Owned and restored by Max Shepherdson of Newark Notts
In 1942 the US army realised that a new 40 ton semi-trailer tank transporter was needed with better off-road performance than the M9 24 small-wheel trailer, and greater capacity than the 30 ton 8 large-wheel Shelvoke and Drewry semi-trailers used by the Diamond T tractor unit. Designed by the Fruehauf Trailer Company of Detroit, Michigan, it was heavier than the Diamond T could manage so a companion M26 tractor was designed by the San Francisco-based Knuckey Truck Company. When it could not keep up with the Army's demands, production was awarded to the Pacific Car & Foundry Co. of Seattle, Washington. The chain-driven 12-ton 6x6 M26 tractor was powered by a Hall-Scott 18 litre 6-cylinder petrol engine developing 240 BHP at 1200RPM. Unusually, the tractor unit was fitted with both an armoured cab and two winches with a combined pull of 60 tons, allowing it to do battlefield recovery work.
With its huge petrol engine with a propensity for shooting flames out of its exhaust the M26 rapidly got the nickname “Dragon Wagon” After the war, some of them were bought as surplus and used to carry oversize loads such as transformers, locomotives and heavy equipment
Whilst impressive, most would shy away from owning such a thing in UK, let alone buying and repatriating one from Southern France, where it had been used in the construction of hydro-electric plants, then undertaking what has in effect been a nut and bolt restoration. It was planned to have it ready for this year’s show season but obviously current circumstances; its owner, Max Shepherdson is a seasoned rally campaigner who also has a Diamond T tank transporter, and a tank, in his sheds.
There is little on this machine that could be described as straightforward, but Max has painstakingly built up his example to perfection, and now it has finally been seen in public where it created huge interest, it is a fine testament to his vision and audacious tenacity in tackling such a restoration.