Battling Beast Of Burden: Why The M26 Dragon Wagon Was The Greatest Heavy Duty Truck Of WWII
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- Опубликовано: 8 июл 2024
- This is the in-depth history of what I believe to be the greatest heavy duty truck of the second world war. The M26 tank retriever was a machine designed with armor, with an engine of 1,090ci, with brute strength, and above all, with loads of practical engineering built in. The truck out-performed every other rig in this role worldwide and was just beyond cool.
With nearly 1,400 produced between 1942 and 1945, many still exist today in the hands of collectors and more. Learn the fascinating story of the small forgotten company that designed it, the massive company that built it, and the fascinating engine company that powered it.
Mechanical history rules! 
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I was blessed to have the opportunity to actually operate one of these awesome vehicle systems. In my time in the military and for 17 years afterward I was a Army Transporter. In 2010 the US Army Transportation Museum at Fort Eustis VA acquired an M26A1 and the M15 semitrailer. This vehicle actually ran. The other two newer tank transporters also displayed do not run. I was there for the unloading of the vehicle from lowboys. No one wanted to drive it off the trailer, so I volunteered. After some work (battery/gas) we finally brought the beast to life. The power steering squeaked but worked. As I was backing off the lowboy, I quickly discovered it had NO BRAKES. However, the friction in the chain drive system made it stop with little effort. I got it coupled with the semitrailer (it took some doing due to lack of lubrication on anything). I backed out of the parking lot and drove it to the far side of the museum to where it now stands proudly for all to see. This vehicle only had 2860 miles and was delivered to the Army in Nov 44 (info on the data plate). Lots of great memories there.
I can relate to Mitch's adventure.
First time in 24?yd Terex scraper, I had to back it onto a lowboy. After getting it running. 2 engines, no brakes! Lol.
Got it loaded on first try thanks to a patient transport guy.
My dad was at Eustis in the 1950s.
@tonyromano6220 : So were a lot of other military personnel, so what's your point and your claim to fame. My dad was in New Guinea from '42-45, and I was in Vietnam from '67-68 too.
What an awesome rig! How cool would it be to operate one of these units ? Spartan! Thanks for the history lesson Lohnes!
@@skipperclinton1087 🥱
My dad was a tracked vehicle mechanic with the 4th Armored Division. He spoke the praises of the big wreckers and the "Dragon Wagon". In fact, the file photo that accompanies just about every book video or movie of the mechanics changing a motor in a Sherman tank was taken while still training in the States. How do I know this? Look on the tank. There is a guy sitting on the forward edge of the Sherman's engine compartment. That guy, with his back to the camera, is my dad. Dad thought the guys were kidding around when they said, "Hey look they're taking our picture!"
That was the standard way to get some rube to turn and look, with great amusement to the other guys.
Understand everyone wanted their picture to get in the paper back home.
Dad was in the war until the battle for Metz, when his team got hit by an artillery shell. Dad was the only one of his 4 man team to survive, although in a coma for over a year.
That's another story in itself.
Dad did recover and died on his 70th birthday in 1979.
He was my best friend, and yes, my hero.
Cheers
Terry
Big thanks to your Dad for service, and what he went through. Truly, "The Greatest Generation"! 😎👍
God Bless you, your Dad and your Family! Your Mom & Dad raised a respectful and gracious son. We are in his debt! AMDG, J. ✝️⚔️🙏🛠🇺🇲
Thanks you all. It means the world to me!
Cheers
Terry
Thanks for sharing that cool story,
refreshing to come across a story that doesn't smack of fiction. finally...
your dad was cool.
I used to build military trailers for a company called Loadcraft Industries. Once the contract ran out, they laid all of us off. It was insanely hard work, but I enjoyed every minute of it. To test the trailers, they had an M1 Abrams with an inactive gun to make sure the trailers could hold them. It was so awesome watching that monster roll up on the stuff that I had created.
Check out military vehicle museum in Dubois Wy. Great guy, great story, ATTEND July 4th parade!! AWESOME
Thanks for shining a light on this great transporter of World War Two! As a tank commander in the Army in the 1990's I would often load my Abrams tank onto the Dragon Wagon's modern successor, the M1070 Heavy Equipment Transporter for hauling to distant locations. I salute the heavy transporter operators who made it happen, then and now.
