Combat vehicles / Logistics vehicles / M25 tank transporter

M25 tank transporter

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Heavy equipment transporter

  • ORIGIN
    United States

  • NICKNAMES
    M25 (designation for M26 with M15)
    M26/M26A1 (tractor only)
    M15 (semitrailer only)
    Dragon Wagon (popular nickname)
    TR-1 (manufacturer designation for M26)
    G160 (secondary designation for M25)

  • DESIGNED
    1942

  • DESIGNER
    Knuckey Truck Company (M26 tractor)
    Freuhauf Trailer Company (M15 semitrailer)

  • PRODUCTION
    1943 - 1944

  • PRODUCERS
    United States - Pacific Car & Foundry

  • QUANTITY
    753 M26 and 619 M26A1 produced

  • UNIT COST
    Unknown

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Good carrying capacity
    Good all terrain mobility
    Armored cab
    Secondary wrecker role
    Large and heavy
    Low road speed

Introduction

The M25 is a tank transporter of US origin. It was developed in 1942 to replace the older, less mobile and smaller capacity M19 tank transporter. The M25 consists of the M26 tractor and M15 semitrailer. The M26 was developed specifically for the trailer since there was no tractor that suited the demands.

Layout

The M26 has a 6x6 chassis with front wheel steering and double rear tires. The M26 has a large armored forward control cab which seats up to seven people. It has a spare tire and two winches installed behind it. A fifth wheel is located at the rear for use with the M15 eight wheel twin axle low loader semitrailer. On the M26A1 the armor is removed in order to reduce weight.

Cargo capacity

The M15 trailer is capable of carrying up to 36 t of cargo. It was often used to transport the M4 Sherman tank. Vehicles can enter the low loader using the two side by side ramps at the rear. Most M26 are fitted with two winches with a combined power of 54 t. This allows the tractor to be used as a wrecker.

Firepower

A 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun is installed on a ring mount on the roof for self-defense against ground targets and aircraft.

Protection

The armored cab protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters. In combat the open windows are covered by metal armor. The armored cab is particularly useful when employed as a wrecker. The M26A1 lacks the armor and has a reduced weight. There are no smoke grenade launchers or NBC system.

Mobility

The 6x6 chassis and large wheel trailer provided good mobility on road and in the field for a World War 2 era truck. The 240 hp gasoline engine provides a maximum road speed of 67 km/h.

Users

The M25 tank transporter was widely used by US Army forces in Europe from 1944 onwards. It remained in US service until 1955. It was also used by the UK, Japan and various other nations.

Variants

M26 tractor

The M26 is the original and most common production version of the M26 tractor. The M26 is identified by its steel armored cab and fixed roof. It also has a more slanted front cabin than the M26A1. The M26 was also employed without semitrailer as a wrecker.

TypeTractor truck
Crew7 (driver, 6 assisants)
Length7.72 m (tractor), 17.48 m (with trailer)
Width3.32 m
Height3.44 m
Ground clearance0.35 m
Weight19.0 t empty, 21.9 t combat load
Ground pressure6.33 kg/cm2
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 6x6, 14.00 x24 tires
Turn radius12.1 m
EngineType 440 6-cylinder gasoline, 240 hp
Power ratio11.0 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 4 forward, 1 reverse
Speed42 km/h on road
Fuel545 L
Range400 km
Wall?
Trench?
Gradient30% gradient
Fording?
ArmorSteel, 19 mm front, 6 mm sides
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeNo
Remarks1x 16 t winch front, 2x 27 t winch rear
Armament12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun
Weapon112.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun on roof ring mount
Unknown ammunition load, 100 rounds ready to fire
360° manual traverse and elevation
non-stabilized
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

M26A1 tractor

The M26A1 is a later version of the M26 without armored cab. Instead of a steel roof a tarpaulin roof is fitted. The lack of armor makes the M26A1 lighter than the M26. Therefore its mobility is somewhat better at the expense of crew protection. The M26A2 has an improved electrical system.

TypeTractor truck
Crew7 (driver, 6 assisants)
Length7.63 m (tractor)
Width3.28 m
Height3.14 m
Ground clearance0.35 m
Weight17.7 t empty, 20.6 t combat load
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 6x6, 14.00 x24 tires
Turn radius12.1 m
EngineType 440 6-cylinder gasoline, 240 hp
Power ratio11.7 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 4 forward, 1 reverse
Speed45 km/h on road
Fuel545 L
Range500 km
Wall?
Trench?
Gradient30% gradient
Fording?
ArmorNo
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeNo
Remarks1x 16 t winch front, 2x 27 t winch rear
Armament12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun
Weapon112.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun on roof ring mount
Unknown ammunition load, 100 rounds ready to fire
360° manual traverse and elevation
non-stabilized
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

M15 semitrailer

The M15 semitrailer is used with either M26 or M26A1 tractors. It has eight large wheels at the rear on two axles. The chassis extends between the inner and outer wheels on each side. Two foldable ramps allow the transported vehicles to enter from the rear.

M15 trailer: 36.3 t maximum load. Constructed by Pacific.
M15A1 trailer: 40.8 t maximum load. Constructed by Pacific.
M15A2 trailer: 45.4 t maximum load. Constructed by Freuhauf.

TypeSemitrailer
Crew-
Length11.50 m (travel mode), 13.32 m (ramps down)
Width3.75 m
Height1.0 m (cargo deck), 1.71 m (coupling pin), 3.75 m (with spare tires)
Ground clearance0.33 m
Weight15.9 t empty
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled, 8 wheels on two axles
Turn radius?
Engine-
Power ratio-
Transmission-
Speed-
Fuel-
Range-
Wall?
Trench?
Gradient30% gradient
Fording-
Armor-
NBC equipment-
Night vision-
Smoke-
Remarks36 t maximum load
Armament-
Weapon1-
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

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