The Diamond-T Model 980 was introduced during the Second World War. This highly capable tractor from the United States went on to serve the Australian Army well into the 1960s.
The Centurion tank at around 50 tonne presented many movement problems which were eased somewhat with the introduction of the Australian 60 tonne transporter trailer, and Leyland Scammell Contractor tractor.
The Leopard was a lighter, more compact tank and presented fewer movement problems than its predecessor. Improvements to the National road network and a new tractor added to the ease with which the International SF2670 semi trailer combination could move Leopard around the country.
|
During the Second World War Australia acquired hundreds of tanks through the United States Lend Lease program, the heaviest weighing around 30 tonnes.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) needed to transport these tanks and acquired the Diamond-T Model 980 tractor and the Rogers 40 tonne tank transporter trailer for the job. This tractor-trailer combination could easily handle all the tanks received during the war.
In fact, the Diamond-T Model 980 was such a good heavy tractor that it persisted well into the post World War II period when Australia faced its biggest challenge yet; the introduction of the 50 tonne Centurion family of tanks. These began arriving in September 1951, and presented considerable difficulty in terms of movement around the country.
The Diamond-T Model 980 tractor was near its limit with the Centurion, as were many of the bridges and roads around the country! The ADF acquired new trailers including the Dyson trailer and later the 60 tonne tank transporter trailer manufactured by the Ordnance Factory Maribyrnong, Victoria, which could easily support the Centurion’s weight.
In the 1960’s the more capable Leyland Scammell Contractor model tractor progressively replaced the Diamond-T. The Contractor, powered by a Cummins NTC 335 diesel engine, was easily capable of towing the 60 tonne semi-trailer tank transporter with a Centurion tank aboard at speeds more acceptable to modern traffic.
In 1977 the Leopard AS1 tank fleet replaced the Centurion, and there was a marked change in transporting requirements. The Leopard was 10 tonnes lighter than the Centurion and presented few transportation problems. So, in the 1980s when the Leyland Scammell Contractors were due for replacement, the International SF2670 tractor with its bigger Cummins NTC 365 engine was introduced along with a more streamlined semi-trailer. It was a step into the future, the vehicle was faster, more powerful, and equipped with a sleeper cab for the crew; an essential item for transporting tanks over long haulage distances. At last, there was the capability to move tanks from the home of the first Armoured Regiment at Puckapunyal, to more distant training grounds in Queensland , the Northern Territory and South Australia .
The Leopard AS1 tank fleet and International SF2670 tractor combination have served the Army until this month, which heralds the introduction of the Abrams tank.
The Abrams, at over 60 tonnes combat weight requires both a newer, more capable tractor and a purpose built transporter trailer. This support equipment will be supplied by prime contractor MAN Military Vehicles Systems Australia Pty Ltd supported by Drake Trailers Pty Ltd in Brisbane , built to Australian military and civilian road authority requirements. Australia has come a long way since the Diamond-T Model 980 of the Second World War, and this new capability will serve the Australian Army for many years to come.
Army's new Heavy Tank Transporter
|
