Army Trucks (since 1945) - USA: Books - History and Models

Ordnance Maintenance 2 1/2 Ton 6x6 Truck - Technical Manual (TM 9-1819AC / TO 19-75 CAJ-4)

Commonly known as the "Deuce-and-a-half", the M135 was a soft top 2 1/2 ton, 6x6 truck made by General Motors Corporation for the U.S. Army and Air Force. It came in a variety of configurations, including ambulance, dump truck, gasoline, water tanker and more.
The M135 was developed from the CCKW model used in WWII. By far the most common variant was the cargo version which could carry a dozen soldiers or loads of supplies. A double-wheeled version designated M211, and a tractor trailer model M221 were also widely produced.

All were powered by the six-cylinder GMC 270 gas engine. Most came equipped with an early automatic transmission, the 5- or 6-speed Hydramatic. Additional performance features include air assisted power brakes, a 24-volt electrical system and sealed, waterproof ignition. The suspension featured front axles with auto engage. The top speed for the M135 was 58 mph.

The weight of the M135 truck is between 12,330 and 12,740 pounds depending on the additional features, which sometimes included a Power Take Off (PTO) driveshaft system. This powered a winch that was located on the front or rear of the truck.

Created in 1952, this technical manual reveals a great deal about the M135's design and capabilities. Intended as a manual for those charged with maintenance, it details every major component of the truck.
Originally labeled restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

Covers the models: 2 1/2-ton Cargo Trucks M135 and M211, Dump Truck M215, Gasoline Tank Truck M217, Tractor Truck M221 and Water Tank Truck M222.

Army Department Technical Manual TM 9-1819AC / Air Force Department Technical Order TO 19-75 CAJ-4

Vietnam Gun Trucks (Osprey)

While Vietnam is usually perceived as an infantry war, with US forces deploying by helicopter, the long supply lines that led to their inland bases had to be traveled by ground vehicles. The 8th and 48th Transportation Groups were responsible for hauling supplies through the long, dangerous roads of Vietnam, and they often found themselves the target of ambushes, attacks, and sniping. In response to this, vehicle crews began to arm trucks with machine guns and armour them with sandbags. While these proved less than ideal, the concept was considered valid, and more and more “gun trucks” appeared, sporting heavier weapons and armor.

Written by a Vietnam veteran, this book traces the development of these gun trucks from the jury-rigged originals to the powerful armoured vehicles that appeared later in the war.

Contents: Historical background and the need for gun trucks - Organization of transportation units - The Army convoy system - VC convoy ambush tactics - The 2-1/2-ton M35A2 cargo truck - The 5-ton M54 cargo trucks - Gun truck armament - Examples of gun trucks - Quad .50 machine gun trucks - Misc. gun truck vehicles - Gun truck employment and counter-ambush tactics - Landing clearing operations - Counter-mine and mine clearance techniques - Assessment.

Dragon Wagon (Part 2) - A Visual History of the U.S. Army's Heavy Tank Transporter 1955-1975

"Dragon Wagon" is the second in a series of titles covering the U.S. Army's Heavy Tank Transporters. The first volume covered the M25/M26 Pacific family of vehicles and trailers during their service in WWII and Korea.
Part 2 picks up the story with the successor to the Pacific; the magnificent 10-ton M123 tractor.

The unarmored M123 soldiered on through the 1950s and Vietnam while paired with the modernized M15A1 and M15A2 trailers from WWII. It was also paired with the next generation of heavy trailers, the M747.
Also covered is the rare and unusual M746 tractor with service pictures of its brief career. Photo coverage includes lavish color shots of the M123 in Vietnam, as well during development and testing.

M911 and M1070 HET: Heavy-Equipment Transporters of the US Army (Legends of Warfare)

This book explores the mechanical details and military use of the M911 C-HET and M1070/M1070A1 HETS and their associated trailers. These vehicles are tasked with transporting the US Army's heaviest weapons - the M1 Abrams tank and other armored vehicles.
In a departure from previous generations of tank transporters, which were designed especially for this task and built at great expense, the vehicles in this volume utilize numerous components from the civil market in order to lower cost and ease maintenance.

The Oshkosh M911 C-HET and the M747 trailer typically used with it are first examined, then the newer M1070, M1070 armored cab conversion, M1070A1, and M1070F and the M1000 trailer used with the M1070-series tractors are studied.
These heavy haulers are revealed in outstanding detail in this volume, which features both combat and detail photos. Hundreds of color and black-and-white photos put the reader in, on, over, and under these massive machines.

Navy & Marine Corps Fire Apparatus 1836-2000

Take an exciting look at Navy & Marine fire apparatus used at shore installations worldwide. See rare and fascinating photographs such as horse drawn vehicles, early-motorized fire trucks, unusual vehicles built for special operations, commercial and custom chassis and military fire department ''built'' trucks.

View trucks built by all the major U.S. and worldwide manufacturers, such as American LaFrance, Darley, Fire Trucks Incorporated, FWD, General, Global, KME, Mack, Maxim, Peter Pirsch, Pierce, Seagrave, Ward LaFrance and many others.
See structural pumpers, aerial ladders, water tankers, crash trucks, brush trucks, special units such as gas turbine powered pumps, traced vehicles, and remote controlled robots. And who can resist exciting action photographs of Navy fire apparatus performing at fires!