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Spiros Pendedekas
156 articles

Monogram 1/48 Cletrac M2

October 28, 2022 · in Armor · · 15 · 1K

The M2 is a fully tracked vehicle designed to tow aircraft on primitive airfields.

It was equipped with a 10,000 lb winch with 300 ft of 3⁄8 in cable, an auxiliary 110V generator and an air compressor. It was powered by a 404cid Hercules WXLC3 engine driving a 4-speed transmission, making the vehicle capable of attaining speeds up to 22mph. Its rubber tracks deemed it suitable for operation on all types of WWII airfields.

A controlled differential was used for steering, which would downshift one track when the corresponding steering lever is pulled. In this way, power is always being transmitted to both tracks, meaning that the Cletrac had a theoretical disadvantage (for a “bulldozer” style vehicle) of not fully locking one track, in order to spot-turn.

However, for its intended use, this proved to be an advantage, as not only it would not tear up the airfield, but also offer smoother steering action and improved safety on steep slopes.

Apart from the swinging drawbar used in towing aircraft, a general purpose trailer hook was also present. The vehicle featured a 110 VDC 3 kW generator mounted on the right, which could provide electrical power for aircraft starting, whereas the rear mounted air compressor would provide both low (used for air tools) and high pressure air (for charging aircraft oleos).

The powerful front mounted winch only added up to the usefulness of this successful vehicle, of which 8510 were built.
This Cletrac “kit” is included the well known Monogram 1/48 Liberator. A nevertheless simplistic representation of the original, it is an easy, uncomplicated build, where with some extra effort, can depart from a "toy" towards a "model".
Should you wish to read the full build review, you may do so by visiting my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/misc/vehicles/us/other/penm2.htm

Happy Modelling!

Reader reactions:
8  Awesome

15 responses

  1. Nice! Do you have anything in mind to display being hauled?

  2. I will add from myself that the license of this vehicle was sold to the USSR where the entire line of vehicles called Staliniec was produced for many years.

  3. Amazing result on this little Cletrac, Spiros @fiveten
    Nice to read article about this workhorse as well.

  4. Nice! I think there might be one in the museum that I volunteer at, I'll have to check. A few kits use to include a tow vehicle.

  5. Great little model, Spiros, a real one must be fun to use.

  6. Nice! I did not know such things were molded, this would have made a nice addition to that B-17 I did awhile ago

  7. Nice job on that little add on from the B-24 kit. It really doesn't look bad overall for as simple as it is. You certainly made it look more than it it is. I didn't build mine this time, I really want to get the resin one that was shown on this site a while back, its just too damn expensive.

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