I’m a lifelong automotive enthusiast, career mechanic, and I love anything to do with WW2! You pretty much checked all my boxes, thank you Brian
14:15 When I started working on big trucks, my boss told me to service a truck. He said it had a V-6 in it. No problem. I got to work then noticed it was much larger than a V-6. I asked him about it. He said it is a V-6. 6 down one side and 6 down the other side. I loved working with those guys.
Hahahahahaha
Your diatribe on war machines is absolutely one of the best.
Thanks Ron!
I always thought a diatribe was a an abusive or bitter rant/criticism towards someone/something, usually in writing. Usually this had a negative connotation about it.
Take a look at the definition of "diatribe". It's not a complimentary term. I think you meant your comment to be complimentary.
@@oldretireddude Maybe he meant "discourse". But, I agree with you.
@@oldretireddude
Don't worry. He won't.
The move Red Ball Express was about truck convoys in WWII. Very good movie
Truly a killer hunk of steel! And the best name ever.
I think so too!
That armoured cab version is the most Mad Max spec truck ive ever seen. Lord Humungous approves.
It totally is!
LOL Mad Max. If Lord Humungous had had an M-26, the gates of the refinery fort would have gone down and that would have been the end of the movie.
"What a puny plan."
~ Lord Humungus
Such a great movie... saw it at the Drive-In when I was a kid. Darn it, I need a Time Machine... 🚀
Fantastic video, Subscribed!
Max needs an Atomic Annie
Gyro Captain comin' in for a landing!
I was enthralled the whole time. Awesome as always. Now I’m going to look around and see if there’s many original or restored examples. I miss machines that were simple, intuitive and perfect.
There are a BUNCH of them and that big engine sounds so good!
Few people appreciate the level of mechanization of US forces in Europe after Normandy, especially compared to other nations. Germany was still largely dependent on horses for logistics that couldn't be handled by train. The role vehicles played in moving and, most importantly, supplying the Allied forces pushing towards Germany simply can't be understated.
WOW. Thanks for making 25 mins feel like 3 mins. The armoured version looks like straight out of a movie. Love it.
And timelless in design !!!!
Fantastic video. I remember seeing pictures of this truck in a book on WWII and thought it was so modern looking for its time. I loved learning about all the practical, bullet proof yet elegant engineering behind it.
I was an US Army trucker almost 45 years back. I do not know about WW II, but when I trucked the weight classification was the off road load. Paved roads we carried twice that. A 5 ton carried up to 10 tons (20,000 pounds).
Thank you for honoring the troops that manned these trucks of service to our country.
Another masterful video from Brian Lohnes! Not just accurate facts but fantastic photo and historical videos to seal the deal. Good stuff Brian! -Steve Magnante
Thanks man!!!
My dad worked in the motor pool during WWII. He used to tell me of the many different engines/vehicles he worked on including this beast. Thanks for the video.
Appreciate you taking the time to give us something worth watching on the ole world wide web.
Brian, you've done the M26 story an absolute credit with this video.🍻
Appreciate you saying that! Love me some huge by large lumbering trucks!
@@brianlohnes3079
Just credit where it due.👍🏻
I love trucks or lorries as we(🇬🇧) call them, so much I got a job in a lorry yard in my teens.
Couldn't get me up at 0800 to go to school but I'd be down the yard at 0500 with alacrity.😄
@@R.Sole88109 alacrity is a fantastic word!
Do many of these still exist?
@@dennisenright9347
Well mate, IIRC there was 2100 made, so I'd be pleasantly suprised if more than 100, in all conditions, are left.
After a quick recce, I've found a PDF of surving Dragon Wagons, last updated in 2018, showing 40 existing.
La Calmette Scrapyard had one*, but it was force to close and I'm not sure if anyone saved it due to the $60.000 asking price.
Edit*
If you Google La Calmette Scrapyard, click on the travellerdave link, there's pics of the Scrapyard showing more than one but bugger knows if any were saved.
This was a great episode. I love all the vids, from lost drag cars, tractors, these obscure military vehicles... great stuff.
Absolutely awesome video !!! I grew up 4 blocks away from one of the engineers who worked on the hydraulic system for the tower that NASA used, specifically the arm of the tower that retracted and turned away from the rocket prior to launch. Although he passed away a few years ago his son is still one of my good buddies who still bracket races the Camaro that he and his Dad built together. Although about 5 years younger than his boy I always enjoyed hearing stories from Senior along with some of the after hours antics when the racing was over and spectators had gone home. The first gen Camaro is still consistently a 5 second eighth mile car with a normally aspirated small block, still brings a smile every time I see it and think of my buddies Dad and some of the pranks that have been pulled.
