Specifications

GENERAL DATA
Crew			2
Weight	Net	(lb)	30,000
	Payload	(lb)	8,000
	Gross	(lb)	38,000
Axle load (lb:)
Empty	front: 8,400	rear (each)	10,800
Loaded	frong: 10,640	rear (each)	13,680
Tires	Ply 12	Size 11.00x20	psi 70
	Tread, center to center	front	73 in.
Shipping Dimensions	uncrated	1,900 cf	195 sf
Vehicle Dimensions	ground clearance	inches	11
	Loading height	inches	56
	Pintle height, loaded	inches	36
Tires	Ply 8	Size	11.00-20
Shipping dimensions	(cu ft)	(sq ft)
Tires	Ply 8	Size	11.00-20
Pintle Height (in)	Loaded 30 1/2	Unloaded
Electrical system		volts	12
	Batteries	number	1
	Type of ground	positive
Capacities	Fuel, 70 octane gasoline	(gal)	100
	Cooling System	(qts)	35
	Crankcase (refill)	(qts)	68
	Transmission	(qts)	12
	Transfer	(qts)	2.5
	Axles (front)	(qts)	8
	Rear (each wheel)	(qts)	7
Winch	Oil Capacity (front)	(qts)	1.5
	Rear	(qts)	4
	Rear winch transmission	(qts)	3
	Load capacity front	(lbs)	20,000
	Load capacity rear	(lbs)	47,500
Crane	Oil capacity	(qts)	3.5
	Lift capacity	(lbs)	16,000
Brakes	Manufacturer	Bendix- Westinghouse	Air
Parking Brake		Type	Transfer

PERFORMANCE
Maximum gradability		(%)	54
Turning Radius (ft)	Right 35	Left	35
Fording Depth		(in)	40
Angle of approach (deg)	with winch	without
Angle of departure		(deg)
Fuel Capacity	Average conditions	gal	100
Cruising Range	Average conditions	(miles)	250
Maximum allowable speed		(mph)	45
Number of speeds forward			5
Transfer Speeds			2

ENGINE
Manufacturer	Continental	22R
Type valve in head	In-line, 4 cycle	Cylinders	6
Displacement		(cu in)	501
Bore		(inch)	4.5
Stroke		(inch)	5.25
Governed speed		(rpm)	2,400
Horsepower			145 @ 2400 rpm
Torque			372lb ft @1200 rpm
Maximum recommended toward load gross		(lbs)	60,000

ADDITIONAL DATA
Height with gun mount		(in)	119.5
Live axles, type		double-reduction	full-floating
Transmission		Type	constant-mesh

History

This wrecker built by Ward La France of Elmira, NY, was the largest wrecker used by the armed forces in all theaters of war in WWII and in the Korean conflict.

Originally classified as a 10-ton wrecker, it was later standardized as a 6 ton wrecker. The model shown here, the M1A1, was the last and most refined version. A total of 3,800 were built by Ward La France with 600 more by Kenworth. Its maximum towed load was 70,000 lbs, allowing it to salvage any wheeled vehicle in the US Army inventory as well as light and medium tanks, downed airplanes and bridging pontoons. The truck carried one of the largest on-vehicle inventories of tools and equipment during WWII.

The wrecker shown here was built in January of 1945 and saw service in Europe. It was rebuilt in 1955 by the US Army Ordnance shop in Aachen, West Germany and then handed over to the Austrian army where it remained for more than 30 years. Finally, it was sold surplus to an Austrian collector and in 1986 purchased by its present owner who returned it to California for a cosmetic restoration after participating in the 45th Anniversay of the Allied landingss in Normandy in 1989.