Brian shared this photo that shows a couple APUs with the hood bumps.
Another APU Photo
December 10, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images • TAGS: apu. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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apu Research Archives
3 Wheel APU Photo
This photo that Dan spotted shows an l-head powered 3-wheeled APU. I can’t remember seeing a bracket over the grille like that on other APUs.
1951 CJ-3A Valentine APU Jeep on eBay
Nick’s jeep was just featured in the most recent issue of Dispatcher Magazine.
View all the information on eBay
Where do I even begin? This is a very rare and authentic piece of military history; it may be your only chance to own a vehicle like this. If you search “APU Jeep” this very Jeep is all over the internet. It is a 1951 Willys Jeep CJ3A, but was specially contracted by the US Navy to be used as a mobile power unit. This is known as an APU (auxiliary power unit). It’s sole purpose was to start early jet-aircraft as they did not have on-board starters. It utilized a PTO-driven generator off the transfercase and fed power through cables to the jet. The equipment was so heavy duty, the Jeeps were equipped with larger engines that weren’t even available to the public yet. Two different manufacturers built these Jeeps: A company named O.E. Szekely which a handful of Jeeps are left, but none have any of the original jet equipment. They are only known by their data plates. The other company was Valentine Welder & Co.
O.E. Szekely-built Ford-Powered 4WD APU **SOLD**
September 14, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Other 4x4s • TAGS: apu. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
UPDATE II: Another of these surfaced in 2019.
(12/18/2016) Rudy just purchased this rare and unusual O.C. Szekely-built Ford powered four wheel drive APU. It’s got a an Szekely badge and an O.E. Szekely stamped transmission. I don’t recognize the transfercase, which falls to the driver’s side rather than passenger side.
Thanks to some careful research, Rudy discovered that this vehicle was one of eight deliver to the military on August 25th, 1953. Specifically, “”The vehicle is a specially built two passenger 4X4 truck powered by a FORD eight cylinder engine. . . . A generator mounting chassis, located between the seats, supports the two generators and generator drives” and the “transmission that incorporates the transfer case is designed to transfer engine power to the generator drive”. O. E. Szekely dropped off eight of these vehicles to a shipping service on August 25th, 1953.”
Nick’s APU Has a Generator
Nick & his Valentine APU
Nick’s got an update on his APU:
“Last week the stars aligned for the Valentine APU. For months, Tom and Arno have dug through vintage photographs and literature to see what the correct generator was for the NA-4 APU. We finally had it figured out: a Jack and Heintz G32. What would you know, a single G32 was actually for sale on eBay! It was unreal.
The owner purchased the generator from California where it was completely rebuilt. His original plan was to build an electric car with it, but the project was never started. Having original paint was the cherry on top!
This weekend I pulled the PTO system off my Jeep and unseized the shifter. Everything else worked great. The generator slid into the shaft like a glove, and the bolt pattern was perfect. I still can’t believe it.”
More on APUs
Nick and tom have been continuing to research the APUs. They have some additional photos and documents to share, along with a story from Dennis Flynn, a former driver of an APU. Below is his tale, along with a photo of him now and of his former self in an APU.
Dennis Flynn photographed in an APU jeep and one of him now.
Dennis wrote,
I was 18 I made 3rd class Petty Officer and was put in charge of a 12 man start/tow crew working the flight deck on the USS Hancock CVA-19, Essex class attack carrier built in 1944 scrapped in 1976.
Early version of the jeeps used in the 40’s and early 50’s, the yellow ones were mid 50’s through mid 60’s. and cut down quite a bit. The rear axle was moved to the front and steering was done using two small wheels mounted in the center rear, the hood bulge was done to clear the carburetor since the body was lowered. ( it was like driving a tricycle backwards ) and they were pretty squirrelly to drive. A governor was placed on them to keep the top end at about 14mph.
My friend of mine and myself had one torn down for a valve job and had the ships machine shop mill the head, port the intake and exhaust and we made up a split exhaust manifold and removed the governor. While at sea and when we were not flying we tried out our work. Jim took off at the front of the ship (The flight deck was 888 feet long) By the time he got to the Island he was going 65mph. Then trying to stop (this had brakes on the front axle only and they were not all that great to begin with). He was doing pretty good with getting it stopped when he started running over the 1” arresting cables on the rear causing the Jeep to bounce and really get sideways. Jim did manage to stop it about 8 feet from going over the aft end of the deck. We were going about 20 knots at the time and the flight deck to the water is 68 feet down. We both got a super royal ass chewing from the ships executive Officer but neither of us got busted. (I didn’t lose my Petty Officer stripes that I had just made, but I was also the Ships Captain’s driver so that might have saved me)
I made up a “Bragging Card” for us stating that we set a world’s record for a gas driven vehicle on a flight deck while at sea. Jim is still alive and is one week older than I am and I turned 74 last October. When you are young you think you are invincible, It was a great memory and thankfully no one was killed.”
