I got to operate one of these rigs in Korea,in 1961 or 62.We were stationed at Ascom Depot and when the Turkish Armed Forces Company rotated out of Korea all of their Tanks were sent to Ascom.We were then tasked to transport the tanks to Incheon.The tanks were US built M46&M47 models,We were using the sheet metal cab version of the tractor and we were told that the trailers had been reinforced for the extra weight.Funny old rigs only had one rear differential. The rear wheels were actually chain driven,we carried OE10,to put in the chain oilers so the chains would not get broken.The one we used had a dual ignition system and 12 spark plugs in the six cylinder engine.Fastest I was ever able to go under power was 21 MPH,empty flat out.
Charles, thank you for your service and that great personal take on this old truck. I think that's the first I've seen anything mentioned about its speed. I would have guessed it could at least keep up with a Sherman tank!
I have been fascinated by this vehicle since the 60's when I first learned of its existence. I had never known how this vehicle worked and this video did a decent job of showing it in action answering many questions I've had about the Dragon Wagon! Thanks so much for finding and uploading this video. I was in the US Army from 1970 until 1979. I have seen the M 88 and M 578 recovery vehicles in action and this is the icing on the cake! I am astounded by what brutes these recovery vehicles are that can manipulate and transport armored vehicles.
Came here after looking at a small part of the extensive series of training films on the WW-II British Scammel recovery system. Night and day. The Scammel system was an assembly kit of various bits (mostly very heavy) that had to be carried around and put together in the field, with crew having to walk precariously on the very high slippery trailer deck. Even the trailer landing gear was carried disassembled on a rack, and had to be assembled on site. We would call the Scammel Rube Goldberg, they'd say Heath Robinson. Thanks for posting!
Cdn Army had a number of the M26A1 trucks and used a folding goose neck trailer developed by the Cdn Army to transport/recover Centurion 53 ton tanks. They had the MG ring on the cab but no armour plate. They had soft canvas plastic covers for all side windows /doors and the MG ring for winter operations. Also had 50 ton winches fitted behind cab for recovery work. Often use din conjunction with D8 bulldozer for the recovery work. Always had a problem with the Ross power steering in the winter when it was more than 30 below.
Everything had to be sized to fit on a ship to be sent overseas. The American logistical system incorporated forward field repair to keep equipment available for use.
@tubelizzard You're welcome. I wish the quality was a little better. I've got another similar video to post, this one about how to field assemble a P47. Cool stuff. :D
It’s interesting they don’t lay something on the line like modern winching recommends. Can you imagine if that line snaps? You know some GI got fucked up back in the day
@1968hambone Me too, since I was a little rug rat with my motorized Tamiya model kits running around in the back yard, LOL. It's interesting to see these back in the day "vids."
This is great, thanks for posting. At the 7:49 mark, as they are unloading the M4, there is what looks like a Greyhound behind it, but it also looks like it has 8 wheels. Anyone have an idea of what that might be?
@ThePanzerWarMachine It's a bit confusing and easy to make this mistake, because the numbers do not go in a logical order: The truck or "tractor" itself is in fact the M26, while the M25 designation goes to the tractor and trailer as an entire rig, nicknamed the Dragon Wagon. As you correctly point out, the trailer by itself was designated M15. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Did you know they used Suburbans in WWII? Ya, Patton used them to pull the tanks out of the mud. LOL Wonder who kept getting them stuck? Great video buddy.
@Elkidminoltu Wow, I'd never even heard of a Twister until you mentioned this. I don't think it is a Twister since the video is around 1944. This is a great catch by you however, since it is almost as rare. It's a T18E2 Boarhound Armored Car. Made by the US for the British, only 30 produced. ;]
I'd never noticed that until you just pointed it out. Maybe it was an ad-hoc crew made up of Pacific Car & Foundry Co. employees wearing work duds and GI helmets.
I got to operate one of these rigs in Korea,in 1961 or 62.We were stationed at Ascom Depot and when the Turkish Armed Forces Company rotated out of Korea all of their Tanks were sent to Ascom.We were then tasked to transport the tanks to Incheon.The tanks were US built M46&M47 models,We were using the sheet metal cab version of the tractor and we were told that the trailers had been reinforced for the extra weight.Funny old rigs only had one rear differential. The rear wheels were actually chain driven,we carried OE10,to put in the chain oilers so the chains would not get broken.The one we used had a dual ignition system and 12 spark plugs in the six cylinder engine.Fastest I was ever able to go under power was 21 MPH,empty flat out.
Charles, thank you for your service and that great personal take on this old truck. I think that's the first I've seen anything mentioned about its speed. I would have guessed it could at least keep up with a Sherman tank!
An absolute symbol to the shear level of Mechanization the US had during ww2.
Trains can't go on roads.
US: *puts sun glasses on* Challenge accepted.
Sept. 27, 2019-----Thanks for the video as I've never seen this equipment being used before.
