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Federal
Motor Truck Company in World War Two
Detroit, MI
1910-1959
This page updated 9-25-2023.
Federal Motor Truck Company
World War Two Products: The company produced 11,167 trucks and
tractors as accepted by Detroit Army Ordnance as noted in Table 1. Federal Motor Truck Company also built an unknown quantity of Type C-2 7-1/2-ton 6x6 606 Wreckers for the Army Air Forces
and the U.S. Navy. These vehicles
are not comprehended in the records of Detroit Army Ordnance shown below
and were ordered directly by the USAAF.
Federal Motor Truck Company won the
Army-Navy "E" award four times during World War Two.
The company won its first award on September 28, 1942.
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Table 1 - Federal
Motor Truck
World War Two Trucks Accepted by Detroit Ordnance, US Army
The information below comes from "Summary Report of
Acceptances, Tank-Automotive Material, 1940-1945"
Published by Army Services Forces, Office, Chief of
Ordnance-Detroit, Production Division, Requirements and
Progress Branch
January 21, 1946. |
|
Type |
Federal Model |
1940 |
1941 |
1942 |
1943 |
1944 |
1945 |
Total |
| 2 1/2-ton
4x2 Dump * |
2G-4x2 |
|
|
|
1,268 |
225 |
|
1,493 |
|
2 1/2-ton 4x2 Telephone Construction and Maintenance** |
2G-4x2 |
|
|
|
|
35 |
|
35 |
| 2 1/2-ton
4x2 Tractor |
29-K |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
| 4-6-ton 4x4
Tractor COE*** |
94x43
94x43B
94x43C |
|
870 |
2,048 |
1,751 |
2,633 |
817 |
8,119 |
| 5-ton 4x4 Dump |
94x43C |
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
| 5-ton 4x2 Cargo |
55L |
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
12 |
| 5-ton 4x2 Dump |
55L |
|
40 |
|
|
|
|
40 |
| 5-ton 4x2 Stake
and Platform |
55L |
|
7 |
6 |
|
|
|
13 |
| 5-ton 4x2 Stake
and Platform w/w |
55L |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
6 |
| 20-ton 6x4
Tractor |
604 |
|
|
833 |
130 |
480 |
|
1,443 |
|
Total |
|
4 |
931 |
2,893 |
3,149 |
3,373 |
817 |
11,167 |
Author's Note
and Disclaimer: The Detroit Office
of Ordnance of the U.S. Army was the primary purchasing entity for
vehicles for the U.S. Army during World War Two. It also purchased vehicles
for the USMC, US Navy, and for Lend-Lease. However, there were
other organizations that also purchased vehicles including the Army
Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Air Force, U.S. Army Signal Corps, Navy
Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, and foreign countries
making direct purchases. This is exemplified by the Federal 605
Fuel Tractor and 606
Wrecker, which were ordered by the USAAF.
* The 2 1/2-ton 4x2 Dump Truck was the same as
the one produced by International Harvester, and was utilized for
administrative purposes at Army posts. Production stopped
9-30-1944.
**
2 1/2-ton 4x2 Telephone Construction and Maintenance was
utilized for administrative purposes at Army posts. Production
stopped 9-30-1944.
*** 4-6-ton 4x4
Tractor COE was the same as the Autocar and White trucks.
Federal differed as it had a Clark 326-VO transmission as opposed to the
other two which had an Autocar UU-5 transmission.
Federal Type Model 605 F-1 Aviation Fuel Tractors: Federal
built 200 of these, which were similar but not identical to the Reo 29XS
F1 fuel tractors.
Federal Type C-2 7-1/2-ton 6x6 606 Aircraft Wrecker: The C-2
was powered by a Hercules Model HXD six cylinder 855 cu. in. engine,
which enabled the truck to pull 12.5 tons when hooked up to a trailer.
The truck could perform several different tasks. However, its primary
job was to pick up disabled aircraft and place them on a trailer to take
to the repair facilities. It was also used extensively for
aircraft engine changes. Every AAF Air Base had at least one C-2.
