M5 Bomb Trailer
Encyclopedia
The M5 Bomb Trailer is a 2½ ton capacity vehicle used during World War II
for transporting bombs from munitions storage areas to the aircraft
for loading. Up to six M5s can be towed in a train. The trailer weighs 7,200 pounds when fully loaded.
The front pair of wheels are mounted on a caster assembly like a shopping cart. They are free to rotate 360 degrees about their vertical axis. There is a damper assembly that resembles 1/2 of a disk brake rotor that has friction pucks pressing against it to dampen oscillations of the caster assembly.
These trailers would be towed out to the filghtline all hitched together like a train and the train would stop at the first bomber and the last trailer in the train would be disconnected. The train would then continue on to the next bomber. After the train left, the crew would mandhandle the trailer to a position under the bomber to enable the loading of the bombs. The front caster wheel assembly made this relatively easy. And so each trailer would be detached and when the towing vehicle had left the last trailer, it would circle around and go back and pick up the now empty first trailer detached. Then it would proceed to pick the rest of the trailers, one at a time.
as well. versions include the M1 and M2 Chemical trailer. these were usually towed by the M1 Bomb service truck, 1½-Ton, 4×4, (Ford) and M6 Bomb service truck, 1½-Ton, 4×4, (Chevy)
Payload: 5,000 lb
Length: 17’6”
Width: 7’4”
Height: 3’ 11.5”
Wheelbase: 102”
Ground Clearance 9.5”
Speed: 45 mph (road)
20 mph (country side)
Tires: Front: 6-ply 6.5 × 10 Back: 8-ply 7.5 × 18
, UK and one at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
in Dayton, Ohio
). Two more are undergoing restoration, one at the Carolinas Aviation Museum
in Charlotte, North Carolina
, and one at the Yankee Air Museum
. Both are in need of a complete overhaul. The Collings Foundation (Stow MA USA) also has three unrestored M5's. Others are in private Historic Military Vehicle (HMV) collectors hands around the USA and the world.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
for transporting bombs from munitions storage areas to the aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
for loading. Up to six M5s can be towed in a train. The trailer weighs 7,200 pounds when fully loaded.
The front pair of wheels are mounted on a caster assembly like a shopping cart. They are free to rotate 360 degrees about their vertical axis. There is a damper assembly that resembles 1/2 of a disk brake rotor that has friction pucks pressing against it to dampen oscillations of the caster assembly.
These trailers would be towed out to the filghtline all hitched together like a train and the train would stop at the first bomber and the last trailer in the train would be disconnected. The train would then continue on to the next bomber. After the train left, the crew would mandhandle the trailer to a position under the bomber to enable the loading of the bombs. The front caster wheel assembly made this relatively easy. And so each trailer would be detached and when the towing vehicle had left the last trailer, it would circle around and go back and pick up the now empty first trailer detached. Then it would proceed to pick the rest of the trailers, one at a time.
History
These trailers were used extensively in World War II on air bases for the transport of bombs and other ordnance. Many were also used in the Korean WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
as well. versions include the M1 and M2 Chemical trailer. these were usually towed by the M1 Bomb service truck, 1½-Ton, 4×4, (Ford) and M6 Bomb service truck, 1½-Ton, 4×4, (Chevy)
Specifications
Net Weight: 2,200 lbPayload: 5,000 lb
Length: 17’6”
Width: 7’4”
Height: 3’ 11.5”
Wheelbase: 102”
Ground Clearance 9.5”
Speed: 45 mph (road)
20 mph (country side)
Tires: Front: 6-ply 6.5 × 10 Back: 8-ply 7.5 × 18
Survivors
There are four known examples in museums, two of which have been restored (one at the Imperial War Museum DuxfordImperial War Museum Duxford
Imperial War Museum Duxford is a branch of the Imperial War Museum near the village of Duxford in Cambridgeshire, England. Britain's largest aviation museum, Duxford houses the museum's large exhibits, including nearly 200 aircraft, military vehicles, artillery and minor naval vessels in seven...
, UK and one at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
National Museum of the United States Air Force
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is the official museum of the United States Air Force located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base northeast of Dayton, Ohio. The NMUSAF is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum with more than 360 aircraft and missiles on display...
in Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
). Two more are undergoing restoration, one at the Carolinas Aviation Museum
Carolinas Aviation Museum
The Carolinas Aviation Museum is an aviation museum on the grounds of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. The mission of the Museum is to educate the public about the importance of aviation to our society and inspire the next generation to excel academically in the...
in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, and one at the Yankee Air Museum
Yankee Air Museum
The Yankee Air Museum is an aviation museum located near Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan. The museum has a small fleet of flying aircraft and a collection of static display aircraft outdoors.-History:...
. Both are in need of a complete overhaul. The Collings Foundation (Stow MA USA) also has three unrestored M5's. Others are in private Historic Military Vehicle (HMV) collectors hands around the USA and the world.
- Carolinas Aviation MuseumCarolinas Aviation MuseumThe Carolinas Aviation Museum is an aviation museum on the grounds of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. The mission of the Museum is to educate the public about the importance of aviation to our society and inspire the next generation to excel academically in the...
- Imperial War Museum Duxford
- National Museum of the United States Air Force
- Yankee Air Museum
External links
- http://www.footnote.com/image/55724004/#48492938
- http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6798
- http://images.google.com/hosted/life/l?q=gasoline++source:life&imgurl=be63dff04d68237e