February 27th, 2010.
GoldComet6:
The Air Force had a long tradition of using essentially civillian trucks slightly modified to meet their needs, and the M880 derivatives, like the M715 derivatives, were the first serious attempt by the military branches to come up with a lower cost vehicle for use in the states and in non combat zones. We had a 1967 Step Van (Chevrolet) with a Union City body on it, about 12 or 14' in the bed, and when gotten from DRMO (back in theearly 1970's), it had been modified with a "Follow Me" sign on the back, red and green lights (I guess for which way to turn or stop) and racks for small bombs or tanks (oxygen?) and tools in the box. Apparently it was used to guide B-52's to their revetments. The mileage was very low and the condition excellent, with only the Strata blue paint showing fading from being out in the weather a lot.
The truck above is interesting, but as it has a gas engine, it will eat fuel worse then the CUCV 1010 series ambulances. Still, a useful vehicle if it runs.
Cheers,
Kyle F. McGrogan