onetrack Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Hi Onetrack, The olive drab photo is of a convoy of Freuhauf trailers, second is same as the front one - note the curved side at the rear of the swan neck. Not seen any like your trailer, but that WW2 photo says it all in terms of authentication as a WW2 trailer! These trailers are not very well documented - USAAF had various designs of trailer used as mobile repair units and mobile training units, as did the U.S. Army (e.g. photographic labs). The main problem being they were sourced from a variety of manufacturers, who used / adapted their standard civilian designs. These curved front step frame vans were commonplace in USA before the war and were a generic design. Like you I'd like to learn more about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetrack Posted November 10, 2012 Author Share Posted November 10, 2012 (edited) 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. Edited November 10, 2012 by onetrack spellink .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Well I'm at least 51% certain I'm right!! :-D There's confidence for you :undecided: I recall seeing a high resolution version of this image, but I can't find it at the moment. I'm fairly confident this image on the Burma Road is of a USAAF convoy. What I did find however was this shot of a twin axle trailer in use by USAAF in India, and quite possibly headed for the Burma Road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 What I did find however was this shot of a twin axle trailer in use by USAAF in India, and quite possibly headed for the Burma Road. Tony, I think the photo is of a single axle trailer, check the wheel arch. What might look like a second wheel just could be a man standing behind the trailer ....... or a mudflap. :undecided: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynx42 Rick Cove Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 Onetrack, Looks like you have answered your own question. You won't get a much better lookalike than that. Like the camouflage , bit different for Australia. Regards Rick. http://www.territorystories.nt.gov.a...le/10070/27962 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 (edited) Tony,I think the photo is of a single axle trailer, check the wheel arch. What might look like a second wheel just could be a man standing behind the trailer ....... or a mudflap. :undecided: Whilst I'd be the first to admit I sometimes see what I want to see, if you were able to study the original photo enlarged Richard you would probably conclude as I did that it is a twin axle trailer. Not only that but the middle of the wheel arch has sustained impact damage with a crease running up the body side, and (probably as a result of this) the side door above the bogie has not been closed properly. :whistle: Edited November 11, 2012 by N.O.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 Whilst I'd be the first to admit I sometimes see what I want to see, if you were able to study the original photo enlarged Richard you would probably conclude as I did that it is a twin axle trailer. Not only that but the middle of the wheel arch has sustained impact damage with a crease running up the body side, and (probably as a result of this) the side door above the bogie has not been closed properly. :whistle: Apologies Tony, I had not enlarged it, but the damaged wheel arch played tricks and it looked to me like someone standing behind the trailer. Must make a note ....... call Specsavers :embarrassed: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 (edited) No need to apologise, Richard - what I posted was a low resolution version of part of the photo. I was was so worried I'd jumped to the wrong conclusion that I got up early to find the photo online again so I could recheck and inspect the high res. version which you did not have the benefit of seeing. :sweat: Edited November 11, 2012 by N.O.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mammoth Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Thankyou to Onetrack for initiating this thread. I have yet to get under the trailer to do a thorough search for any maufacturer marking but can can provide some details which might assist. The project got slowed because the wheels turned out to be Budd wheels (ie 285 pcd) with 22" rims. Since tyres that size (22" 10.00) default to the same shopping list as rocking horse poo I have sourced 20" Budd wheels. There are "beehive" clearance lights high up back and front which are of the same pattern as fitted to Wylie steam kitchen trailers. and as the American trailers don't seem to have these. I am now wondering if these trailers were built in Australia. The springs are underslung and there are two air brake chambers with a mechanical pull cable as park brake. The frame work consists of U section RSJ for the main frame and square RHS for topsides. RHS would have been a specialist product back then. In order to treat rust and replace some sections all the sheeting will have to come off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mammoth Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 makers plate has been located (above turntable skid plate) The trailer is a Fruehauf 12 ton gross, model FF430 DFS serial No 85008 It has full air brakes and runs on 10 X 22" tyres on 10 stud Budd rims (ie 285 pcd) No further information has come to light so if the above numbers offer a lead to identification I would be grateful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mammoth Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 I now have some definitive identification on this trailer. They were operated by Air Force and known as "gas trailer", so called because because they serviced the oxygen tanks used by air crew. Typically they would be parked on the edge of an air field, or more usually, at a distance (as in the case of the one photographed near Darwin at McMinns Lagoon) to avoid enemy action. Photos provided by Trevor Shelton who is looking for a Reo 6x6 It is not known how may of these trailers came to Australia, possibly mine may be the very one seen in camoflage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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