Saturday, July 20, 2019

BILLER #10


7 comments:

boppabill said...

This is a rare WW II 6X6. It has a steel cab rather than a canvas cab. The circus has outfitted with an "A" frame crane on the front.

Tony Greiner said...

What does 6x6 refer to?

Chic Silber said...


These standard Army cargo trucks

originally had 6 wheels that all

could be powered together although

most had 10 wheels on 3 axles

They were commonly called "Jimmys"

or "Deuce & a Halfs" for 2½ tons

Several companies built them

Chic Silber said...


The #99 Water Wagon on the Beatty Show

had a similar front hinged crane

These cranes originally lifted the

bagged big top sections off flat beds

John Shepherd said...

If I recall correctly, the "Jimmys" with enclosed cabs were (mostly?) produced for shipment to Russia via lend-lease. Several, apparently, wound up on circuses after the war.

boppabill said...

Comments on the comments on my comment. Yes Chic, it is similar to CB water truck. 6x6 means six wheels on the ground and six powered. The tractors in the other pictures would be 4x2. A jeep was a 4x4. I believe most of the trucks sent to Russia were built by Studebaker with enclosed cabs. The Studies had a more slanted windshield. I had a ride in one of the GMC's with steel cab and standard cargo body as a kid. I hope I covered all the neat comments that were made.

Chic Silber said...


In the Coast Guard back in my day

they were called Deuce & a Halfs

The best Jeeps were little Willys

Very lightweight & 4 cylinders

They could turn on a dime