Introduction

The basic principle of a semi trailer is to haul cargo while attached to a tractor unit. The US during World War Two developed many vehicles used for trucking materials across the war zones. Semi- trailers played an important role in delivering mass quantities of supplies quickly.

The Book

US WWII Semi Trailers for Autocar, Federal & IHC Tractor Trucks is a 48 page book published by Tankograd publishing. Edited by Michael Franz, the book is a reproduction of US Army Ordnance Department Technical Manuals. It includes text in both English and German throughout the book. As the title says, the book describes semi trailers for tractors of 4 tons and over. In the book only 6 trailers are covered ranging from general cargo to van bodies.

Details

Each of the 6 trailers covered have a lead page of text describing the development, description, and a table for technical data. The 6 trailers covered in the book are:

5 ton Stake and Platform Semitrailer Model 516
10 ton Stale and platfor Semitrailer Model 1025
6 ton Can Semitrailer Model LV 019
Signal Corps Van Semitrailer Model K-78A
10 ton Pontoon Semitrailer Model 1938
25 ton Pontoon Semitrailer Model 1940 in three types.

As to be expected all of the diagrams and pictures are clearly reproduced. Some of the scans from the technical manuals are a little small but most of the numbers can still be read. Each trailer covers 8 pages of the book with many detailed pictures and up close shots from the technical manuals. When these trailers where to be moved by vehicles without 5th wheel attachments, the dolly’s for the trailers where used to make them into 4 wheeled trailers. Each section on the trailers has diagrams and information on the dollies for the specific trailer.

Photos of restored vehicles are also included with the sections where available. There are also photos of the development of the trailers and training pictures of the troops in action while deploying the trailers cargo.

Conclusion

The book in my opinion is a very good value for the money. It covers an obscure set of vehicles that made such an important contribution to the war. Extra reference is limited on these vehicles to a few CD reproductions of the TM’s. The only thing that I wish was included was more information on the trailers and maybe some scale plans. If you’re looking for a good all around reference book on US Semi trailers, then look no further than this Tankograd book.

Most of these trailers are not available in kit form. With the few stake trailers available, they are resin items and are somewhat expensive.

My thanks to Tankograd Publishing for the review sample.