Military Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
in: Articles using infobox automobile, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Military trucks of the United States,
and 2 more

Changes: Liberty truck

Back to page
Sign in to edit
m (Remove some templates. interwiki links, delink non military terms, cleanup and move Wikipedia link above categories, replaced: ==References== {{reflist}} * Army Motors number 100 (2002) ==External links== {{Commons}} * http://www.transchool.eust...)
m (→‎External links: Refine categories and cleanup, replaced: Category:Military vehicles 1910–1919 → Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1910s)
 
(5 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 10: Line 10:
 
|platform=
  
|platform=
 
|layout=
 
|layout=
−
|engine= Gasoline, 425 Cu. In. [[L-head]], 4-cycle, 52 Hp,
 +
|engine= Gasoline, 425 Cu. In. L-head, 4-cycle, 52 Hp,
 
|transmission= 4 speed, 4X2,
  
|transmission= 4 speed, 4X2,
 
|length= 261 In.
  
|length= 261 In.
Line 23: Line 23:
 
}}
  
}}
   
−
The '''Liberty truck''' was a [[United States Army]] [[vehicle]] used in [[World War I]].
 +
The '''Liberty truck''' was a [[United States Army]] vehicle used in [[World War I]].
   
 
==History==
  
==History==
 
The liberty truck was designed by the Motor Transport section of the [[Quartermaster Corps]] in cooperation with the members of the [[Society of Automotive Engineers]].
  
The liberty truck was designed by the Motor Transport section of the [[Quartermaster Corps]] in cooperation with the members of the [[Society of Automotive Engineers]].
−
Production of the 3–5&nbsp;ton truck began in 1917, and the first models appeared ten weeks after the design was standardized. Of the almost 9,500 produced by 15&nbsp;manufacturers, more than 7,500 were sent overseas. The Liberty's four-speed [[Transmission (mechanics)|transmission]] coupled with its 52-hp engine gave the truck a [[top speed]] of about {{convert|15|mph}}.<ref>{{citation |title=WWI STANDARD B "LIBERTY" TRUCK|url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8126 |publisher=National Museum of the US Air Force |accessdate=2009-11-24}}</ref>
 +
Production of the 3–5&nbsp;ton truck began in 1917, and the first models appeared ten weeks after the design was standardized. Of the almost 9,500 produced by 15&nbsp;manufacturers, more than 7,500 were sent overseas. The Liberty's four-speed transmission coupled with its 52-hp engine gave the truck a top speed of about {{convert|15|mph}}.<ref>{{citation |title=WWI STANDARD B "LIBERTY" TRUCK|url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8126 |publisher=National Museum of the US Air Force |accessdate=2009-11-24}}</ref>
 
[[File:WWI Liberty truck.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A "Liberty truck", the first standardized US army truck]]
  
[[File:WWI Liberty truck.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A "Liberty truck", the first standardized US army truck]]
   
Line 34: Line 34:
   
 
** Battery, generator and distributor with electrical lighting system, in addition to the independent [[magneto ignition]]
  
** Battery, generator and distributor with electrical lighting system, in addition to the independent [[magneto ignition]]
−
** [[Distributor]] and [[ignition magneto|magneto]] systems with independent [[sparkplugs]] and wires (two per cylinder)
 +
** Distributor and magneto systems with independent [[sparkplugs]] and wires (two per cylinder)
 
** Ball and coil spring device to hold starter crank up in front
  
** Ball and coil spring device to hold starter crank up in front
 
** Primarily wooden spoke wheels vs. more robust steel wheels but Steel wheels were issued on 1st variant in later production (reference photo of Indiana manufacturing plant storage lot)
  
** Primarily wooden spoke wheels vs. more robust steel wheels but Steel wheels were issued on 1st variant in later production (reference photo of Indiana manufacturing plant storage lot)
Line 48: Line 48:
 
*Series II
  
*Series II
   
−
** [[Ignition magneto|Magneto]] only, (distributor, battery, generator and electrical light systems removed)
 +
** Magneto only, (distributor, battery, generator and electrical light systems removed)
 
** Pressed steel spring clip to hold starting crank, vs. ball under spring clamp
  
** Pressed steel spring clip to hold starting crank, vs. ball under spring clamp
 
** Acetylene Gas illuminated spot/driving light in the center of the dashboard
  
** Acetylene Gas illuminated spot/driving light in the center of the dashboard
Line 68: Line 68:
 
* One at the [[Oregon Military Museum]].
  
* One at the [[Oregon Military Museum]].
 