Dennis’ “Bragging Card” for setting a speed record in an APU.
Tom unearthed this government quote for 75 Valentine APUs, one of which would have been Nick’s. Given this info, Nick’s Valentine modified APU (#19) might be the only one left in existence.
Here are some APU related photos:
1953 CJ-3A APU Wichita, KS **Not For Sale**
UPDATE: **Not For Sale**.
Looks like it has an APU hood and a blue star hardtop.
“Very Solid Willys, NO RUST!!!!!
OHV 4 Cyl.
31″ tires. Have stock wheels and tires.
Blue Star Aluminum Hard top.
Mastercraft seats.
Very fun to wheel, but sat in the garage last couple years.
Clean Title! So no dealing with trying to get a title.”
Looking For More APUs
Tom Sterndale is looking for more APU jeeps. He’s go some information to help people understand if they have an APU jeep. You can contact him at tosternd@gcasda.org
DO YOU HAVE OR KNOW OF AN APU JEEP?
Description — Auxiliary Power Unit : Shelf Propelled Electric Power Plant : Jet Starter
Data Plate Name — O.E.Szekely & Associates or Valentine Welding Company
Body Alterations:
Hole In Floor Behind Shifters
May 1958 Leathernecks w/CJ-5 on eBay
I believe this is a CJ-5 APU, though it could provide some other service. Either way, it’s something I’ve never run across.
“Leatherneck
Volume XLI Number 5
May 1958
in
Very Good Condition.”
View all the information on eBay
Update on Nick’s Valentine APU
UPDATE: According to the Willys Spring Reunion Facebook page, this might make an appearance at the Willys Spring Reunion in May!
Earlier this month Nick put together a video and some more pics that showed him picking up his barn find: the 1951 CJ-3A APU jeep modified by the Valentine Welder and Manufacturing Company. It’s a neat looking rig.
Here’s what Nick wrote: Hidden in a barn since 1962. As of Feb 5th, 2016 this is the only known Jeep of its kind. Valentine Welder purchased frames from Willys Overland, and converted them into what’s called an APU (auxiliary power unit). These were fitted with PTO-driven generators that started early jet aircraft. O.E. Szekely also made APU’s, but this is the only known Valentine and also the only original Navy paint of both companies. After a bunch of research I believe this was used on the USS Wasp (CV-18). I have the original government release paper and maintenance manual. It is truly a museum piece.
Here’s the video:
And, this is a link to the G503 page where he has posted more information and photos (lots):
http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1566726#p1566726
The Valentine CJ-3A APU?
The whose-it-what-huh? I’ve did a few searches and added some more info following the jeep photos.
BACKSTORY: A few months ago Nick discovered someone with an APU. We assumed it was a O.E. Szekely modified APU, as that’s the only type anyone had unearthed. That’s why Nick was shocked when he took the time to visit the man with the APU. There, he discovered it was made by the Valentine Welder and Manufacturing Company. Once he saw it, he knew he had to have it. He made an offer and bought it. Nick shared more over at G503:
http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=84&t=268433 or
see more pics here: https://imgur.com/a/LCz7B
Update on Tom’s CJ-3A APU
Tom’s been working on the restoration of this CJ-3A APU. He’s wondering if anyone knows anything about the three-wheeled APUs that were auctioned in California about five years ago. He’s hoping to find some of the hard-to-find APU equipment.
Here are a few photos of the APUs sold a few years ago:
Here’s how he started, with a jeep he didn’t know was an APU. Since then he’s been learning more about them.
1952 CJ-3A APU Pittsburg, CA **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1500.
This looks like an excellent APU restoration project. This O.E. Szekely Mobile APU jeep has the holes in the dash for the extra gauges. Learn more about APUs here. The grille addition isn’t something standard (that I have seen).
“1952 WILLYS 4×4 CJ3A. Great project!! needs accelerate linkage has new uninstalled gas tank otherwise complete. ”
1954 M-38A1 Abilene, TX **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2800. Was listed here. Might be an APU (see comments)
“Good restoration project… all original parts… email me for more pictures. You don’t find them in this condition very often.”
