1944 M25A1 'Dragon Wagon'

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Offered here is one of the most iconic heavy vehicles of World War II, the legendary M25A1 Pacific “Dragon Wagon” Tank Transporter,  the M26A1 truck complete with its M15A1 45-ton semitrailer (M5A1 Stuart Light Tank not included in sale). Recognized as the largest wheeled vehicle manufactured and fielded by the U.S. Army during WWII, this remarkable machine is both a mechanical marvel and a powerful symbol of wartime engineering.This M25A1 has undergone a complete nut-and-bolt restoration, ...

Offered here is one of the most iconic heavy vehicles of World War II, the legendary M25A1 Pacific “Dragon Wagon” Tank Transporter,  the M26A1 truck complete with its M15A1 45-ton semitrailer (M5A1 Stuart Light Tank not included in sale). Recognized as the largest wheeled vehicle manufactured and fielded by the U.S. Army during WWII, this remarkable machine is both a mechanical marvel and a powerful symbol of wartime engineering.

This M25A1 has undergone a complete nut-and-bolt restoration, and many spares and accessories are included in the sale.

Note: The M5A1 Stuart Light Tank shown in the pictures is for display purposes only and is not for sale and not part of this auction.

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Location
Old Bethpage, New York, United States of America
Year of construction
1944
Country of origin
United States of America
Manufacturer
Pacific Car & Foundry Co. of Seattle, Washington
Type
M26A1 tractor & M15A1 semi-trailer
Condition
Class A restored / full working condition
Margin Goods
Yes margin goods; No VAT applicable
€ 429.000,-
Incl. commission
Contact us

Details

Condition

Offered here is one of the most iconic heavy vehicles of World War II, the legendary M25A1 Pacific “Dragon Wagon” Tank Transporter,  the M26A1 truck complete with its M15A1 45-ton semitrailer. Recognized as the largest wheeled vehicle manufactured and fielded by the U.S. Army during WWII, this remarkable machine is both a mechanical marvel and a powerful symbol of wartime engineering.

This example began its postwar life in Europe under the care of Army Cars Holland before being brought back to the United States by Army Cars USA in Wisconsin. A partial restoration was performed prior to its acquisition by the Museum of American Armor in Old Bethpage, New York, where a complete and faithful restoration effort was launched to return this combination to operational condition and original specification.

Restoration & Provenance

Once at the museum, the M26A1 underwent an extensive, detail-oriented restoration. Every effort was made to preserve originality, including the retention of its Hall-Scott 440 six-cylinder engine and drive-train, displacing 1,090 cubic inches and delivering 240 horsepower with an astounding 810 ft-lbs of torque at 1,200 rpm.

Even the oxygen and acetylene bottles are vintage and surplus U.S. military. The only modernization is the addition of a spring brake system, required under U.S. Department of Transportation regulations for vehicles operating on public roads. This modification was executed as a reversible, bolt-on assembly that does not alter the original configuration, and all original parts are included in the sale.

Parts were sourced globally, including components recovered from the now historic Dragon Wagon boneyard in La Calmette, France, near Marseille, where the 455th Ordnance Evacuation Company once operated one of the largest WWII recovery depots in Europe. Many parts were restored or used as precise templates for reproductions of rare sheet metal components.

Noteworthy is the fact that the fuel tanks and sender units have been remanufactured in stainless steel, made as exact reproductions of the original components. This ensures long-term reliability and reflects the level of care, investment, and attention to detail that went into achieving both technical excellence and period-correct authenticity throughout the restoration.

Some of the Many Spares and Accessories Included in the Sale Include:

  • All original take-off components from the air brake system prior to spring brake retrofit

  • 300-foot spool of 7/8” 6x19 plow steel wire rope cable for tandem winch

  • Dummy .50 caliber M2 HB machine gun

  • .50 caliber machine gun cradle

  • .50 caliber machine gun tripod with canvas cover

  • .50 caliber spare barrel with cover

  • .50 caliber ammo cans

  • Appropriate pioneer tools

  • Bolt cutters

  • First aid kit

  • Flashlights

  • Decontaminating units

  • Canteen’s

  • Crew blankets

  • Radio Receiver Transmitter BC-659

  • Radio Case CS-79

  • Radio antenna and bag

  • Signal flags

  • Gas cans

  • Water cans

  • Sledgehammer

  • Original wrenches & other tools

  • Work lights

  • Tire inflator and compressor nozzles with gladhand ends

  • Extra chain links

  • Extra clevis pins

  • Vintage Oxygen Tank “Ordnance Department” (current certification and full)

