| 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 | |
| Crew | 7 |
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| 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 |
| Speed | 26 mph |
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).
Contents |
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. Baxter[1] notes "over 1,300" M26 and M26A1 being built.
Unusually, the tractor unit was fitted with both an armoured 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 unarmoured version of the M26 tractor was designated the M26A1. An experimental ballast tractor conversion was experimented with by the British FVPE[1]
The M26 entered service with the US Army in Europe in 1944-45.
In the nomeclature system used by the U.S Army Ordnance Corps Supply Catalog this vehicle is referred as the G160.