The M34/M35 series of trucks came in wide array of variants and sub-variants. Engine differences could be noted by the A1, A2, or A3 suffix, but additional suffix letters were also sometimes added. These letters had different meanings depending on what variant to which they were applied. You may have come across them being called the M44 or M45. The M44 and M45 were simply the chassis designation for the 2½ ton series, and this cab/chassis would serve as the basis for many more specialized variants.
Under the nomenclature system used by the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Supply Catalog (known as G-series) the M34/M35/M36 family is designated G742.
Under the nomenclature system used by the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Supply Catalog (known as G-series) the M34/M35/M36 family is designated G742.
The grandfather. The M34 originated in 1949 as a REO Motor Car Company design as a 2-1/2-ton, three-axle, all-wheel-drive off-road truck. The M34 was the first in the family, but was quickly superseded in military usage by the M35.
The M34 "Eager Beaver" was quickly superseded in military usage by the M35. The major difference between the M35 and M34 is the M35's 10-tire configuration versus the M34’s 6-tire configuration. Being a 2.5 ton truck, it quickly became known to many as the “deuce and a half.”
A long wheel-base variant, designated the M36, was also developed (featuring a 16-foot (4.9 m) cargo bed). (Shown here with M105 Trailer) - Picture from: http://www.bsv-fuhrpark.com/bsvfps/Fuhrpark/index.html
Below is an example of a comparison between the M35 and M36 dimensions.
Below is an example of a comparison between the M35 and M36 dimensions.
In the 1982, Bombardier produced a license built M35 variant for the Canadian Forces' medium logistic vehicle, wheeled platform. Canadian vehicles featured an Allison MT-643 automatic transmission, and a Detroit Diesel engine displacing 500 cubic inches (8.2 L). They also featured six wheels instead of ten (using single wheels on the tandem rear axles instead of dual wheels). However, the original 11.00X20 Bias ply tires on split ring type rims were later changed fleet-wide to Michelin radials on bolt-together rims in 2002, due to safety concerns over the split rims.
As of 2014, the trucks, designated MLVW (Medium Logistics Vehicle, Wheeled) were still in service. Canada had been investigating a replacement under the Medium Support Vehicle System Project, and a vehicle has been selected. The MLVW's were initially not deployed with Canadian Forces in Afghanistan because of their lack of armor protection. An armor kit was subsequently developed leading to a limited deployment of the vehicles.
As of 2014, the trucks, designated MLVW (Medium Logistics Vehicle, Wheeled) were still in service. Canada had been investigating a replacement under the Medium Support Vehicle System Project, and a vehicle has been selected. The MLVW's were initially not deployed with Canadian Forces in Afghanistan because of their lack of armor protection. An armor kit was subsequently developed leading to a limited deployment of the vehicles.
Next up is the M35A2C. The part to take notice of here is the "C" suffix in the given nomenclature. The "C" designated a dropside truck where not only the tailgate drops down, but both sides do as well in a similar fashion. - Photo courtesy of: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/brianjacobs/mvt/colins_reo.htm
The M49 fuel tanker and M50 water tanker variants (pictured above) were initially based on the M44 chassis. The M49C series, however, were vehicles converted from C series drop-side cargo variants. M49's have 1200-gallon tanks. Early models had triple compartments (200g front, 400g mid, baffled 600g rear),but most models have two 600-gallon baffled tanks. The M50 had a 1,000-U.S.-gallon (3,800 L; 830 imp gal) water tank, of which later variants had internal baffles to combat weight transfer during motion. In some areas the M35 is still used today as a wild land firefighting truck with a portable water supply and fully operational pump. - photo courtesy of www.olive-drab.com
A number of variants with van bodies, primarily for use as maintenance shop vans, were also created. The basic model was the M109. An expandable van variant with hydraulic lift gate was designated M292. Two variants of the M109 were specifically developed as service vehicles for the MGM-18 Lacrosse missile system, the XM411 for the Ground Guidance Electronic Equipment, and the XM412 with special tools and test equipment for the electronic guidance and control system. A medical van variant was designated M132.
A wrecker based on the M35 truck was designated the M60. However, due to the smaller size and lower power of the 2½ ton trucks, most heavier loads were handled by their respective 5-ton counterparts. As a result few were produced.
Two tractor variants for towing semi-trailers were developed, the M48 and M275. The M48 featured a full-length wheelbase (identical to the M35 cargo), while the M275 featured a shorter wheelbase for reduced weight and greater maneuverability. However, due to the smaller size and lower power of the 2½ ton trucks, most heavier loads were handled by their respective 5-ton counterparts. As a result few were produced.
