San Diego Military Vehicle Preservation Association |
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Chapter Meeting Recap & Upcoming Plans
We held our first Meet and Greet, and a big thank‑you goes to P2K Sports for providing the meeting room. We had ten attendees—and enough food for twenty‑five, so no one went hungry. The group covered a range of topics, including our chapter’s history and purpose. Phil Kern brought his mobile Mule Museum, and we definitely need to give him more time at a future meeting. We also welcomed several new members, which is a great start to our growth efforts.
Our next meeting is scheduled for November 5, 2026.
Events & Parades
Several parades and events are coming up, and with the great weather we’re hoping for strong participation. Bring your family—this hobby is more fun when shared.
Membership Growth Ideas
We discussed outreach opportunities to help expand the chapter, including:
- Kiwanis, Elks, and other civic groups
- VFW and veteran organizations
- Local museums and schools for “touch‑a‑truck” events
- Reenactor groups, historical societies, ROTC, and Sea Cadets
If you have contacts or ideas that can help us grow, please share them.
We Want Your Submissions
We’re actively seeking member contributions—thank you to those who have already sent in photos and articles.
Submission deadline: the 20th of each month
We’re looking for:
- Vehicle photos or current projects
- Military vehicles spotted locally
- Technical write‑ups and restoration progress
- Event recaps
- Ideas for events and recruitment
- Click here to submit
Website & Merchandise
The MVPASD website has been updated, and we’d love your feedback.
We also have vehicle magnets and decals available, and we’re exploring chapter t‑shirts for event visibility. If you’d like a shirt, please let us know.
Get Involved
We have several upcoming opportunities to meet fellow enthusiasts, share knowledge, and enjoy the hobby together. Bring your family—they’ll enjoy the rolling history as much as you do.
The new member handout cards!
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Military Vehicle Show – La Paz County Park, Parker, AZ
March 26–28 Recap
The sixth annual Military Vehicle Show at La Paz County Park brought together about 40 vehicles and trailers, 20 vendors, and roughly 80–100 attendees along the Colorado River. Hosts Colleen and Mike Colgan once again pulled off a smooth, well‑run meet.
Heat, Shade, and Swapping
Temperatures ran hotter than usual, so most of us spent the days hydrating and shifting our chairs to stay in the shade. A light breeze helped, though the midday heat slowed a few vendors down. The tables were full of interesting finds—some items you definitely don’t see in California anymore.
Evening Events
The program kept everyone engaged:
- Thursday: Potluck dinner
- Friday: Air‑conditioned gathering with drinks, a welcome from Supervisor Duce Minor, a lively military history talk by Brig. Gen. Gene Spicer, USARNG (Ret.), and a well‑stocked raffle
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Saturday: More swapping, a short MV run to the off‑grid Desert Bar, and a screening of MASH in the pavilion
Attendees praised the location for its range of lodging—from hotels to RV spots to dirt camping—plus nearby food, cheaper fuel, and the unbeatable riverside setting. Watching the sunset with a beer while boats and aircraft pass by never gets old.
If the weather cooperates next year, this meet will stay a top‑tier event. Thanks again to Mike and Colleen—everyone truly appreciates the work they put in.
Thanks to Phil Kern for this update and submission!
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Upcoming Events and Possibilities.
Let us know if you're interested in attending!
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La Mesa Cruise Night
Thursday Evenings we are invited to display at La Mesa Lumber Parking Lot after they close at 4:30 pm on the following days.
Opening night June 4th, July 2nd and August 6th, 2026
Trailer parking is available and we will probably convoy down the boulevard during the evening.
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Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial
May 25, 2026 Volunteers needed to shuttle guest from parking lot to memorial cross. We are looking for two Vietnam Era Vehicles for display and 2 vehicles to shuttle guest. 9:30 am start to about 1:30pm. Contact us if you're interested.
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La Mesa Flag Day Parade
June 13, 2026 Parade steps off at 10:00 AM
Marches west through the La Mesa Village from Memorial Drive to Acacia Avenue. La Mesa VFW has requested seven vehicles with room for transport. Line up at 9:00 am should be done by noon! Forms available for participants.
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The Grand Encampment at Fort Flabob
June 11 to 14, 2026 Flabob Airport in Yurupa Valley, CA. Military vehicle campout, parts/militaria swap meet, WW1&2 Reenactments, veteran displays, vehicle parades and Saturday night 40’s era Swing Dance.
Info: SCMVCC.com or Lorie Ann Rodrigues LA@legionsix.org
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MVPA National Convention Fisherville, VA
June 19 to 21, 2026 is the 51st Annual MVPA Convention in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Central Virginia's Augusta County Expo Center More information click here to follow.
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Forth of July Parade Alpine California
July 4th, 2026 is the 250th birthday of our great nation!
Please let us know if your participating ASAP
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Broken Yolk Car Show Rancho San Diego
Saturday August 29, 2026 2963 Jamacha Road, El Cajon, CA 92019 from 8:00 am to 2 pm. This show charges a $25 fee to display.
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Military and First Responder Vehicle Show
Sunday October 4th, 2026 from 10 am to 3 pm at P2K Sports 2082 Willow Glen Drive El Cajon, CA 92019. Awards in 3 categories.
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Membership Meet & Greet
Thursday November 5th, 2026 6:30 pm at P2K Sports 2082 Willow Glen Drive El Cajon, CA 92019. In the Classroom.
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Veterans Day Parade San Diego and USS Midway
Wednesday November 11, 2026 in San Diego. Save the date and more details to follow.
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Saint Patrick's Day Parade San Diego
Saturday March 13, 2027 Details to follow.
