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.
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.
7 comments:
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.
What does 6x6 refer to?
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
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
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.
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.
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
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