The GMC CCKW

I have acquired this early Saginaw Bomb Trailer. But it is different from the others I have seen. The spring for the front trolley wheels, is fore and aft instead of transverse. This is very early (serial number 3), and I am wondering if anybody else has seen one like this. In TM 9-2800, the line drawing of the bomb trailer shows the same spring arrangement as I have, but the photo is the standard transverse spring. I think this might be an early production feature. Any thoughts?

Nice find!

I looked through my TM9-2800 dated 1947. It shows both the Chemical Corps version of this trailer and the Air Corps Bomb trailer version. The Chem trailer was pictured with the perpendicular spring set up and the Bomb trailer was pictured with the in-line spring set up. I don't have enough personal knowledge of the unit to distinguish the difference. Perhaps Dr. Deuce can add to this.

The chem trailer was pictured with 2 lengthen "Set 7" types of gantry's to handle 55 gallon drums. It also specifically reference a pintel hitch on the rear of the bomb trailer but not on the Chem trailer.

In going through my historic picture collection I see the bomb trailer configuration in both versions. I will note that those pictures do show two sets of springs on the front wheel.

So I guess the short of this is that I don't have a definitive answer.

Bill

Bill,
My TM 9-2800 is dated September 1, 1943. Both the M1, M2 Chemical Trailers and the M5 Bomb Trailer are listed. I looked again, and the Chemical Trailer shows the spring from side to side. You can't make that out in the bomb trailer illustration, because it is a side view taken slightly from the rear. The line drawing of the bomb trailer seems to show the type of spring like I have. As for the pintle hitch, there seems to be a hole there, but not much underlaying superstructure that would be needed for a pintle hook. So I am suspecting it is a chemical trailer. I haven't taken the time to really look at the data plate- it is pretty beat up.

Somebody posted this for sale in New Mexico, and I got it from there. According to the former owner, there are a lot of these trailers in NM formerly in use by the Bureau of Land Management.

I believe there was a picture of one in a Life Magazine spread. You might want to try that site.

Bill

hello
one other modified




olivier

I have two M5s and the 2nd one has a front like the 1st picture. That makes three that I know of. I believe it was a mod to the original (2nd version)