Goncalo Mendes Posted May 2, 2013 Share Posted May 2, 2013 (edited) Hello, While searching my files, I found this photo of a Autocar wrecker. As this subject seems to be rare in information, I tought to post it. Note the rear winch and the absence of the 5th wheel. Photographer Paul Miller (White Dog) Source: It is very similar to the one in a famous Tarawa photo, (dated March 1944). source:http://images.google.com/hosted/life/9d825fd09a771aa4.html This could this be a later civil adaptation, post-war, but is also possible that a few more existed than previously considered. I have read in other forum that the navy bought several Autocar chassis to serve as recovery wreckers, but I tought they had U type cabs. Source:http://www.trucksplanet.com/catalog/model.php?id=1930 I always had read that it was a "one-off" truck, maybe for Naval or Marines aviation, however there are photos of similar wreckers in Torokina and Vella Lavella airfields at the same time frame: Torokina December 1943 (quoted original source: USMC) Vella Lavella (December 1943), see the wrecker in the image center source: Engebi airfield, 18 May 1944. source: http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=129836#p129711 More information and images welcome, feel free to post! G_Mendes Edited September 12, 2016 by Goncalo Mendes post image credit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted May 2, 2013 Share Posted May 2, 2013 Some great research there, Goncalo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted May 2, 2013 Share Posted May 2, 2013 According to Bart the same crane was fitted to an Oshkosh 4x4 truck, perhaps they used a similar cab to the Autocar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goncalo Mendes Posted May 3, 2013 Author Share Posted May 3, 2013 Thanks NOS! Bart, I didn't have the idea that OshKosh made 4x4 with cabs similar to Autocar.New to me! Just a updat, it seems that one of the U-70/90 cab type wrecker survived, despite a rusted state...! If it was a prototype, it still exists (at least in 2010)! Restored, it would be a fantastic unusual display truck! Compare this: source: larger: A front view, look at the top of the crane/boom frame: source: (From other photos, its seems to be in a wooded area, with a lot of old trucks from the 1940 early-1950. All civiliam type cabs, Sterlings, Diamonds, Autocars, Internationals, etc.) Whith this: Source:http://www.trucksplanet.com/catalog/model.php?id=1930 G_Mendes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r radbill Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 The truck in the first photo and the "Tarawa" photo is an Autocar model U-8244-T 4 X 4 Crane Crash Tractor built for United States Navy Bureau of Aeronautics on contract NXs-5056 by The Autocar Company Ardmore, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. 30 were built in 1942 and 60 in 1943 for a total of 90. It has a wheelbase of 156" , weighs complete with cab, crane and fifth wheel 21290 Lbs. U-8244-T is powered by a Hercules RXC 6 cylinder, 529 C.I.D. with 51.3 A.M.A. horsepower. It is equipped with 12.00/20 14 ply, Bus Balloon, Sure Grip or A.W.T. type tread. The crane is a US6 T (military) with 3M607K-604K winch , FC-2 gear box (7Y-1350) manufactured by Gar Wood Industries, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. The crane has a telescoping boom from 14 to 22 feet. It can lift maximum 16000 Lbs. @ 14 feet 60 degrees and maximum 6000 Lbs. @ 22 feet 10 degrees (almost horizontal) Interestingly U.S. Navy trucks of this type were fitted with turn indicators. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goncalo Mendes Posted June 4, 2013 Author Share Posted June 4, 2013 Hello radbill, Many thanks for the info! New to me! Where did you find it, I have searched a lot and I never seen it. Feel free to post photos, or any other information! Best regards, G_Mendes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r radbill Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosrec Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 fantastic info thanks for posting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r radbill Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 The first photo in the last post by me had the image reversed. It was so printed in the instruction manual where these photos came from. The last photo in the last post is of my Dad driving our Autocar U-8244-T to the sandblast shop from where it was stolen. The two photos in this post are taken in front of the Autocar factory in Ardmore , Pennsylvania across Lancaster Avenue from the main plant. This building still stands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goncalo Mendes Posted June 14, 2013 Author Share Posted June 14, 2013 (edited) Radbill, these are fantastic photos!!! I'm sure that they are unique in the internet, and priceless too. Many thanks for sharing! G_Mendes Edited June 14, 2013 by Goncalo Mendes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
us042 Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Hi, Does anyone have anymore photo's of the Wrecker in action?. The factory pictures are SUPERB to say the least . Regards, Brett. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinga Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 I believe that I have the autocar U8244T pictured at Tarawa in VanDerVeen's book. I would love to hear from interested people and will post photos later. The numbers that are slighly visible on the bonnet are VMD154 indicate that it belonged to a US Marine Corps Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron. Exciting stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinga Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goncalo Mendes Posted February 28, 2016 Author Share Posted February 28, 2016 Hello Sir, Please could you put more photos? Its look to be a very interesting truck, and would be a great restoration! Cheers, G_Mendes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinga Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 Update! Tarawa Autocar U8244T The cabin has been rebuilt as have the engine and gearbox. Just pulled a transfer cover out of a wreck and about to fit. Photos to follow. On behalf of Dinga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goncalo Mendes Posted September 12, 2016 Author Share Posted September 12, 2016 A shot showing a autocar U-70 wrecker in wartime at Bronson Field, 1944. Look at the upper left corner of the photo, the cab and boom are visible in the background. source: http://s1068.photobucket.com/user/mam121061/media/Bronson%20Field/14207801_1799470056965649_4050128230012050936_o_zpsdfdi38pn.jpg.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goncalo Mendes Posted February 4, 2021 Author Share Posted February 4, 2021 (edited) Find a new image of remains of the U-70 wrecker, in the "Haul of Fame Museum". Seems to be taken in 2016. It would be great if someone restored it, looks to be a rare one. This image is a frame from a youtube video, by Anthony Lucibello, dated 06/01/2016. source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeDHdVJCf_M Edited February 4, 2021 by Goncalo Mendes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goncalo Mendes Posted February 4, 2021 Author Share Posted February 4, 2021 From a russian page: Source: http://www.gruzovikpress.ru/article/11039-avtomobili-vms-i-vvs-armii-ssha-perioda-vtoroy-mirovoy-voyny-neizvestnye-soyuzniki/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.