It’s funny to hear about walking beam suspension in the video as well. When I started my stint as a truck driver I drove an R model Mack with the walking beam suspension and their base 5 speed transmission. The truck rode rough even with the aftermarket air ride cab upgrade. The only time it ever saw over 58mph was when leaving the quarry south east of where I live now. As soon as you left the gate onto the 2 lane road leaving there you began a drop which would allow the truck to coast up to around 75 at the bottom of the hill and worked out perfectly to click the trans into high gear at almost the top of the next hill with the engine revved out against its governor.
That’s a fantastic memory. I was also a truck driver. I was stuck in the “Pride of the fleet” in the form of an ancient international. No walking beam but same sore back. Ha!
@@brianlohnes3079, lol an old spring ride IH was the backup to the Mack when I drove for that guy. Hated that rattling pos with a passion. I can remember when my uncle was swapping the Detroit out of his A model Kenworth, he stretched the frame about 4 feet and added air ride. After bouncing around hauling farm equipment in and out of fields I finally realized why my uncle put in the extra work and money on his old K Whopper. Had my neck popped for me by the headliner of an old large car more than enough times to learn my lesson about trying to get the truck closer to equipment so I could avoid dragging cables and chain to winch one on the lowboy. I honestly feel for ya, it’s a tough way to learn. Eventually I wised up and got back into running heavy equipment instead of busting up my back and knuckles working on old iron.
Man i love military trucks. I especially love many trucks from WW2. The Dodge's, GM's, Wiilys, and so many others. But the Dragon Wagon was such a unique beast that was built.
What about the AEC Matador just as cool as the M-26, the MAT could go anywhere a Jimmy Deuce and a Half be bogged up to its axles, reason why, the Matador has big fat tyres on both axles, it was like a elephant.
There's an M26A not far from me. I had no idea about what the story was about that thing. Now I want to go see if they'll let me go check it out up close. It might even be running since it's not always in the same spot on the farm where it sits
Thanks for another great mechanical history lessen
You gotta check that big fella out!
Until I watched this video, I didn't know this vehicle ever existed. Thanks once again, as always Brian, for a very interesting, educational & entertaining experience. From a Canadian fan who is always on the look out for your next video.
Ron, thanks a million! Back to the drag strip for the next one 🙂
@@brianlohnes3079 Looking forward to it, Brian. Have a great day.
Dude! This technology is so cool! I’ve seen photos of early Mack trucks with chain drive but never knew how they worked. Thank you!
The first time I ever saw chain-drive in person was at the Mack trucks museum. I think I had been introduced to the concept by one or more of Jay Leno's videos on his own collection, but it was surprising to see in person.
Brian, this episode was an absolute treat and you presented it like no-one else can. Thanks for doing what you do and we're looking forward to the next one. Cheers!
Thank you! Transport in the military gets overlooked.
I enjoy all your videos especially the 60/70s odd and historical drag cars but this video about the m26 is fantastic, I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate you sharing your time and research with us about all these vehicles that deserve to be remembered, as I've said before.. thanks Brian for all you do !!!
Thanks Mr Lohnes. Very listenable, the way you presented this was with clear appreciation for history. Because it was so genuine a highlight of interest in the experience and the coolness of a Dragon Wagon, it was captivating.
I learned a lot about the chain drive, so unique and simple and powerful. That rolling beam suspension with the chain drive, those pictures are like the best rock crawler race truck suspension today. That chain makes it flexible so the drivetrain can be locked to the frame and will not move.
Being the age I am I totally understand what you are explaining here , and the engineering behind it. . No fancy gadgets , just things that worked , and did the job they were intended to do. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into these presentations. Many , many thanks.
Thank you for the excellent documentary for a vehicle that hasn't gotten enough publicity. It is amazing what the different people/companies did to create a truly awesome vehicle that helped win WWII for the Allies. What a spectacular beast it was .
Hi Brian, take a look at "Wynns heavy Haulage" here in the UK. They purchased six war time surplus M26 units. Rebuilt the cabs and eventually fitted them with turbo charged Cummins engines. They were called Pacifics. Wynns were the only company to use them over here, and they proved very popular with the crews who operated them. Great subject matter once again Brian. Thankyou.
I am a big Scammel fan! The heavy haulage business in the UK back in the day had some truly amazing machines.