A number of specialized construction variants were developed. The M47 and M59 dump trucks were developed, based on the M44 chassis and M35 cargo truck respectively. An improved dump truck, again based on the M44 and designated the M342 was designed to replace both the M47 and the M59, as well as the M135-based M215.
The M108, based on the M44 chassis, carried a crane and was used for many tasks including to deploy missiles such as Lacrosse. Again, due to weight constraints, it was usually less desirable than it's 5 ton counterpart, the M246.
A number of specialized construction variants were developed. The M764 was a specialized earth-boring and pole-setting variant.
The versatility of the pattern was perhaps shown best in its usage as an armored "gun truck" for patrol duties and convoy escort.
The simplest examples were produced by simply placing an existing light gun mount directly onto the cargo bed of the truck, and securing it in place. No armouring or special support equipment was installed. One such conversion was performed in Congo-Leopoldville in 1965, using an Oerlikon GAI 20 mm anti-aircraft gun. Another conversion in the Congo entailed mounting pods with 2.75" aircraft rockets on a pedestal on the cargo bed, but this proved unsuccessful.[3]
The first more sophisticated conversions of the pattern were performed by the U.S. military in Vietnam. U.S. Army Artillery Battalions (Automatic Weapons, Self-Propelled) were often assigned Artillery Batteries (.50-caliber), units equipped with M35 trucks and M55 Quadmount systems mounting four M2 Browning machine guns. Units were also authorized a single M60 machine gun and M79 grenade launcher.[4] While the M35 was designed to act as the prime mover for the M55 Quadmount system, which included a towed trailer, the M45 mount was often removed or the wheels removed from the trailer, and the system mounted on the bed of the truck. The M55 system was also mounted on the M54 truck.[5]
More simplified armoring projects were conducted as well, adding armored walls of various thicknesses to standard cargo variants. A smaller bed-mounted multi-angle "box" was also tried.[6] U.S. Army gun trucks used a wide variety of weapons including the M2 Browning machine gun, M60 machine gun, and even the M134 Minigun.
At the end of the Vietnam War most of these vehicles were returned to their standard configuration, except for a single original example shipped to the U.S. Army Transportation Museum at Fort Eustis, Virginia in 1971.[7]
Numerous Vietnam veterans have expended countless hours to build full size replicas of their original Gun Trucks, using M35, M54, and even Army Dump Trucks as platforms, much the same as these veterans did in Vietnam. A functional display replica of the "Psychotic Reaction" Gun Truck Based on an M35A2 chassis is currently in use and being displayed at many military vehicle displays and Vietnam veteran reunions / events.
Below are a few examples of this variation which in itself had MANY different variations.
The simplest examples were produced by simply placing an existing light gun mount directly onto the cargo bed of the truck, and securing it in place. No armouring or special support equipment was installed. One such conversion was performed in Congo-Leopoldville in 1965, using an Oerlikon GAI 20 mm anti-aircraft gun. Another conversion in the Congo entailed mounting pods with 2.75" aircraft rockets on a pedestal on the cargo bed, but this proved unsuccessful.[3]
The first more sophisticated conversions of the pattern were performed by the U.S. military in Vietnam. U.S. Army Artillery Battalions (Automatic Weapons, Self-Propelled) were often assigned Artillery Batteries (.50-caliber), units equipped with M35 trucks and M55 Quadmount systems mounting four M2 Browning machine guns. Units were also authorized a single M60 machine gun and M79 grenade launcher.[4] While the M35 was designed to act as the prime mover for the M55 Quadmount system, which included a towed trailer, the M45 mount was often removed or the wheels removed from the trailer, and the system mounted on the bed of the truck. The M55 system was also mounted on the M54 truck.[5]
More simplified armoring projects were conducted as well, adding armored walls of various thicknesses to standard cargo variants. A smaller bed-mounted multi-angle "box" was also tried.[6] U.S. Army gun trucks used a wide variety of weapons including the M2 Browning machine gun, M60 machine gun, and even the M134 Minigun.
At the end of the Vietnam War most of these vehicles were returned to their standard configuration, except for a single original example shipped to the U.S. Army Transportation Museum at Fort Eustis, Virginia in 1971.[7]
Numerous Vietnam veterans have expended countless hours to build full size replicas of their original Gun Trucks, using M35, M54, and even Army Dump Trucks as platforms, much the same as these veterans did in Vietnam. A functional display replica of the "Psychotic Reaction" Gun Truck Based on an M35A2 chassis is currently in use and being displayed at many military vehicle displays and Vietnam veteran reunions / events.
Below are a few examples of this variation which in itself had MANY different variations.