David EilersSeptember 10, 2013

Target Practice Jeep at Page Field in Fort Myers

Notice the track and the guide below the front of the jeep's bumper. This photo came from Mission4Today.com

"Several students at Page Field in Fort Myers (ca 1945) with a jeep, the mechanical mule of the army that carried a target around on a circular cement track. The jeep itself was protected by a large embankment in the background. The students are over the right side of the embankment and shoot at a target."

4 Comments

STEVESeptember 10, 2013 at 4:51 PM
I wonder if the target jeep is unmanned in use as there is an auto steering mechanism?
deilersSeptember 10, 2013 at 6:30 PM
I suspect it was unmanned. I think they just turned it on and let it continue down the track.
dougSeptember 11, 2013 at 2:30 AM
My dad was an aerial gunner on a B17 during WW2. He mentioned a setup just like this when he was in gunnery school-a jeep behind a berm carrying a target for them to try to hit with their machine guns. He said that the jeep was visible for just a second, and all the gunners tried to hit it at that moment!
Brian in FentonSeptember 11, 2013 at 3:29 PM
Reminds me of a high school buddy who worked at the (golf) driving range, driving the tractor to pick up all the balls. We would spend $1 for a bucket just to try and 'bean' his chicken wire cage on the tractor. We would all laugh when we made him flinch. The old Ford N was dented on every surface. Other adult (good) golfers would join in the fun. (My game has not improved much since.)