* One at the Iowa Military museum. [http://www.iowanationalguard.com/museum/Museum.htm]
  
* One at the Iowa Military museum. [http://www.iowanationalguard.com/museum/Museum.htm]
−
* One at the [[Allen County Museum]], [[Lima, Ohio]]. [http://www.allencountymuseum.org/Home.html]
 +
* One at the [[Allen County Museum]], Lima, Ohio. [http://www.allencountymuseum.org/Home.html]
−
* One at the Camp Creek showgrounds near [[Waverly, Nebraska|Waverly]], [[Nebraska]]
 +
* One at the Camp Creek showgrounds near [[Waverly, Nebraska|Waverly]], Nebraska
−
* One at the National Marine Corps Museum at Quantico. [[Triangle, Virginia]]
 +
* One at the National Marine Corps Museum at Quantico. Triangle, Virginia
 
* One at the Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry Austin, Texas
  
* One at the Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry Austin, Texas
 
* Two at the Lemay Family Collection Foundation Spanaway, Washington. [http://www.lemaymarymount.org]
  
* Two at the Lemay Family Collection Foundation Spanaway, Washington. [http://www.lemaymarymount.org]
Line 76: Line 76:
 
==See also==
  
==See also==
 
* [[M1918 light repair truck]]
  
* [[M1918 light repair truck]]
−
* [[Four Wheel Drive]] Co.
  
−
* [[Republic Motor Truck Company]]
  
−
* [[Thomas B. Jeffery Company]] (Nash Quad)
  
 
* [[Motor Transport Corps (United States Army) (World War I)]]
  
* [[Motor Transport Corps (United States Army) (World War I)]]
 
* [[U.S. Army Transportation Corps]]
  
* [[U.S. Army Transportation Corps]]
  +
 
==References==
  
==References==
 
{{reflist}}
  
{{reflist}}
Line 97: Line 95:
 
[[Category:Military trucks of the United States]]
  
[[Category:Military trucks of the United States]]
 
[[Category:World War I vehicles]]
  
[[Category:World War I vehicles]]
−
[[Category:Military vehicles 1910–1919]]
 +
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1910s]]

Latest revision as of 02:10, 10 February 2021

Liberty truck
Liberty truck
Overview
Manufacturer Various
Production 17,093
Body and chassis
Class B 3 to 5 ton
Body style open cab, Cargo truck
Powertrain
Engine Gasoline, 425 Cu. In. L-head, 4-cycle, 52 Hp,
Transmission 4 speed, 4X2,
Dimensions
Wheelbase 160.5 In.
Length 261 In.
Width 84 In.
Height 75 In.
Curb weight 3/5 ton

The Liberty truck was a United States Army vehicle used in World War I.

History

The liberty truck was designed by the Motor Transport section of the Quartermaster Corps in cooperation with the members of the Society of Automotive Engineers. Production of the 3–5 ton truck began in 1917, and the first models appeared ten weeks after the design was standardized. Of the almost 9,500 produced by 15 manufacturers, more than 7,500 were sent overseas. The Liberty's four-speed transmission coupled with its 52-hp engine gave the truck a top speed of about 15 miles per hour (24 km/h).[1]

WWI Liberty truck

A "Liberty truck", the first standardized US army truck

Variants

  • Series I
    • Battery, generator and distributor with electrical lighting system, in addition to the independent magneto ignition
    • Distributor and magneto systems with independent sparkplugs and wires (two per cylinder)
    • Ball and coil spring device to hold starter crank up in front
    • Primarily wooden spoke wheels vs. more robust steel wheels but Steel wheels were issued on 1st variant in later production (reference photo of Indiana manufacturing plant storage lot)
    • Single clamp hold-down radiator cap threaded in the center into the radiator
    • Electric side lights
    • Electric Guide lights up front on the frame horn members inside wheel area
    • Electric tail lamp
    • Electrical troubleshooting lamp plug in dash
    • Dual ignition switch on dash for battery or magneto ignition
    • Ammeter in dash switch cluster (lights/battery/mag, the gauge and a plug socket for a trouble light)
    • Single dash-mounted fuel tank which gravity fed the carburetor
  • Series II
    • Magneto only, (distributor, battery, generator and electrical light systems removed)
    • Pressed steel spring clip to hold starting crank, vs. ball under spring clamp
    • Acetylene Gas illuminated spot/driving light in the center of the dashboard
    • Acetylene Gas illuminated side lights (possible transition from electric as they dropped the battery system)
    • Oil wick rear taillamp
    • Spring-mounted oil fill caps raised to vertical level for easier filling on suspension
    • Oil filler for engine moved to rear of block
    • Radiator uses flip-type cap with hinge to rear and lock bolts on the sides
    • Second fuel tank under passenger seat
    • Fuel tank hand pump on extreme right of cab for transferring fuel from the underseat mounted rear tank to primary dash mounted tank (co-driver job)

Surviving examples

See also

References

  1. ↑ "WWI STANDARD B "LIBERTY" TRUCK". National Museum of the US Air Force. http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8126. Retrieved 2009-11-24. 
  • Army Motors number 100 (2002)

External links

Commons-Logo Wikimedia Commons has media related to Liberty truck.
All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Liberty truck and the edit history here.
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.