| M25 Tank Transporter | |
|---|---|
 M26 tractor. | |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1941-1955 |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Knuckey Truck Company |
| Manufacturer | Pacific Car & Foundry Co. |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 22 tons |
| Length | 7.7 m |
| Width | 3.3 m |
| Height | 3.2 m |
| Crew | 7 |
|
| |
| Armor |
front 3/4 inch sides, rear 1/4 inch |
Main armament | .50 cal M2 machine gun |
| Engine |
Type 440 6-cylinder gasoline engine 240 hp |
| Suspension | 6x6 |
Operational range | 400 km |
| Maximum speed | 26 mph (42 km/h) |
The M25 Tank Transporter was a heavy tank transporter and tank recovery vehicle used in World War II and beyond by the US Army.
Nicknamed the Dragon Wagon, the M25 was composed of a 6x6 armored tractor (M26) and 40-ton trailer (M15).
Development[]
In 1942 a new 40 ton semi-trailer tank transporter was required. This was to offer better off-road performance than the M9 24-small-wheel trailer, and greater capacity than the 30 ton 8-large-wheel Shelvoke and Drewry semi-trailers, then in use with the Diamond T tractor unit. This new trailer was designed by the Fruehauf Trailer Company (based in Detroit, MI).[1] A new tractor unit was required, as this heavier trailer was more than the Diamond T could cope with.
The M26 tractor was designed by the San Francisco-based Knuckey Truck Company. When Knuckey's production capacity proved insufficient the Army awarded production to the Pacific Car & Foundry Co. of Seattle, Washington.
Designated TR-1 by Pacific Car, the 12-ton 6x6 M26 tractor was powered by a Type 440 240 bhp 6-cylinder gasoline engine developed exclusively for it by Hall-Scott (although also used to uprate the Diamond T). Some 2,100 Type 440s were built.[Clarification needed] Baxter[1] notes "over 1,300" M26 and M26A1 being built.
Unusually, the tractor unit was fitted with both an armored cab and two winches with a combined pull of 60 tons.[1] The intention was that as well as hauling the tank transporter semi-trailer, the tractor unit could itself be used for battlefield light recovery work.
A later unarmored version of the M26 tractor was designated the M26A1. An experimental ballast tractor conversion was experimented with by the British FVPE[1]
Service[]
The M26 entered service with the US Army in Europe in 1944-45.
U.S. Nomenclature[]
In the nomenclature system used by the U.S Army Ordnance Corps Supply Catalog this vehicle is referred as the G160.
Specifications[]
- Crew-7
- Armament 1-.50 cal. machine gun
- Armor, front-3/4", sides, rear, 1/4".
- top speed-26 MPH
- fuel cap, 120 GAL.
Users[]
- US Army
- British Army[1]
- JGSDF
See also[]
- Diamond T tank transporter
- Scammell Pioneer Semi-trailer
- G160, "G" designation
- List of U.S. military vehicles by model number#Pre consecutive truck numbers
- Pacific trucks
References[]
- War Department Technical Manuals (Reprints by Portrayal Press, P.O. Box 1190, Andover, NJ 07821)
- TM 9-767 (40 Ton Tank Transporter/Truck-Trailer M25)
- TM 9-1767B (Power Train for Tractor Truck M26, Component of 40-Ton Tank Transporter Trailer, Truck M25)
- TM 9-1767C (Body/Chassis/Winches for Tractor Truck M26, Component of 40-Ton Tank Transporter Trailer Truck M25)
- SNL G160
- TM 9-2800 Military vehicles 1947
Further reading[]
- Military Vehicle Journal #8 (Photos of the M26 and M26A1)
External links[]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to M25 Tank Transporter. |
- Short story of the M26 and pictures of a restored vehicle in 2004
- Article and photo at milweb.net
- Scratchbuilt M25 model step-by-step, with pictures and references used
- http://www.realmilitaryflix.com/public/378.cfm training film[dead link]
The original article can be found at M25 Tank Transporter and the edit history here.