1944 H542-9 Tractor & Fruehauf Trailer Combo

The M425 is a rare truck, but its combination with the Fruehauf CPT 22 Semi Trailer makes it truly unique. The Fruehauf CPT 22, with a loading capacity of 48,500 lbs (22,000 kg), is ideal for transporting light tanks and armored vehicles, ranging from worshop visits to events around the country and beyond.

Location

Nederweert, The Netherlands

Year of construction

1944

Country of origin

United States of America

Manufacturer

International Harvester Company

Type

Tractor: M 425 COE/Trailer: CPT-22

Condition

Older restoration/ Good running condition

Details

Condition

This combination is a remarkable discovery, with the M425 COE originating from France and the CPT 22 from the Netherlands. In the 1980s, the M425 was directly released from the army and has never been used for civilian purposes. It was restored near Versailles, France, where the original Red Diamond engine was replaced with a Hispano Suiza Diesel. Additionally, an original WWII-era Tulsa winch was installed on the rear bed for hauling operations in conjunction with the trailer.

Although both units are older restorations, the M425 COE and the CPT 22 semi-trailer remain in good condition. They will undergo complete servicing in our Nederweert workshop prior to delivery. The original engine has been replaced by a reliable Hispano Suiza 6-cylinder diesel engine and an additional WW-II model winch has been fitted on the rear deck for recovery and haulage operations.

The International Harvester has French papers, but has no Dutch road registration.

Note1: Our trusted partner, BAIV, is a recognized restoration company with extensive experience in obtaining Dutch vehicle registrations and import/export permits. They can assist with these processes as needed; certain conditions do apply. We recommend contacting Track & Trade before bidding to discuss available options and any potential costs involved.

Specifications

Technical details

Specifications Tractor:
Manufacturer: International Harvester Company
Model: Truck, 5-ton, 4 x 2, Tractor (COE), M425 (Model H542-9)
Chassis number: 5391
Manufacturing date: 1944
Length: 16 ft 8 in (5,08 m)
Width: 7 ft 10 in (2,5 m)
Height: 8 ft 11 in (2,7 m)
Height (top down): 7 ft 7 in (2.1 m)
Weight: 11.400 Ib. (5.175 kg)
Max. speed: 35 mph (56 km/h)
Operational range (loaded): 280 miles (450 km)
Engine (currently): Hispano Suiza 6-cylinder, diesel
Crew: 2
Production numbers: 4640
Road registration: No Dutch road registration (French papers included)

Specifications Trailer:
Manufacturer: Fruehauf Trailer Company
Model trailer: Semi-Trailer, Flat Bed, 22-Ton Model CPT-22
Chassis number: 14869
Manufacturing date: 1943
Length: 39 ft (11,9 m)
Width: 8 ft 8 in (2,6 m)
Height: 5 ft 7 in (1,70 m)
Weight: 12.790 lb. (5.801 kg)
Loading capacity: 48,500 Ib. (22.000 kg)
Road registration: No Dutch road registration (French papers included)

History

The International Harvester Company (in short IHC) of Chicago, Illinois was one of the leading manufacturers of vehicles in WW-II. In 1943 the US Ordnance Corps initiated designs for a new, compact semi-tactical 4×2 tractor truck, with short wheelbase and overall length and a military pattern soft-top cab, mounted over the engine, to supplant the potpourri of existing types.
Two variants were envisaged: a light type for use with 16-foot 5-ton semi-trailers and an up-rated, heavier type for hauling 25-foot 10-ton semi-trailers. They were intended for use by the Transportation Corps and by Ordnance.

The vehicles were developed and prototyped by International and went into quantity production in early 1944 with model designations H-542-9 and H-542-11.

Deployment

The truck was a very welcome and successful piece of equipment for all strategic purposes such a long-distance road haulage of cargo. Main areas of operation became the China/Burma/India theatre and the ETOUSA (European Theatre of Operations, US Army).
Many were used by the truck companies of the Quartermaster Corps in the Communications Zone of ETOUSA. A nice example was the 3885th QM Truck Company (TC) which trucked supplies and reinforcements to the front lines from D-Day to VE-Day). The 542s were also in evidence in such operations as the Berlin Airlift soon after the war.