While one C-2 could lift most aircraft on its own, it took two to lift a
B-17, so the bases with heavy bombers or transports like the C-54 would
have had two.
The document below shows that there were at
least 2,307 C-2s built. Other Federal C-2s were built after the
3-27-1944 date on the document, with deliveries continuing into 1945.
Therefore, the total number of Federal C-2s built is probably in the
range of over 2,500 units.
Document courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck.
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Table 2 - Known Federal Truck C-2
Registration Numbers |
|
Registration Numbers |
Serial Numbers |
Number of C-2s |
|
51489-51554 |
Unknown |
66 |
|
51489-51554 |
Unknown |
66 |
|
54162-54477 |
Unknown |
316 |
|
58038-59896 |
113001-114859 |
1,859 |
|
Total |
|
2,307 |
Federal C-2 wreckers from the Jeff Lakaszcyck
Collection: Jeff has two Federal C-2 wreckers in
restoration in central Florida. One of the vehicles is
currently a running vehicle that Jeff takes to vehicle shows.
The other has a defective engine that needs to be rebuilt or
repaired to become operational. The photos below are a
combination of photos Jeff sent me of his two C-2s in late 2020 and
photos I took at his residence in July 2021. Jeff is also a
leading authority on not only the Federal C-2 series trucks, but
other World War Two trucks as well. He has been a great
resource for me on this website.
A photo of both of Jeff Lakaszcyck's Federal C-2
wreckers. The one on the left was built in 1943 and the other
in 1944. The 1943 C-2 was purchased without its crane.
Jeff has since purchased a crane to be installed on the vehicle. Photo courtesy of
Jeff Lakaszcyck.
Photo
courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck.
This is a Federal C-2 Model 606D with
USA registration number W-58315 and serial number 113278. It
was purchased a year after the 1944 C-2 to use as a parts truck for
the restoration of the 1944 C-2. However, after doing some engine work and
replacing some parts, it ran so well that Jeff has made it road
worthy and drives it to local car and truck shows. This truck
had previously been used by a garage in Elkhart, IN. Author's
photo added 11-29-2021.
Author's photo added 11-29-2021.
Author's photo added 11-29-2021.
Author's photo added 11-29-2021.
Without the crane installed, the
transfer case that powers the crane can be readily seen.
Author's photo added 11-29-2021.
With the crane off, the drive shaft and axles
can also be readily seen. Author's photo added 11-29-2021.
All ten tires are brand new. This
was a significant investment by Jeff to make this roadworthy.
Author's photo added 11-29-2021.
This vehicle was built on 1-26-1944 and is a Federal C-2
Model 606D. The serial number is 113912 and USA Registration
W-58938. Due to lack of care by a previous owner, the engine
in the truck is not usable, but the rest of the truck is in very
good condition. This was used by a house moving company in New
Jersey after World War Two. The C-2 wreckers were specifically
designed and built for the United States Army Air Forces to pick up
damaged aircraft. Therefore, the C-2 wreckers came equipped
with long booms. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck.
This photo by Jeff shows his 1944 C-2 in
his restoration shop prior to starting work on it. Photo
courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck.
Jeff has several projects underway in
his restoration building including the 1944 C-2. Author's
photo added 11-29-2021.
The C-2s had their U.S.A. registration numbers painted on the inside
of the hood which has allowed positive identification of the vehicle
seven decades after it was built. The hood is of sheet metal construction. Author's photo added 11-29-2021.
The power take-off for the crane is just barely visible on this C-2. Author's photo added 11-29-2021.
j
The interior of the 1944 C-2 is in very
good shape. Photo courtesy
of Jeff Lakaszcyck.
This shows the interior from the
driver's side of the cab. The cab frame is constructed of wood
covered with sheet metal. Author's photo added 11-29-2021.
Author's photo added 11-29-2021.
