"When Did Golf Carts Become Official Military Vehicles?" Topic

And are the little ATVs also represented in miniature gaming, with a half dozen figures on top?

Dan
PS. This actually looks a lot worse that a circus car full of … little people in clown costumes.

The Army was using those type of vehicles since the establishment of the Joint Readiness Training Center at Ft Chaffee and later at Ft Polk. It was vehicle used by the observer/controllers and support staff.

The Airborne and Special Ops forces have so far opted to pursue a ultra light vehicle like the one shown instead of adopting the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle the rest of the Army is fielding to replace the armored HMMWV.

Eureka Miniatures does them in 28mm:

link

Do they typically ride that many per cart?

Dan

@ Dan: "Do they typically ride that many per cart?"

Yes, it is officially designated M18 Cart, Golf Bouncy Thing-a-ma-gig. Nickname: "Whole In Won."It is served by a crew of 4; Driver, Backseat Driver, Assistant-Backseat Driver and, Picker-Upper of Things That Fall Off. The Command version includes a built-in ball washer and greasepaint dispenser kit. They are built under license from the big US firm Caddylac.

"When Did Golf Carts Become Official Military Vehicles?"

When Golf became an Official Military Game

In the past when the Air Force opened a new base, the first thing they would build was the golf course. Then they would tell Congress they need more money to complete the runway.

So is this in the future for our troops?

Dan

Yeah, the quads are pretty popular. Relatively cheap, and available in both gas and diesel versions.

The Airborne and Special Ops forces have so far opted to pursue a ultra light vehicle like the one shown instead of adopting the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle the rest of the Army is fielding to replace the armored HMMWV.

Well, yeah, you need a really big helicopter to haul a 14,000lb JLTV around as a sling load. They don't fit inside any US helicopter, current or planned.

The Polaris MZR Razor, however, does fit inside an Osprey or CH47, at the expense of having zero survivability. It's pretty ironic, the not-street-legal MZR Razor is the same size, weight, and horsepower as the WW2 Jeep and kubel/schwimmwagens (which are street legal).

Caribe, I have to say that those are pretty impressive as a logistical exercise. "40 and 8" indeed!

This makes me want to design and scratch-build a antigravity version of the same vehicle for science fiction special forces.

"It's half the size of a standard grav sled*, but can still carry four marines in battle dress*!"

*Traveller references:
-Grav sled: the usual military term for air/raft, a general purpose grav vehicle about equivalent to large pick-up truck
-Battle dress: powered armor

When were ATVs ever used on a golf course without the user being kicked out?

(PS Lavarack Barracks in Townsville has its own golf course).

When Gerald Ford took out his fifth bystander on the golf course and became an ace?

My employer is the secretary of a golf club. I wonder what he would think of you mixing up an ATV with a golf cart.
youtu.be/LEA0wDZlNqw?t=99

"It's pretty ironic, the not-street-legal MZR Razor is the same size, weight, and horsepower as the WW2 Jeep and kubel/schwimmwagens (which are street legal)"

Brilliant observation and critique…….

Gaz, that observation is actually key to getting a replica schwimmwagen street legal.

You use the parts from one of those MZRs, and a Volkswagen Bug's VIN plate for registration.

There's some guys online that have made a fiberglass mold of an actual Schwimmwagen's boat hull, they want $10 USDk per due to labor in making the hull.

Total cost is about $20,200. USD $10 USDk for the MZR, $10 USDk for the schwimmer hull, and the last $200 USD for the VW Bug's VIN&title.