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M54 (truck)
Encyclopedia
The M54 Truck, officially designated Truck, Cargo, 5 Ton 6×6 M54, is a heavy cargo truck developed by, and deployed primarily with, the United States Armed Forces
. The vehicle is a member of the M39 series of trucks. It is rated for five-ton cargo loads, cross-country, and ten-ton cargo loads, highway, making it a heavy truck. The basic M54 is fitted with a Continental
gasoline
engine, whereas variants had different engines (see below).
The vehicle is approximately 25 feet long and weighs approximately 10 tons when empty.
The M54 was the primary heavy truck of the US Army and US Marine forces during the Vietnam War
. It was used to haul cargo, and was also modified to serve as a gun truck
by adding armour and various weapons, including double, or Quadmount
.50 caliber machine guns. The truck was also used by the US Navy, and US Air Force, and was deployed by ARVN forces in Vietnam as well.
Although most noted for its extensive use in Vietnam, the rugged, reliable M54 continues to serve in armed forces around the world to the present day.
diesel engine
) and the M54A2 (fitted with a Continental
multifuel
turbocharged engine). Other than the different engine types, the two trucks are identical. The truck was modified to serve as a dropside cargo vehicle as well, these being designated M54A1C and M54A2C, and wrecker and tractor variants of the M54 were also deployed. Service variations existed as well, the most notable of which was the tall intake on the air cleaner of M54s deployed by the US Marine Corps.
Other variants include:
M51 Dump trucks,
M52 Tractor trucks,
M62 Wreckers,
Tractor-wreckers,
Van trucks,
Bridge trucks,
Repair shop trucks,
Rocket launchers.
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
. The vehicle is a member of the M39 series of trucks. It is rated for five-ton cargo loads, cross-country, and ten-ton cargo loads, highway, making it a heavy truck. The basic M54 is fitted with a Continental
Continental Motors Company
Continental Motors Company was an American engine and automobile manufacturer. The company produced engines for various independent manufacturers of automobiles, tractors, and stationary equipment from the 1900s through the 1960s. Continental Motors also produced Continental-branded automobiles in...
gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline , or petrol , is a toxic, translucent, petroleum-derived liquid that is primarily used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives. Some gasolines also contain...
engine, whereas variants had different engines (see below).
The vehicle is approximately 25 feet long and weighs approximately 10 tons when empty.
The M54 was the primary heavy truck of the US Army and US Marine forces during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. It was used to haul cargo, and was also modified to serve as a gun truck
Gun truck
A military gun truck is an improvised fighting vehicle used by units of regular armies or other official government armed forces, based on a conventional cargo truck, that is able to carry a large weight of weapons and armor...
by adding armour and various weapons, including double, or Quadmount
Quadmount
The M45 Quadmount was a weapon mounting consisting of four M2 Browning machine guns mounted in pairs on each side of an electrically powered turret. It was built by the Maxon Manufacturing Co...
.50 caliber machine guns. The truck was also used by the US Navy, and US Air Force, and was deployed by ARVN forces in Vietnam as well.
Although most noted for its extensive use in Vietnam, the rugged, reliable M54 continues to serve in armed forces around the world to the present day.
Variants
There are two main variants of the truck, the M54A1 (fitted with a MackMack Trucks
Mack Trucks is an American truck-manufacturing company and a former manufacturer of buses and trolley buses. A wholly owned subsidiary of Renault Véhicules Industriels since 1990, Mack Trucks is currently a subsidiary of AB Volvo. The company's headquarters are located in Greensboro, North Carolina...
diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
) and the M54A2 (fitted with a Continental
Continental Motors Company
Continental Motors Company was an American engine and automobile manufacturer. The company produced engines for various independent manufacturers of automobiles, tractors, and stationary equipment from the 1900s through the 1960s. Continental Motors also produced Continental-branded automobiles in...
multifuel
Multifuel
Multifuel, sometimes spelled multi-fuel, is a term applied to any type of engine, boiler, or heater or other fuel-burning device which is designed to burn multiple types of fuels in its operation...
turbocharged engine). Other than the different engine types, the two trucks are identical. The truck was modified to serve as a dropside cargo vehicle as well, these being designated M54A1C and M54A2C, and wrecker and tractor variants of the M54 were also deployed. Service variations existed as well, the most notable of which was the tall intake on the air cleaner of M54s deployed by the US Marine Corps.
Other variants include:
M51 Dump trucks,
M52 Tractor trucks,
M62 Wreckers,
Tractor-wreckers,
Van trucks,
Bridge trucks,
Repair shop trucks,
Rocket launchers.
See also
- G-numbers (SNL G744)
- M35 2½ ton cargo truck
- List of "M" series military vehicles