Yankee Air Museum's M-37
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:41 pm
Yankee Air Museum's M-37 Parade ready!
The Museums truck is an early 1952 model and was converted to the M-42 configuration at some point in its career. When we started on the truck, most of the M-42 parts were long gone, so it was decided to build the truck up as a basic M-37.
The truck was given a cosmetic restoration in 2005 by the Yankee Skonk works team, it was decided in 2007 to go over the truck again to make it a good driving parade vehicle, so the brakes, fuel system and tires were replaced and the mechanicals were given a going over.
This truck is a work in process; we still need to get the wiper motors and arms, front drive shaft, spare tire carrier (in bed type) and one spare wheel. We would also like to re-wire the truck as the original harness is quite dried out, acquire a set of top bows and bed canvas and other cosmetic improvements. If you happen to have any of these parts, or any M37 extras, please contact us. Of course, monetary donations are always accepted.
Interested in helping maintain this truck? Drop us a line.
The markings
The truck was marked with the distinctive colors of the 8th Transportation Group, 124th Transportation battalion, 523rd Transportation Company (LT)
The 8th Group ran transport operations along Route 19 in the Central Highlands from the costal town of Qui Nhon to Pleiku. The 8th group became famous for its improvised gun trucks, used to defend the supply convoys as they wound their way along route 19 and “Ambush Alley”
During an intensive year from Sep 1967 to Sep 1968, the enemy continually ambushed the 8th Transportation Group in an attempt to close Route 19. They failed. By the end of that year, the 8th had delivered 596,572 tons of cargo and over 4 million gallons of fuel, driving 7,331,924 miles. **
The distinctive yellow stripes were employed to help the commanders orbiting above in helicopters identify which units convoy he was looking down at.
Special Thanks to those who helped so far!
Gratiot Wheel and Tire Supply
www.gratiotwheel.com
*Information courtesy of olive-drab.com
**Information courtesy of the US Army Transportation Museum
BEFORE
AFTER
The Museums truck is an early 1952 model and was converted to the M-42 configuration at some point in its career. When we started on the truck, most of the M-42 parts were long gone, so it was decided to build the truck up as a basic M-37.
The truck was given a cosmetic restoration in 2005 by the Yankee Skonk works team, it was decided in 2007 to go over the truck again to make it a good driving parade vehicle, so the brakes, fuel system and tires were replaced and the mechanicals were given a going over.
This truck is a work in process; we still need to get the wiper motors and arms, front drive shaft, spare tire carrier (in bed type) and one spare wheel. We would also like to re-wire the truck as the original harness is quite dried out, acquire a set of top bows and bed canvas and other cosmetic improvements. If you happen to have any of these parts, or any M37 extras, please contact us. Of course, monetary donations are always accepted.
Interested in helping maintain this truck? Drop us a line.
The markings
The truck was marked with the distinctive colors of the 8th Transportation Group, 124th Transportation battalion, 523rd Transportation Company (LT)
The 8th Group ran transport operations along Route 19 in the Central Highlands from the costal town of Qui Nhon to Pleiku. The 8th group became famous for its improvised gun trucks, used to defend the supply convoys as they wound their way along route 19 and “Ambush Alley”
During an intensive year from Sep 1967 to Sep 1968, the enemy continually ambushed the 8th Transportation Group in an attempt to close Route 19. They failed. By the end of that year, the 8th had delivered 596,572 tons of cargo and over 4 million gallons of fuel, driving 7,331,924 miles. **
The distinctive yellow stripes were employed to help the commanders orbiting above in helicopters identify which units convoy he was looking down at.
Special Thanks to those who helped so far!
Gratiot Wheel and Tire Supply
www.gratiotwheel.com
*Information courtesy of olive-drab.com
**Information courtesy of the US Army Transportation Museum
BEFORE
AFTER