I have been fascinated by this vehicle since the 60's when I first learned of its existence. I had never known how this vehicle worked and this video did a decent job of showing it in action answering many questions I've had about the Dragon Wagon! Thanks so much for finding and uploading this video. I was in the US Army from 1970 until 1979. I have seen the M 88 and M 578 recovery vehicles in action and this is the icing on the cake! I am astounded by what brutes these recovery vehicles are that can manipulate and transport armored vehicles.
Just built a 1/35 scale of this with an m3 Lee and a Sherman cool to see it in action
I’ve got the 1/35 Tamiya kit and even the old Peerless/Max kit, but never built one yet. One of these days...
Can you imagine finding one of these and refurbishing it and pulling your RV with it ?what a trip! 5:08.
Came here after looking at a small part of the extensive series of training films on the WW-II British Scammel recovery system. Night and day. The Scammel system was an assembly kit of various bits (mostly very heavy) that had to be carried around and put together in the field, with crew having to walk precariously on the very high slippery trailer deck. Even the trailer landing gear was carried disassembled on a rack, and had to be assembled on site.
We would call the Scammel Rube Goldberg, they'd say Heath Robinson.
Thanks for posting!
It's nice to see the Rear Echelon troops did for the war effort.
Amazing wrecker
Cdn Army had a number of the M26A1 trucks and used a folding goose neck trailer developed by the Cdn Army to transport/recover Centurion 53 ton tanks. They had the MG ring on the cab but no armour plate. They had soft canvas plastic covers for all side windows /doors and the MG ring for winter operations. Also had 50 ton winches fitted behind cab for recovery work. Often use din conjunction with D8 bulldozer for the recovery work. Always had a problem with the Ross power steering in the winter when it was more than 30 below.
Everything had to be sized to fit on a ship to be sent overseas. The American logistical system incorporated forward field repair to keep equipment available for use.
very cool footage....love the old WWII stuff!
@conan6868 Glad you enjoyed it, I get a kick out these old Gub'mint films.
"And here comes the mechanics to investigate the trouble"... did you see that little too box lol
They had a lot of M-4s to work on.
Bob W They also recovered junk yards full of Pz4, 5’s and countless numbers of other knocked out German AFV’s. These crews worked overtime.
@@TheSaturnV better than doing the actual fighting I would guess.
@tubelizzard You're welcome. I wish the quality was a little better. I've got another similar video to post, this one about how to field assemble a P47. Cool stuff. :D
@500passwords
it all makes sense now 500! I would've sworn that was you @ 2:06, the dude workin' the wench controls!
It’s interesting they don’t lay something on the line like modern winching recommends. Can you imagine if that line snaps? You know some GI got fucked up back in the day
It has to have happened many times during the war I would think. I cannot imagine the recoil on that wire while it’s pulling 34 tons.
good video.
Interesting to see how they recovered a tank back then
awsome I never new of these, cool stuff keep em coming
Awesome thanks for sharing!!!
@1968hambone Me too, since I was a little rug rat with my motorized Tamiya model kits running around in the back yard, LOL. It's interesting to see these back in the day "vids."
This is great, thanks for posting. At the 7:49 mark, as they are unloading the M4, there is what looks like a Greyhound behind it, but it also looks like it has 8 wheels. Anyone have an idea of what that might be?
@ThePanzerWarMachine It's a bit confusing and easy to make this mistake, because the numbers do not go in a logical order: The truck or "tractor" itself is in fact the M26, while the M25 designation goes to the tractor and trailer as an entire rig, nicknamed the Dragon Wagon. As you correctly point out, the trailer by itself was designated M15. Thanks for watching and commenting.
i remember using one of those back in WW2 .
i was general patton in my previous life . lol
Brilliant
That was cool!
@1968hambone "Long as his two hands are fit to use....."
:]
Must they be four HUSK MEN 4:00 to complete this Task?
Where did you find this footage? Is it military-created footage (public domain)? Thanks
Found it right here on UA-cam several years ago.
Did you know they used Suburbans in WWII? Ya, Patton used them to pull the tanks out of the mud. LOL Wonder who kept getting them stuck? Great video buddy.
@TheSaturnV oops I meant "tool" not too... thinking faster than I type... and both are very slow lol
@edzgarage Guess they're not planning on working on the tracks, LOL. Maybe a busted interior light or fan switch!
the Sherman is missing a 30. cal on the hull
@Elkidminoltu Wow, I'd never even heard of a Twister until you mentioned this. I don't think it is a Twister since the video is around 1944. This is a great catch by you however, since it is almost as rare. It's a T18E2 Boarhound Armored Car. Made by the US for the British, only 30 produced. ;]
@Chooman69 Yep, little known fact. Sears Suburbans won WW2!
🛠👍💪🤓
hoe oud ook prachtig matriaal
@500passwords Naw, your voice is too deep. Wonder how many Cubs and Subs we could fit on that trailer.......
@1968hambone
i know to handle wenches :)
Whose army is this? Nothing these guys are wearing is GI.
I'd never noticed that until you just pointed it out. Maybe it was an ad-hoc crew made up of Pacific Car & Foundry Co. employees wearing work duds and GI helmets.