Mirrors... *sigh*

[pfarber]

I guess I am just a better driver than most.

A good CCKW driver will adjust his driving technique and operating speed to match the efficiency of the mirrors.

A good CCKW driver LOOKS AHEAD. At what point is your forward speed determined by your rear view mirror? The Army had specific rules for backing. First is the Assistant Driver gets out and guided. The second is the DRIVER gets out and looks. Its all in the TM.

Gotta have the RH Mirror no matter what tho, as safety is most important. If one studies enough WWII CCKW photos, they will encounter the occasional CCKW with a RH Mirror that was probably salvaged from a scrap CCKW.


The Army had specific reasons for not putting a lot of mirrors on CCKWs. First, they were not needed. Safe backing involved a guide, or getting out and looking. Lastly was shiny objects attracted unwanted attention. Yes, material for mirrors was scarce, but then why did a JEEP have a mirror?

Remember, the reflective material used to coat mirrors and sealed beam reflectors was in short supply in WWII and the drivers learned to get by with one mirror and dim headlamps.

Not in short supply, just didn't want to waste it when getting out and looking or using a guide was more practical.

I love the WWII optics and drive accordingly. The long line of traffic behind me comes with the territory. Driving with care is more mportant, it also is easier on the paint of my accelerator pedal.

Again, what does a rear view mirror have to do with traffic behind you? Think of it... in the UK you drove on the left. How less useful is an outside mirror on the LEFT side of a truck? There is nothing but sidewalk and people there. Yet in all the years of CCKWs in the UK, not once was it directed to put them on the right side. Why? THEY WERE NOT USED WHEN DRIVING.

Now, in right side of the road driving they serve a purpose.. but the Field of View (see the April 44 AM) is so small that you cannot see anything out of a small 5 in round mirror for 6 feet away. You may ask 'what about right turns'? Well, a right turn is made from the right lane. A CCKW is a bear to get around a corner, but no matter how many mirrors you have, if some idiot driver that wants to try and sneak under you, they will.

Ain't it funny how some folks can pound the TMs like it was the Bible, yet ignore it when it doesn't suit them?

[47lincsled]

I could never figure out why on the open cabs there were two holes on the passenger side that just happen to fit the mirror bracket perfectly but they just have bolts in them? And if you have ever tried to back a truck by yourself with a top without a rear window that passenger side mirror make a big difference, which is why I'll be using one on my truck!