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There has interest expressed about information on these Rare WWII Trucks. They were a WWII irem of issue procured on a specification written by the US Army Air Corps, there is not much in the way of Military Manuals to be found as there were no Army TMs or SNLs printed for these trucks, all manuals fell under the catagory of Tech Order(T.O.) as the 7 1/2 Ton REO or Biederman were an item procured thru the Army Air Corps only and not issued to Army Ground Forces. Those would be either Quartermaster, or Ordnance responsiblity with a TM assigned.

The trucks were produced in three major versions, the FEDERAL C2 Crash truck with 5th Wheel and Crane, the FEDERAL/REO/BIEDERMAN Tractor used for USAAF Fuel Trailers,, and the Biederman Model P1 Crane Truck with cut down cab and a large revolving Crane capable of lifting 20,000 that was used by the USAAF to salvage crashed aiecraft.

The trick had unique dome shaped air shock absorbers located just aft of the front bumper, abd odball 10.00X22" tires. It was also equopped with Air Brakes, and went "chhh, chhh"

These trucks did not fare well post war and were dropped from the Air force inventory in the 50s with the advent of the M-53 5 Ton 6X6 tractor, and M-246 5 Ton 6X6 Tractor Crane.

These trucks do not survive ourside storage well as there is a lot of structural hardwood reinforcing used in the cab, ther suffer a lot of rot as a result of this, especially the doors as they just fall off once the wood beneath the hinges rots.
Fred Crismon, in his excellent book "US MILITARY WHEELED VEHICLES" does a thorough job describing these beasts. I have helped Jerry Biro locate scarce HXD engine parts for these trucks. These can still be found around the country in use as Crane Carriers, and in the Building Moving Trade

Hello Ranger

Is it possible for you to tell me the "names" on those Tech Orders used for the Biederman and Federal?
It has surfased a Biederman P1 Crane in Norway, and I am on to make an article on it for our club-magazine.
Have spent many houres on the net searching for info on Biederman, but it is next to noting to be found.
Any kind of info is most welcome!!

Chers

Rolf

The REO/Biederman F-1 tractor was TO AN-19-25-53, the Federal C-2 Wrecker/Crane was TOs AN 19-20-9, AN 19-20-10, AN 19-20-16, AN-19-20-17. These trucks were not procured thru Quartermaster or Ordnance, there were no ARMY SNL lists or TMs, as they were strictly an Army Air Force responsibility. I may have a manual but probably will never dig it out from wherever I put it. These trucks were a familiar sight up thru the mid 50s at USAF Bases. The 5 Ton 6x6 M-52 Tractor and M-246 Wrecker replaced it. The P-1 was also an air Force only item. you can gain bits and piecesof information from Vand"erveens' out of print "Observers" series by Olyslager , and Fred Crismons' Military Wheeled Vehicles".

Manuals are very hard to find.

Pics of an Airforce Heavy Wrecker in action at

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/fsaquery.html

Search using keyword "P-39"

Make sure you click on view neighbouring images as some of the better pics are without captions and so not in the search results.

The Reo/Biedermans were popular with building movers here in the US. There are still a few in use near me.
Many of these sat in local surplus yards for years and were scrapped after the cabs fell apart. Doors were the first to suffer because of the wood used in the door pillars.

.. were in use by construction companies but the cabs literally fell apart.

Not sure where the better one ended up when they had finished with it - but it had been modified and re-engined.

Gordon

Ranger and Robbo

Thanks a lot for the info!

I'll check out the link and se if it comes up with any P1 Carane photos..

And if anyone else have any info at all it is of greate interest!!

Chers

Rolf