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Rancho San Diego Cars & Coffee (Monthly)
First Saturday of the Month from 8 to 10 am. 2502 Jamacha Road El Cajon 92019
Please let us know if you have other cars and coffees or Trucks and Tea or HMMWV and Hamburgers.
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Any events we missed?
Please let us know if there is additional events we can add to the list. Don't forget photos! We want them!
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Wings, Tracks, and Wheels 2026 Brings History to Life in Chino California
The Planes of Fame Air Museum hosted its annual Wings, Tracks, and Wheels event this past weekend, drawing military history fans, aviation enthusiasts, reenactors, and families from across Southern California. Billed as the region’s largest gathering of military vehicles and reenactors, the 2026 edition delivered an engaging blend of air‑and‑ground history.
Airpower Meets Armor
Visitors enjoyed vintage aircraft flights, RC tank and aircraft demos, and access to the museum’s renowned warbird collection. On the ground, military vehicle owners displayed an impressive lineup including restored Jeeps, a half‑track, two Kubelwagens, an M20 Greyhound, and several rare support vehicles. Reenactor encampments added depth with period uniforms, weapons, and field gear.
A Standout Demonstration
One of the weekend’s highlights was a coordinated demonstration featuring the museum’s fully operational 1942 Sherman tank and an L‑3 Grasshopper spotter aircraft. The live maneuver showcased how armored and aerial units worked together during WWII, offering spectators both excitement and historical insight.
The event once again proved to be one of Southern California’s premier living‑history gatherings. The MVPA San Diego Chapter expressed enthusiasm about expanding its presence for 2027, continuing its mission to preserve and share the history of military vehicles and the people who operated them.
Thanks to Dan Berg for the submission and update!
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MVPASD Membership
Our membership is easy and free! You need to be a National Member of the MVPA (Military Vehicle Preservation Association) Click here to join then select San Diego MVPA as your affiliate! Easy!
Display your profile Iconon MVPA with pride MVPASD number! Email us.
| | Jon B. shows off his new MVPASD magnet on his Auto Car Halftrack! Great Job! | |
Please submit your photos for upcoming Newsletters! Click Here
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How a Douglas Connector Assembly Works
Each wire uses the same basic stack of parts (in order):
- Outer shell (male or female)
- Metal bushing (except 12 AWG)
- Rubber grommet
- Crimped male terminal (pin)
Then both wires’ pins slide into opposite ends of the connector body, and the shells twist‑lock together.
Choosing the Correct Terminal (Pin)
The terminal must match the wire gauge because the rear opening is sized for the conductor.
The tip of all terminals is the same size, so they all fit the connector body.
Terminal Part Numbers
Wire TypeAWGTerminal PNOld PNM13486/1‑316MS27148‑3572931M13486/1‑514MS27148‑2572929M13486/1‑712MS27148‑1572930
Assembly Steps (Practical Walkthrough)
- Slide shell → bushing → grommet onto wire
- Strip insulation so the bare wire just fits into the terminal
- Insert wire fully into terminal
- Crimp using the correct crimp tool
- Repeat for the second wire (using the opposite shell type)
- Apply a thin film of dielectric grease
- Insert each pin into opposite ends of the connector
- Slide grommets down
- Slide shells together and twist to lock
Key Notes & Tips
- Dielectric grease:
- Recommended: DuPont Molykote 4 (formerly Dow Corning DC4)
- Acceptable: Permatex dielectric tune‑up grease
- Shells:
- Same shells work for 12, 14, and 16 AWG
- Bushings & grommets:
- 14 & 16 AWG use the same bushing + grommet
- 12 AWG uses a larger grommet with no metal bushing
- Vintage Power Wagons sells the correct large grommet
Patric Vargas
1952 Dodge M37
SN 80030594
Production Date: June 1952
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Members Project! M37 Dashboard
How it always starts
You think:
“I’ll just swap the gauges. Easy.”
Then you pull the panel and suddenly you’re staring into:
- brittle 70‑year‑old cloth‑covered wiring
- splices done by someone who definitely wasn’t an electrician
- connectors that crumble when you touch them
- paint layers thick enough to qualify as geological strata
And at that point, you’re not fixing the truck anymore — you’re archaeologically excavating it.
The dashboard rabbit hole
Once you saw those paint flakes coming off in sheets, you didn’t have a choice.
A dashboard that’s been painted 4–5 times is basically a lasagna of bad decisions.
Stripping it down and repainting it in USMC semi‑gloss Forest Green is the right move.
That color looks fantastic on an M37 dash — clean, crisp, and period‑correct.
And the wiring?
Yeah… once you see the rat’s nest, you can’t un‑see it.
This is where Douglas connectors, Packard connectors, and proper MIL‑spec wire start to matter.
You’re doing the job the way the truck deserves — not just patching, but restoring.
The truth about old military trucks
Every MV owner learns this lesson:
There is no such thing as “just one small job” on a 70‑year‑old military vehicle.
You touch one thing, and three more things volunteer for attention.
But that’s also the charm — these trucks reward every bit of care you put into them.
The good news
You’re doing it right.
You’re already deeper than you planned, but you’re also going to end up with:
- a clean, freshly painted dash
- brand‑new gauges
- reliable wiring
- proper connectors
- a truck that’s safer, cleaner, and easier to maintain
This is the kind of work that pays off every time you turn the key.
Submitted by,
Patric Vargas
1952 Dodge M37
SN 80030594
Production Date: June 1952
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Thanks to P2K Sports for the email Newsletter program.
MVPASD Contact info@mvpasd.org WWW.mvpasd.org
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