@@brianlohnes3079 Military Vehicles Archive, a magazine range by Kelsey Media, recently covered all five generations of tank transporter used by the British Army, from the Scammel Pioneer to the Oshkosh M1070F. Here's a modeller's review of the Scammell Commander magazine: ruclips.net/video/plyPaMJGvGQ/видео.html&ab_channel=NigelsModellingBench
This is completely AWESOME! Thanks!
Thank you for watching it!!
Great documentary, and the narration was informative, engaging and extremely witty!!
Thanks for this!!
This is amazing story!!! Thank you! You are 100% correct when you say that the support vehicles do not get the credit they deserve.
Even Paton gave credit to the CCKW for helping win the war , along with the Jeep , the Sherman and a couple others
For lovers of heavy old trucks, also check out the British army's WW2 recovery vehicle: The Scammel Explorer 6x6, with outrageous suspension travel on both front and rear axles to keep all the wheels on the ground. Great video, thanks for posting!
Man it's nice to see more M26 love on YT. 10/10 video
I was lucky enough to see a few of these in person at a WWll museum in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. They are absolutely mind boogling in person!
What a great video! My Dad was a gun truck driver and gunner with a mobile anti-aircraft unit, from D-Day to the end of the war. Shooting down a bunch of German planes, including one of the first ME262 shoot downs, all while being bombed and strafed by both sides. I hope you do more World War II military truck videos. It's a subject that's not covered much.
I love it! Nothing catches my eye like the Trucks!! I have an Aviation background, but currently drive trucks. Was nice to hear there is others who share interest in such an underrated asset.
That's one bad ass truck!!! Great story as always!!!
It sure is!
WOW, fantastic truck, fantastic video. Thanks
that's a machine! i really like your narrating skills. i've heard you several times. you are quite good.
Thank you!!
Great video. I heard of the Dragon Wagon, but never knew the spec's. Thats one strong truck.
Interesting to learn how these things came to be.
Thanks for checking this out!!
Brian, this channel tops itself with each and every post, thank you.
Thanks Tom!
THIS RIG IS AN ABSALUTE ANIMAL !!!!!!!! My Dad had 2 Gas Stations I was a Mechanic at one n My Dads C.B. Handle was Dragin Wagon I never real knew what that meant I sure do now !!!!
Operating on old memory here,the unit cost of a late war P51 was about US$40,000 as well.
As to what the usual hourly rate for a skilled tradesman was,I have long forgotten.
Be interesting to compare the price with say the largest of the over the road Mack trucks.
Two completely different applications,but one configured for efficient paved road operation,the other configured for operation at the limit of available technology.
The massive Mack prime movers were big dollar propositions. There is one by me with a 16 cylinder turbocharged Detroit diesel in it. Thing is absolutely beastly.
@@brianlohnes3079 If you refer to a 16-71,those beasts were used for tugboats and fireboats. And a great deal else. Raw power.
I hate that I'm only now learning about this beast! I love learning about all the unglamorous, but crucial, sustainment equipment. Amazing too, given this thing was from the early 40s!
Love your engaging and natural presentation style! A lot of RUclipsrs put on a really conceited 'canned contemplative' tone, where they read their script and pretend to be thinking through emotions spontaneously. It's so refreshing to hear someone who's excited to talk about X, so they just talk about X! Cheers, man!
logistics appreciators rise up
Logistics wins wars
Another great story. Everything about this truck was massive. Keep the great stories coming. God bless you brother
Thanks Joe!
Thank you for this aricle. It gave me a whole new apppreciation for the fantastic efforts by American engineering/ manufacturing that helped USA and Allies win WW II.
Tacticans: We wins battles.
Logisticans: We wins wars.
Engineers: Neither of you go anywhere till I get done.
Man I wish there were more channels like this that would cover things like Sd.Kfz. 8 or 9. The tank people won't touch it, but trucks were cool and important.
I drove commercial for several years. Seeing how it was done in “old days” has always fascinated me. From the old chain drive Mack’s to the development of the tandem drive of today. The chain drive on the m26 would preclude any high speed ability, they just weren't made for that, but the power that could be developed could be quite amazing. Caterpillar Tractor used the same type of drive on there motor graders, and the truck that the British for tank transport was also a chain drive. Thanks for covering this very interesting piece of military transport. Maybe the DiamondT (m19?) would interest us as well.
