Hello,

Does anyone know if a tractor version of the CCKW 353 cargo truck used by the US in WWII existed. Also what trailers would it have pulled. Any pics of it would be appreciated.

Thanks

Matt

I have this kit that includes the tractor-trailer combination pictured below. It is in 1/32 scale, but the prime mover is not like the picture. The actual model has the U-shaped cut outs and not doors. The roof is also a canvas softtop. While I do not know if it is a 363, it is definitely a 2½ ton tractor trailer. I'm guessing this is a post-Korean War/pre-Vietnam War truck.

Rob- first off thanks for the pic. Now would i be correct in assuming that the trailer is probably 24' long and 7' tall, with a step up towards the front?

Thanks for the help

Matt

I know the CCKW 353 tractor is listed in many texts, but I can't find an operational photo of one. Seems like the ton-and-a-half Chevys were more common, with the "cattle truck" stake bed. Check Mr. Roo's albums in the gallery on this site -- he has TONS of CCKW pics, maybe the one you seek is in there.

I got this one from the Deuce-and-a-Half Register http://remlr.150m.com/6x6/index.htm

Is this the tractor you are looking for? The photo of the model is an early M35 engineers style tractor. These were gas engines and had the lower headlights. A lot of the trailers in WW2 were 24 feet to 28 feet in length. Yopu can find a lot of photos of these old trailers in Roos Archives in the photo gallery.

Wow, you guys are great. Thanks for the pics Bob, and Dave thanks for the info and the pic.

Thanks again

Matt

The only GMC-CCKW tractor unit was a bolster truck. I have only ever seen one photo of it and it has a lot of extra equipment on it so just putting a fifth wheel on the back is not good enough.

Almost all the 6X6 tractor units were Studebaker US6 trucks. The 4X4 tractor pictured is a Chevrolet G7001 and not a GMC.

I did however find this pic in the AWM data banks and it shows an Australian RAAF GMC-CCKW tractor. This is an Australian conversion and not a standard US vehicle.





hope this helps

US Military Wheeled Vehicles by Fred W. Chrismon has a photo of a 2 1/2 ton tractor with a mobile machine shop semitrailer at Ft Benning in March 1942. He says the tractor version of the CCKW was vary rare.

Here is a scan from Military Modelcraft, Febuary 2004 showing a GMC-CCKW bolster truck.

Caption reads "the tractor has a fifth wheel added allowing the 'T' shaped trailer fitted with two pontoons to be towed"

Original Photo by Gary Norris (England)

Here is two scans from TM 9-2800 1943 showing two types of bolster trailer. BUT be warned these, at 25 ton loaded, would have needed something a little bigger then a GMC to tow them.

Thanks for the info guys. This will help with m y heavy haulers campaign entry.

Thanks again.

Matt