Autocar U-7144 wrecker

[Goncalo Mendes]

Hello,

While searching my files, I found this photo of a Autocar wrecker. As this subject seems to be rare in information, I tought to post it. Note the rear winch and the absence of the 5th wheel. Unfortunatly I don't know the source or the date.



It is very similar to the one in a famous Tarawa photo, (dated March 1944).



source:http://images.google.com/hosted/life...09a771aa4.html

This could this be a later civil adaptation, post-war, but is also possible that a few more existed than previously considered. I have read in other forum that the navy bought several Autocar chassis to serve as recovery wreckers, but I tought they had U type cabs.


Source:http://www.trucksplanet.com/catalog/model.php?id=1930


I always had read that it was a "one-off" truck, maybe for Naval or Marines aviation, however there are photos of similar wreckers in Torokina and Vella Lavella airfields at the same time frame:

Torokina December 1943

(quoted original source: USMC)

Vella Lavella (December 1943), see the wrecker in the image center

source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/konabish/7238054210/

Engebi airfield, 18 May 1944.

source: http://www.warbirdinformationexchang...129836#p129711

Note that this don't have the rear 5th wheel.


More information and images welcome, feel free to post!

G_Mendes​

 

[Goncalo Mendes]

Just a updat, it seems that one of the U-70/90 cab type wrecker survived, despite a rusted state...! If it was a prototype, it still exists (at least in 2010)!
Restored, it would be a fantastic unusual display truck!

Compare this:


source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunsetsailor/5793476752/

larger: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunsetsailor/5793476752/sizes/l/in/photostream/

A front view, look at the top of the crane/boom frame:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunsetsailor/2521285600/

(From other photos, its seems to be in a wooded area, with a lot of old trucks from the 1940 early-1950. All civiliam type cabs, Sterlings, Diamonds, Autocars, Internationals, etc.)


With this:

Source:http://www.trucksplanet.com/catalog/model.php?id=1930