Terrific video. This is important history as well. Stephen Ambrose writing about D-Day and the campaign in France mentioned how U.S. Army mechanics would just repair anything and everything they could get their hands on, with orders or without. The Germans on the other hand would have a breakdown and just abandon the vehicle. He didn't include that they were in retreat. Still, the Army mechanics were amazing. They quickly sorted out the hedgerow problem in a matter of days. No doubt the M26 was a big part of being able to recover for repair.
I'd like to see more videos or writing on how the various combatants in WWII developed and deployed engineering advances during the war.
Mr. Lohnes... Thank you for another absolutely wicked awesome history lesson!! Absolutely look forward to these... Hope to see you on the Holiday Hooptie challenge this year!!
You and me both. Hahah! Thanks for watching!
You hit the button every time Brian, really cool, obscure stuff beautifully presented.
Appreciate you saying that and watching!
Wow that's an amazing peace of machinery! Love history great video!!!
Thanks Mike!
I worked at a truck stop, one night 4 of these machines rolled in for fuel. The crew were proud of their jobs, and the c.o. was very proud of his dragons! Awesome machines.
Earned my subscription! Well-done history of hero vehicles that get so little publicity, but did such amazing work.
It’s been a long time since I learned so much in such a short amount of time. Great work, Brian.
Thanks for taking it all in!
Thanks again Brian for another great documentary on an (unknown to me) amazing vehicle.
Glad you enjoyed it and now know about the Dragon Wagon!
Thanks for sharing this awesome story!
Thank you for showing this. My late Dad drove one of the unarmored versions in Europe from July 44 to May 45.
The Haul of Fame truck museum in Canterbury, CT used to have a horse that was one of only 8 made. It was built to haul 16 inch guns for battleships. It did not look as big as this. In urgent situations we could load trucks to double their rating as long as we stayed on roads. That was a good pic of the T-90. Good Luck, Rick
Question for you Brian, are you going the the major truck show at New England Dragway in July, if your schedule allows. I love old truck history, especially here in New England. The chain drive trucks were quite common around here into the 1950's. Sterling,and Mack heavy duty chain drive truck built in the 40's were probably still being used into the 70's . with the interstate system being built,and our landscape being mostly ledge,and bolders. The more rugged the vehicles, the better. That's why Mack, and Autocar nominated the truck game around here.
I think I am sadly on the road but the big rig show was one of my favorite days every year as a kid. If you have not ever seen it, find the episode of Put up or shut up we made with the hot rodded rigs.
Unfortunately, I haven't seen that episode. But I've seen many RUclips videos of the racing in Canada of trucks pulling overloaded double B train trailers uphill. The amount of torque needs to yank frost tires 5' in the air at launch is impressive.
Excellent description of a remarkable vehicle!
Many thanks!!!!
The walking beam chain drive is still used today in roadgraders , the chain is enclosed .
Excellent video, with the story I wished was told when this showed up some time ago as a walk-around on The Chieftain's channel.
Thank you for watching it!!
Great story, very interesting! Thanks for posting this!
Trucks are the backbone of both war and everyday life, they are our faithful smokey beasts of burden, uniquely beautiful purpose built machines.
As an Army tanker, we always appreciated our logistical support crews and their big tank recovery machines bristling with every device and having every tool, every set, kit and outfit ever needed on board. Working all night covered in mud & grease, with the tank crew wielding ARC welders, blow torches, lifting hooks, hoists and every cool tool to fix our broken beasts.
I started watching this video with great anticipation to see this what this behemoth was about, and I was not disappointed. We have some great huge transport & massive recovery trucks now, but old school is always cool.😎
Im now cinvinced that Edison Motors is the spiritual successor to the engineering team that built the m26. Extremely practical engineering with every detail painstakingly addressed
Buttons up nicely. Chain drive too. WOW.
They also went through chains every 1000 miles or so. My granddad served with these trucks and hebused to write home how these trucks broke down because the chains got stretched because the oil on them wasn't good enough. On his truck, they built a catch tray so that when the oil dropped down, it stayed in the tray, and eventually, the chain would run through the oil in the tray. He said after that, they never lost oil because it was all in the drip tray. And then the chain was in oil all the time, so wear was down, and the chain stayed cool. My dad was a gear head when he was still alive, so I got all this and soooo many more stories off of him. I'm not a mechanic myself but do enjoy my cars.
An almost unheard of magnificent truck. Thanks for a very in depth review of this friendly monster.
