Ford GPA

Common card · No. 433277

The Ford GPA "Seep" (Government 'P' Amphibious, where 'P' stood for its 80-inch wheelbase), with supply catalog number G504, was an amphibious version of the World War II Ford GPW jeep. Over 12,000 were made, serving with Allied forces in World War II, from D-day onwards, throughout Europe and the Pacific theatres. After the war as surplus they found many niche roles, and today examples can be found in museums collections or at military history shows. Design features concept was similar to the larger and successful DUKW amphibious 21⁄2-ton truck were used on the GPA, but unlike these and the jeep, the 'seep' was not as successful a design. It was considered too slow and heavy on land, and lacked sufficient seagoing abilities in open water, due mainly to its low freeboard. Despite this it did have widespread use across the theatres of WW2. The Soviet Union received one third of the total GPA production under Lend Lease, and were sufficiently satisfied with its ability to cross calmer inland...

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