The wood frame door jamb can be seen in
this photo. The floor boards are also of wood construction
while the toe boards are steel. Author's photo added
11-29-2021.
Author's photo added 11-29-2021.
Jeff has begun the work of disassembling the frozen Hercules HXD
engine. Author's photo added 11-29-2021.
A previous owner left the vehicle
outside with the hood off, allowing rain water to get insidethe
engine. The resulting rust locked up the engine.
Author's photo added 11-29-2021.
Author's photo added 11-29-2021.
This is what an operating Hercules HXD
engine looks like. This is a photo of the engine on Jeff's
1943 operable C-2. Author's photo added 11-29-2021.
Other C-2 Wreckers:
This C-2 7-1/2-ton wrecker is owned by the
Stockton Field Aviation Museum. Photo courtesy of Taigh Ramey and
www.twinbeech.com.
Photo courtesy of Taigh Ramey and
www.twinbeech.com.
The next four photos show Mike Tuminaro's
1943 Federal 606D C-2 on display at a 2021 truck show. This is
serial number 113522 and USA Registration Number W-58850. Photo courtesy
of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 11-29-2021.
Photo courtesy
of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 11-29-2021.
Photo courtesy
of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 11-29-2021.
Photo courtesy
of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 11-29-2021.
This 1944 Federal C-2 was photographed in France by Phillipe Jowyk
Pieter Groenendyk. Photo via Jeff Lakaszcyck added 1-17-2021.
This 1944 C-2 has had the wrecker removed to look like an F-1 tractor.
Photo courtesy of Philippe Lombard Ensemble Camion via Jeff Lakaszcyck
added 1-17-2021.
Federal Truck Model 94x43 4-6-ton 4x4
Tractor COE:
This Federal Truck Model 94x43 4-6-ton 4x4
Tractor COE is on display at the Army Transportation Museum at Fort
Eustis, VA. Author's photo added 11-26-2021.
Author's photo added 11-26-2021.
Author's photo added 11-26-2021.
A Highway Trailer Company Model 1025
two wheel 10-ton semi-trailer is attached to the Federal Model 94x43 is .
Author's photo added 11-26-2021.
The National Museum of Military Vehicles in
Dubois, WY has this soft cab Model 94x43 4-6-ton 4x4 Tractor COE on
display in its large World War Two Truck display. Author's photo
added 9-25-2023.
Author's photo added 9-25-2023.
This Federal Model 94x43 hard top tractor
awaiting restoration is part of the collection of vehicles at the World
War Two Experience in Gettysburg, PA. Author's photo added
9-25-2023.
Inside the driver's side door is this
original data plate. Author's photo added 9-25-2023.
The serial number is 112239 with a delivery
date of 8-24-1942. Author's photo added 9-25-2023.
A late September afternoon sun allowed for
several nice photos of this vehicle. Author's photo added
9-25-2023.
Author's photo added 9-25-2023.
Author's photo added 9-25-2023.
Author's photo added 9-25-2023.
Author's photo added 9-25-2023.
Federal Type 2G 4x2 2-1/2-ton Dump Truck: These are very rare
with only 1,493 built in 1943-44.
This Federal 2G dump truck is owned by Paul
Rea. It runs and is on his restoration list. Photo
courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 10-29-2020.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added
10-29-2020.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added
10-29-2020.
The four photos below are courtesy of BAIV B.V in The Netherlands.
The Federal 2G dump truck is currently for sale by BAIV B.V.
This is one of only 4 surviving trucks of the 1,493 built during World War Two and would make
an excellent restoration addition for any serious collector. BAIV
B.V. can be contacted at:
https://www.baiv.nl/federal-model-2g-2-1-2-ton-dump-truck/
This truck is chassis number 18987.
Photo courtesy of BAIV B.V.
Photo courtesy of BAIV B.V.
Photo courtesy of BAIV B.V.
Photo courtesy of BAIV B.V.
Federal Type 604 20-ton, 6x4 Diesel Tractor:
Photo added 1-17-2021.
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