History of Cletrac military vehicles

Started by David Pope, January 21, 2011, 02:06:32 AM

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Blake Malkamaki

#15
January 21, 2011, 02:37:13 AM
Quote from: David Pope on January 21, 2011, 02:30:38 AM
Next pic

Somewhere I have a picture of my grandfather Howard van Driest driving one of these MG-2s with guys lined up on both sides facing in. This is the one you drove from the front.

Blake
My gramps Howard van Driest was Experimental Engineer at Cletrac and Oliver Corporation. After the plant closed, he and my uncle started an excavating business, initially using Cletrac and Oliver Crawler tractors. Please help Support This Site and give your business exposure by buying a business card sized ad.

David Pope

#16
January 21, 2011, 02:38:27 AM
The Army was looking for a self propelled gun so Cletrac came up with the T1 Gun Carriage with a 3 inch gun.

David Pope

#19
January 21, 2011, 02:44:47 AM
 After several changes this evolved into the M5 Gun Carriage. The Army ordered 1583 units but the order was cancelled before production proceeded.

David Pope

#20
January 21, 2011, 02:46:36 AM Last Edit: January 21, 2011, 02:55:49 AM by David Pope
Only two prototypes were made and they were converted into T31 Medium Tractors. This was likely the final version. The driver sat in that little enclosure in front of the gun mechanism.

David Pope

#21
January 21, 2011, 02:48:51 AM
The Cletrac FD was likely Cletrac?s designation before the Army called them the T31.

David Pope

#22
January 21, 2011, 02:50:39 AM
The two M5 Gun Carriages were used to make the T31 Medium Tractors.

David Pope

#23
January 21, 2011, 02:53:28 AM
Next pic. That's it for now.
Blake, you'll have to find that picture and post it on this thread.

Blake Malkamaki

#24
January 21, 2011, 03:15:06 AM
Quote from: David Pope on January 21, 2011, 02:53:28 AM
Next pic. That's it for now.
Blake, you'll have to find that picture and post it on this thread.

Someday I'll get it. I know where it is, but someone else in the family has the album right now.

Once Gramps drove one of the machines home for the weekend - I don't know if it was an MG-1 or MG-2 - but at the time they lived in Chardon, Ohio - about 30 miles east of Cleveland. Must have been a fun drive! Everyone else on the road had gas rationing.

Blake
My gramps Howard van Driest was Experimental Engineer at Cletrac and Oliver Corporation. After the plant closed, he and my uncle started an excavating business, initially using Cletrac and Oliver Crawler tractors. Please help Support This Site and give your business exposure by buying a business card sized ad.

David Pope

#25
January 21, 2011, 08:27:30 PM
Here's some more that aren't in the MG1 family.
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