1947 CJ-2A Chicago/Valparaiso **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $500.
The owner contacted me and sent a photo of what this jeep looked like prior to the work that was done. It appears this was some type of APU jeep. Note the hood and the holes in the dash.
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October 1950 Rare APU Press Photos on eBay
April 16, 2014 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images • TAGS: apu. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
APU Hood Numbers
February 21, 2014 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images • TAGS: apu. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
Tom Sterndale was wondering if any knows the numbering system behind these Navy APU Hood numbers. Thanks to Aron for this great photo.
The O.E. Szekely Mobile APU Navy Jeeps
I recently rewrote and published an article about APU Navy Jeeps for war jeeps.com. You can check it out here.
1952 CJ-3A Victorville, CA **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $6000. Appears to have an APU Hood.
This has lots of mods.
“1952 Jeep Willys 4×4 small blk 350 with AMC rear end superior one piece axle w/ Detroit lockers 4 speed trans. $6000 OBO. ”
Year? MB? APU Lucerne Valley, CA **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
This has the APU hood. Unclear if this was a converted APU flattie or if the hood was added later to this flattie. Only half hour left in the auction:
Proper Markings for a CJ-3A APU Navy Jeep?
Tom was wondering if anyone knows what the proper markings for a CJ-3A APU Navy Jeep might be? He’s been restoring a Modified by O.E.Szekely & Assoc jeep, but can’t find any information on the markings. I didn’t have any luck either.
This page show some markings on the APU jeep on the bottom, but are those correct? My understanding is that the vehicles were purchased by the Navy. I’m unclear how many were used by the Marine Corps: http://www.ewillys.com/2013/03/25/the-o-e-szekely-apu-navy-jeeps/
The O.E. Szekely CJ-3A APU Navy Jeeps
I’ve been assembling some information on the O.E. Szekely and Associates Navy Jeeps built from CJ-3A parts. These were used to act as “Self-propelled electric power plants” on land and on battleships. They were made in three-wheeled and four-wheeled versions.
There is also a report that O.E. Szekely served 3 1/2 years in the USNR. This may have given him the contacts necessary to arrange the contract(s) for the APU Jeeps.
Link to a discussion on the CJ-3A Page
Link to a discussion at G-503.com
Some great photos from WillysArgentina of APUs
1. UPDATE: I dont’ know why I labeled this an APU. It was definitely in the Navy, but after further review, I see no reason to think it was a Szekely jeep. It is a Four wheel CJ-3A with a L-head that was listed here http://www.ewillys.com/2010/04/28/1951-navy-cj-3a-denver-co-ebay/
2. Four wheel CJ-3A APU with a F-head (and hood bump). The two extra gauges were added as well. Here are a couple pics of Tom’s jeep.
3. Three wheel CJ-3A APU with a L-head.
Article from July 1951 issue of Popular Science Page 142
4. Three wheel CJ-3A APU with a F-head (and hood bump). The APU pictured in color below is from the Miramar Marine Corps Air Museum in San Diego
1953 CJ-3A APU Greenville, SC *SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $700.
“1953 Jeep Willys — $700.00
We purchased the jeep to restore. It needs body work and motor.
It has a Car Craft Hard Top, 2 Doors, Fenders, Grill and Hood.
This jeep has so much potential. It’s a classic.
700 OBO”
1952 CJ-3A Springdale, WA **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2500. Could have been an APU.
“I am posting this running and driving 1952 Willys Jeep for a friend. This is just sitting around and there is some one out there that will enjoy this more than he can. This is a nice candidate for a restoration or just a driver as most every thing is still intact. Has origonal flat head 4 cyclinder motor that has been gone through. This was used as a plow vehicle before he bought a new tractor. The blade is gone now as it was sold ,but the 4×4 works and there is also a heavy duty winch still intact. Would like $2,500 obo.”
1952 CJ-3A APU American Fork, Ut **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1000. It’s an APU hood.
Brent spotted this ad. He noted that the body appears to be a CJ-3A, yet the grille looks to be a M-38 grille. So, I can’t say for sure if the foundation for this is a CJ-3A or a M-38. The bumper on this kind of looks DJ-3Aish as well.
“1952 Jeep Willy’s. Runs. Rancho 2″ lift, brand new Interco Super Swamper TSL SX tires.”
