Going from CCKW to M-series REO in 1952

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Was akin to trading the horse and buggy for a modern vehicle. When you think about it, the late CCKWs were quite primative with their Open Cabs, non adjustable seats, etc. Canvas Doors and primative heaters with no provisions for defroster ducting in those that were used during WWII. They were quite blind to drive with the Canvas Doors installed, the plastic windows were prone to scuffing and discoloration, especially when they were covered with dew or frosted over and hands wearing GI gloves would wipe a spot clear in order to see out. They were a primitive truck that was one step beyond the pre WWII horse drawn Army.

I can almost imagine an Open Cab CCKW cut off at the cab with a team of 90 horses hitched to the front. Where do did you think the term "Pioneer Tools" came from? The shovel would come in handy

The M-Series REO/STUDEBAKER M-35 Types entering service in large numbers starting 1952, had sliding drivers seats, doors with roll up glass windows and were much easier to enter and exit. They were also a pleasure to drive with their synchromesh transmissions and powereful 331 cu. in. Gold Comet engine. The ride of the M-series was much softer with improved suspension and 900X20 tires. The M-35 types would cruise effortlessly all day long at 50MPH compared to the CCKW that would be laboring at 40 MPH. They were also equipped for fording with waterproof electrical and fuel systems and waterproof venting for the powertrain components. The trucks were factory equipped with defroster ducting in place for the very efficient Gasoline or hot water heater kits that would keep the drivers comfortable. Insulated Cab Tops were also available for those trucks whose mission called for extreme cold weather driving.

The M-Series Gold Comet powered 2 1/2 Ton 6X6 was a much better balance of Powerplant and Gear ratios, it would run rings around all CCKW models. The Cargo version M-35 weighed over a thousand pounds more than the CCKW LWB Cargo.

I could go on to the Multifuel M-35, but only wanted to illustrate the modernization that took place after WWII usin the lessons of that war.

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The local Air Force Base across from where I grew up was loaded with CCKWs right up to the fall of 1952, at that time the Base was home to the F-51 equipped Iowa-Nebraska Air National Guard that was called up for duty during Korea. They were deactivated and sent home, the 506 SFW soon replaced them with F-84G aircraft, and they were equipped with the latest new M-Series vehicles. There were still a couple of CCKW F-3 Tankers in the 506th and the CCKW Radio Van at the MARS Site.

In March 1952 the National Guard Units in the state were ordered to turn in all of their CCKWs for direct shipment to Europe. They were slated to receive M-Series GMCs 18 month later. They were issued Dodge WC 6X6 Trucks in the interim.

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My friend Don Gaudreau was with the MARS Site at Dow in the mid fifties and remembers the daily trips to the site on Hammond Street in the CCKW Van. Don transfered to Tripoli Libya and was issued a new M-Series Reo van. Don is still active as a Master Electrician, a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and into Ham Radio.

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It is amazing how the Army got their act together when developing the M-Series Reo M-35 Cargo Truck and other versions. The only flaw in the design was the Automatic Sprag Unit which was replaced with the Air Shift Sprag approx 15-16 years into the game.
If I were to restore another 6X6, it would be the quiet and spunky Gold Comet gasoline powered version.

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As late as 1958 I used to observe my cousin's Army Guard 136th Engineer Company on the way to Annual Training with a mixture of M-217 GMC Dumps, an M-Series Reo 6X6 Machine Shop Van (COUSE) and a CCKW LeRoi Air Compressor Truck.