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This vehicle is not currently on display at the Museum
During the 1930s the US Army like the British Army, was desperately underfunded. They only seriously began to mechanise in the early 1940s. Despite a firm desire not to be involved in other people's wars, it became increasingly clear that it would be wise to be prepared.
Vast purchases of military equipment by Britain had financed the setting up of new armament factories in the USA. When Pearl Harbour in the Territory of Hawaii was attacked by Japan in December 1941, the USA entered the war and was able to increase military equipment output.
The common layout for US military trucks had been established in the 1930s and the favoured design was a normal control (long bonnet) truck with, in most cases, 6 wheel drive. Load capacity was usually underquoted to allow a large overload in emergencies. Dual rear wheels were the norm.
A huge range of such trucks was produced in load capacities ranging from 2½ tons to 12 tons. The heavier trucks often filled the role of tractors for artillery or in some cases tank transporters. One such heavy duty six wheeled truck was built by Ward LaFrance and, unusually, only a recovery variant appeared. The first type, the M1, used a civilian pattern sheet metal cab but a later version, the M1A1, used an open cab with folding canvas top. Production of the M1A1 was shared between Ward LaFrance and Kenworth. REME used both variants, the early versions mostly in the Middle East and Italy. Most were provided under the Lend Lease Agreement.
The powerful main winch and power operated lifting crane made the Ward LaFrance a very capable recovery vehicle much favoured by those who used it. However, the twin rear wheels of the Ward LaFrance caused problems in rough terrain. Stones and battle debris became lodged between the tyres and if the inner wheel was punctured, removing and replacing it was complicated. For this reason many preferred the less sophisticated Scammell whose cross country performance on single tyres was much better although its winch could not match that on the US vehicle.
The Museum's example is the earlier version, the M1 Wrecker.
Length |
7.92 m (26 ft 6 in) |
Width |
2.51 m (8 ft 3 in) |
Height |
3.10 m (10 ft 2 in) |
Wheelbase |
4.57 m (15 ft 1 in) |
Front Winch |
13 US ton capacity |
Rear Winch |
22 US ton capacity |
Crane lift |
9¾ tons (max) |
Engine |
Continental 8.2 litre 6 cylinder petrol |
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Page produced by Peter Eldred - Last updated 24 July 2004