onetrack

Rob, I've sent you a couple of PM's, but as yet, no reply. My mate's father owned a 3 ton single drive Vulcan, and it's been scrapped - but he kept the maggy, the headlights and the radiator off it. I now have some pics of the items. Check your P.M's. Cheers - Ron.

Terex supplied a total of 46 of the 82-30B crawler tractors to the British Army, in two batches - 23 in one order in 1979 and another 23 in a second order in 1981. I understand they were called the RE Heavy Crawler Tractor. There were no design changes between the civilian and military versions of this crawler tractor. These are very late model Terex crawlers, and are very well equipped with rippers, blade, and fully enclosed cab. It's very obvious the tractor in the photos is virtually brand new and has never turned a track in any serious work. The USMC also took delivery of 255 of the earlier 82-30 model, between 1967 and 1972. These tractors were only fitted with a blade, they had no cab or rippers. The Terex dozers weren't too bad a tractor, but the GM 2 stroke diesel exhaust note can get annoying after many hours of work. They were a basically reliable tractor, but they suffered from a number of design failings, such as the rear mount radiator, which resulted in long coolant lines that could cause problems. GM sold their earthmoving division to IBH of Germany in 1981 and got out of the earthmover construction industry. However, the CEO of IBH, Horst Dieter Esch, was a crook who indulged in financial fraud on a huge scale, whilst trying to build a massive construction empire. IBH folded in November 1983 when the fraud was discovered. GM were never paid in full for the Terex purchase, and became involved in a number of massive lawsuits to try and recover their losses from the IBH deal. GM eventually took repossession of Terex, as well as a number of the assets sold to IBH, such as factories, and then sold them again individually to other parties. However, the IBH collapse saw the end of the Terex earthmover brand and production of these machines, although some left-over new machines were sold off in 1987.

N.O.S. - I beg to differ, but I'm of the personal opinion that the 1st and 2nd trailers in the 1945 Ledo Rd photo, are different. The roofline appears to be different on the second trailer, and appears similar to the squared-off roofline of my friends trailer - rather than the rounded roofline, with the downwards "arrow" feature in the roof gutter rail of the 1st semi-trailer. The 3rd semi-trailer is different again, and appears to be a tandem. We've been advised that these following names, were just SOME of the trailer manufacturers who supplied the military during WW2: American Body & Trailer Black Diamond Dorsey Fruehauf Highway Hobbs Hyde Keystone Kingham Miller Strick Truck Engineering Utility Watson Winter-Weise There were apparently several more manufacturers, this is not a complete list. We have a suggestion that the trailer was originally a Keystone make - a "dog" or "pup" trailer, fitted with a front axle as well. This scanned page definitely shows a very similar trailer. The informant has stated that the outline of the outer body where the drop in the deck occurs, is a sharp angle on the Keystone trailers, and is rounded on the Fruehauf trailers.

Hello all! - I am seeking some help with the ID of what we think is an American WW2, mobile workshop semi-trailer. A friend has purchased this trailer for restoration, just managing to beat the scrapman to it. It is believed to be a U.S. Army workshop trailer, but we can find nothing to ID it precisely. Here are some photos of it, as purchased: I have discovered a solitary photograph taken in 1944, of the same or an identical workshop trailer at the "18½ mile camp", at McMinns Lagoon, just South of Darwin. http://www.territorystories.nt.gov.au/handle/10070/27962 I can find no other records of any kind, relating to this style of mobile workshop semi-trailer. We would like to be able to ID the trailer manufacturer, the military "G" or "M" model number - plus any other info that might be useful. All other WW2 mobile workshops I have been able to find, were truck mounted. We are interested in finding out exactly what purpose this trailer was built for (specific purpose, or just GP?) - and whether it is as rare as we think it is. I have found pics of a somewhat similar design semi-trailer here (number two in the line): http://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_autocar_u7144.php ... but the trailer in the photo above, is not identified - and neither can I identify whether it is a workshop trailer or a general freight trailer. Any assistance would be much appreciated!

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/beaten-track/news-most-incredible-tank-graveyards

I think the bloke who is the subject of the discussion, is a complete idiot, and possibly even a WALT. One can be forgiven for simply wearing just a camo jacket, or a greatcoat, or a combat jacket - after all, lots of this sort of stuff has been sold in military surplus stores since 1945. However, to wear officers attire, or something that resembles officers attire, in a slovenly manner, and with incongruous medals attached, leaves one open to charges in most countries - and derision at the very least, if no charges can be pressed. I earned my 5 medals and I only wear them on ANZAC day marches. Medals and uniforms that represent extensive training, experiences, skills, and qualifications, should not be treated with disdain, or with a casual attitude. The WALTS page - http://www.anzmi.net/cases.html

That stuff isn't shrapnel from WW2 by any stretch of the imagination. Bits of wire and screw shanks aren't even contained in the worst of modern IED's. WW2 mines were cast iron, and the fragments look nothing like what is shown in the pic. I'm inclined towards thinking they're coffin screws and staples. Either that, or the old bloke liked chewing and swallowing bits of metal. It's not unknown as an odd habit.

G'day, all! It appears an official intro is part of this forum, so I guess I'd better post one. I've been registered and looking at the forum for quite a while, but only had need to put up a post today. I'm a retired Vietnam Vet, an Engineer (RAE), with an interest in old machines, old trucks and old cars. I'm not specifically into military collecting or restoration, but I like to study up on engineer/vehicle/machinery aspects of WW2 items. I have a workshop with a few "resto projects" on the go - but none of them military! This site is pretty interesting, keep up the good work! Cheers - Ron.

Rob - Do you have any headlights for this truck? I was speaking to a mate in Queensland today, and he casually mentioned in passing, that he had a set of old Vulcan truck headlights that he was considering putting on one of his old restored Caterpillar tractors. If you're interested, I could find out if he would part with them, and what they look like. He restores old Cats and earthmovers, so he has sympathy for anyone doing restorations. I discovered your restoration via your request on the HCVC forum. Cheers - Ron.