Yooo! Your deep give into old school racing and military vehicles is gonna get quite a following. I've never came across this stuff. I watch Coneofarc and Slapshoes. So this is fitting.
Thank you for sharing your passion
Man what a phenomenally well done video, kudos!
Now that is a truck! Great video.
Thank you for watching it!
Those drive chains have to be the unsung hero's of this behemoth. All that power being transferred to those axles and tires with all that weight behind it, through a couple chains, unreal. The mother of all chains. Plus, the kinetic energy that would be released when those chains broke would be devastating.
In my 63 years I’ve never seen one of those and I have made WWII history a bit of a hobby of mine and I thought I knew more than than most?!?
There are many WW2 vehicles that get no love , some of them exist to this day.
Depends on what type interests you , the machine shops the portable photo and map print units .
Thank you for posting your excellent and detailed video on the M26 Dragon Wagon, Mr. Lohnes. I don't know if you build model kits or not, but Tamiya has a 1/35 Dragon Wagon U.S. 40 Ton Tank Transporter model kit.
I read over a few of people's comments. Man the misinformation given.The last of these machines were in France in 54 at Laroche my dad was a driver and mechanic on this truck. Truck number 509. They had duplex transmission ,Rockwell drive around 35 was top speed I have numerous photos of this truck moving landcraft from beaches to them moving M 40 tanks. They were the last unit in Europe to use this massive machine .He loved working with this truck and the men of his unit.
Fantastic video, very entertaining, thanks a bunch.
Good stuff Brian. I was always a fan of the M2 Cletrac. Like button energized.
I was stationed to a TECOM unit at Ft Benning Ga in 1973. One of the ranges we worked from had an M26 Tractor and a 105 Sherman in what I would call near new condition along the primary berm. We used the M25 tractor as a shelter during lunch or heavy rain. The darn thing was huge.The M4 was also a great shelter but cramped and we enjoyed "playing" with it at the time most of us were 18 or 19 years old.
As a post WW2 follow on to the M-26 truck, there were one or two cab over engine experimental heavy recovery truck designs that were produced & evaluated, & these trucks had dual wheels on the front, & at least one of the truck designs was steered by a center pivoting front axle assembly (which mounted two front axles, I believe), with the front axle assembly, that operated rather like a train locomotive's trucks (which are a locomotive's wheeled undercarriage assemblies) except that on the experimental truck design, the front axle pivoting was powered, to steer the truck.
But the overall design of these experimental trucks was somewhat similar to the M-26's design, but probably had more power & other improvements. I forgot the the manufacturer & "M" designation of these experimental trucks, but the trucks looked "science fiction" cool, to me.
An amazing feat of automotive engineering
This was the best you’ve done and that’s really saying something.
Standing beside a unmuffled Hall Scott 1100 engine, used to pump irrigation water, was a real thrill. 1985, retired from running 24hrs/day. In my minds eye, I can still see the exhaust manifold glowing in the dark. Way out in the field a half a mile away, the mighty roar was unmistakable.
You are a true gearhead, keep up the good work!
A brilliant story! There is a full tour of the ‘Dragon Wagon’ with the chieftain. I am certain it’s searchable.
Having been a truck driver since the mid 80's, a mechanic for a few of those years, and a big fan of much of the military surplus heavy trucks, this video has struck a sweet spot. Paccar, Spicer, and Fuller are all products I have seen throughout my career. And I find it fascinating to see the principals applied in this M26 that had carried over into the private sectors two and a half decades later. I am learning things today! And, Mr. Lohnes, I am a huge fan of your work in the drag racing community.
Thank you for posting this Brian! This is very well done. I've been on a dragon wagon kick lately and am currently building a 1/35 model of one and have been trying to digest everything out there about them, and this is fantastic. They are/were insane rigs. Long time fan of your work and interests (great job on your monster truck articles and of course your NHRA work!). Thanks for all you do!
Has anyone covered the guys who cleaned up the battlefields of the dead? What unit was charged with this duty?
My old Uncle Albert, deceased now, was assigned to the "War Graves" unit, tasked with locating and recovering soldiers' remains. He never talked about it, I'm sure he saw some horrible things. He returned home later, but in another few years was recalled to Army service in Korea. The only thing he'd say of Korea (with that Thousand Yard Stare) was "It was cold, so cold." He lived into his 90s.
I drove one of these while I was in a traveling circus in the 1970's. It pulled the top!