  • Vintage Helium Tank “US Army Air Service Balloon” (current certification and full)

  • Helium regulator for helium balloons (new)

  • Vintage “U. S. Gov’t” Acetylene Tank

  • Whiffle tree

  • Towbar

  • Pulleys

  • Trailer power cable

  • Fire extinguishers

  • Camouflage net

  • Canvas top

  • Spare canvas top (damaged)

  • NOS right side curtain

  • Spotlight

  • Siren

  • Chain fall on trolley

  • Tire hook

  • Spare toolbox on trailer

  • Spare take out radiator (needs service)

  • New Optima Gel Cell Batteries and tender fitted in original battery mount bracket

  • Original metal body panels from derelict M26A1 truck

Summary

A rare opportunity to acquire one of the most imposing and historically significant U.S. military recovery vehicles ever built. With its extensive restoration, provenance through Army Cars Holland and the Museum of American Armor, and global parts sourcing, this Dragon Wagon represents a pinnacle of WWII vehicle preservation, and a truly unmatched addition to any serious military vehicle collection.

Note: The M5A1 Stuart Light Tank shown in the pictures is for display purposes only and is not for sale and not part of this auction.

Technical details

Specifications Tractor
Manufacturer
Pacific Car & Foundry Co. of Seattle, Washington
Model
M26A1
Manufacturing date
1944
Serial number
598304
Length
25 ft 4 in (7,7 m)
Width
10 ft 10,75 in (3,3 m)
Height
11 ft 5 in (3,47 m)
Weight
42.000 lb (19 t)
Max. speed
28 mph (45 km/h)
Operational range
120 mi (193.1 km)
Engine
Hall-Scott Model 440, 6 cyl., 1090 cubic inch, 240 HP, Gasoline
Transmission
4 speed x 3 speed
Crew
7
Main armament
.50 cal M2HB machine gun
Armor
N/a
Production numbers
Approx. 1300
Specifications Trailer
Manufacturer
Fruehauf Trailer Company of Detroit, Michigan,
Model
M15A1
Manufacturing date
Serial number
FW5945
Length
38 ft 5,06 in (11,6)
Width
12 ft 6 in (3,81)
Height
8 ft 9 in (2,66 m)
Weight
42,370 lb (19,2 t)
Pay load
90.000 lb (40 t)
Length (Tractor + trailer)
58 ft 6 in (17,83 m)

History

Nicknamed the “Dragon Wagon” for its sheer size and power, the M26A1 was the lifeline of U.S. armored divisions, rescuing and transporting disabled tanks from the front lines. Its size, capability, and complexity made it a mechanical legend of the Second World War.

In 1942 a new 40 ton semi-trailer tank transporter was needed with better off-road performance than the M9 24 small-wheel trailer, and greater capacity than the 30 ton 8 large-wheel Shelvoke and Drewry semi-trailers used by the Diamont T tractor unit. Designed by the Freuehauf Trailer Company of Detroit, Michigan, it was heavier than the Diamond T could manage. A companion M26 tractor was designed by the San Francisco-based Knuckey Truck Company. When it could not keep up with the Army's demands, production was awarded to the Pacific Car & Foundry Co. of Seattle, Washington.

It was powered by a 1,090 cubic inch Hall-Scott 440 gasoline engine. It used two 60,000-pound capacity winches and a 35,000 pound capacity winch mounted in the front for recovery operations. The max speed was 28 mph. The M26 Pacific which came before the M26A1 featured an armored cab. The recovery of the knocked-out tanks often times did not take place during the heat of battle and therefore the M26A1 design replaced the armored cab with a non-armored version. This reduced unneeded weight and reduced the cost to build the vehicle. This truck has dual chain drive that transfers power to the rear wheels. This vehicle had a crew of 7 men that rode in it and served as mechanics, and crewmen when recovering armored vehicles.

Only around 1,300 M25/M25A1 Dragon Wagons were produced during WWII (663 M26A1 "Dragon Wagon were non-armored), and only a handful of complete examples remain today, fewer still are operational.

Feel free to get in touch

Ivo Rigter Sr.

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