M26A1, Truck, Tractor, 12 Ton 6×6
Early in WWII, the US Army identified the need for a system to retrieve disabled or destroyed armored vehicles from the battlefields. The result was the Tank Transporter Truck-Trailer M25, made up of two compounds: the M26 Tractor and the M15 Trailer (A.K.A. Dragon Wagon). This would be the last time the Army issued a separate designation for a tractor-trailer combination.
The Knuckey Truck Company developed the winning design, but they were a small company unable to produce vehicles in high volume. The design included an armored cab to protect the crew on the battlefield. The Pacific Car & Foundry Company took over production of the tractors. Arriving in 1943, the M25 combo proved to be a valuable addition to the Army.
The M26A1 was fielded in 1944 after operational experience showed that the armored cab was rarely needed and hat it placed a strain on the front axle and tires causing a faster failure rate. The elimination of the armored cab saved 20,000 lbs from the weight of the vehicle. The drop in weight not only reduced wear on the front axle, but also improved payload and off-road capability.
The M26A1 continued to serve the Army into the 1950s, but due to its advanced age coupled with the
this page online
This vehicle was in private hands before being acquired by the Fort Snelling Military Museum: its service and history are unknown. In 2010, this vehicle was transferred to the US Army Transportation Museum.
Erected by US Army Transportation Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, Cold • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1943.
Location. 37° 9.982′ N, 76° 34.47′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Fort Eustis. Marker can be reached from Washington Boulevard, half a mile south of Warwick Boulevard (U.S. 60), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Washington Blvd, Fort Eustis VA 23604, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. M15A1, Semitrailer, Tank Transporter, 45 Ton (here, next to this marker); M4A3, Tank, Medium, 75mm "Sherman" (here, next to this marker); M911, Tractor, 25 Ton, 8×6 (C-HET) (a few steps from this marker); Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) (a few steps from this marker); Petroleum Railway Tank Car (a few
Additional commentary.
1. Marker location
This marker is on the grounds of Fort Eustis. Permission was requested before photographing.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 444 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
