Artifact of the Month
Tractor hauling an aircraft.
Front view of the tractor and trailer.
Side view of the tractor.
Side view of the tractor.
Prior to the United States’ entrance into World War II, the U.S. Army had selected three companies to produce4-5 ton tractors to pull semitrailers. The Federal Model 94x43, Cab over Engine (C.O.E.) was one of the designs selected. The tractor was designed to haul a wide variety of U.S. Army semitrailers in the 5 through 10-ton classes.
This tractor is a war production model with the hard cab replaced with the canvas. This modification was made to free up space in the cargo hold of a ship while being transported overseas. The Federal tractor provided stalwart service for the Army through World War II, the Berlin Airlift, and the Korean War. Shortly after the Korean War it was replaced in service by the M52 tractor.