Biglorryblog's regular contribuor from La belle France, Mike and Julie Blenkinsop, have kindly ent me this armoured oddball--and the following e-mail: "May we extend our best wishes to all the truck enthusiasts (anoraks!!) out there and to all who drive, maintain and organise the incredible truck industry in all corners of our world. Thanks especially to Vladimir---keep sending BLB those incredible Russian tank transporter/ heavy haulage pictures!"
I'll drink to that but first we come to the wonderful truck pictured above: "In return, here is one of ours, " says Mike. "Whilst we love the Diamond T marque, we have to respect the sheer size and power of the ‘Dragon-Wagon’ M26 Pacific tank recovery vehicle with Knuckey chain-drive. Already discussed on BLB earlier, but this one is in its military form, so just look and enjoy, and remember that it was built, 65 plus years ago, back in 1942!"
Having read this Henk Kruit has sent me this link to another Pacific website
Meanwhile, click through here for a head-on shot of this battlefield behemoth...
M&J continue: "May BLB go from strength-to-strength and very best wishes for the New Year! We'll keep supplying the ‘blogs’ in 2008 to help make BLB the best truck site on the web, and Truck and Driver, the best trucker’s magazine on the market." Awww...you've got BLB blushing now...and can any BLB readers offer some more details on the Pacific...in particular is it the same Pacific company in Vancouver that supplied heavy haulage tractors to my mate Dennis Child.
The Pacific Tank Transporters were built by the Pacific Car & Foundary Company of Renton, Washington during the Second World War (and so are unrelated to their Cannuck namesakes) M26 models had a seven man cab and featured 3/4" armour on the front of the cab. They were built as 6x6's and featued the Hall - Scott petrol engine that developed 240 BHP.
Biglorryblog is risking the wrath of Tuck again with this one - Demobbed Pacifics were re-cabbed and re-engined (with Cummins' units)and were notably operated by the Wynns Company with great success.
They were also used in lightly modernised form by many of Europe's top heavy haulers though none was as imposing as the Wynn's units.
I just found an M26 Tank Recovery Vehicle. It is the un-armored version and has some body damage and rusting in the sheet metal, the fifth wheel is missing and the frame is kind of crunched between the winches and the rear axles where they picked it up with a big grapple. But other than that is is all there and even has a few decent tires on it.
They are going to chop it up for scrap if I don’t get it. Is this something anyone might be interested in or know someone how would be?
Thanks!
Daniel
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for your post.Any pictures?
Where in this small world are you?
Obviously, this is important, as shipping a Pacific back across the water isn't cheap.
Through our interest, we have met people who may be interested, especially in so much as saving such an important vehicle, even if it is for the parts, but distance is a big factor.
Many thanks for your consideration,
Come back on the blog or direct,
Best wishes,
Mike Blenkinsop, France.
Interesting, my friend has the unarmored version in his back yard. I think it is the M26A1? Let me know if you want photos...
Sorry I have not replied sooner! its been almost a year! I ended up buying the Tank Retriever - but I am still interested in selling or trading for CCKW or Dodge trucks.
I am In Rapid City South Dakota USA .. Along way from everywhere! If anyone is interested drop me a line MacRacDan@gmail.com
Thanks!
Daniel