T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

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T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

Post by 70th Division » Wed Jul 25, 2018 10:26 pm

Hello,

I wanted to share some pictures of a StudebakerT-24 Weasel that I rescued last week.
For the last year or so, people driving by wave or
stop by when I am working on my Jeep barn.
One day I had my halftrack brought around to move it into its new "stable", the Jeep barn :D
That day a guy stopped in and said his family had a weasel for the last 30 years or more, but wanted to find good home for it to relocate to, and not be scrapped or parted out. He liked that I have been saving the WW2 Historical Vehicles that I can.
They all respected its military history during WW2.

So..... happy that it would be going to a good new home, I went and bought it and picked it up.
It is a T-24, with hull number 1304.
They are looking for its actual data plate, which he has for certain, and will call me when it is found.
He said it was rebuilt in Germany.
The 1 plate I was given so far was a Norwegian shift pattern plate.
This is yet another European WW2 Veteran vehicle that has been added to the many that I currently have.
So to state again, many, many vehicles I have found here in the USA, have come back from Europe !!!
The weasel was bought in the 1970's from a surplus dealer.
Naturally, it has rusted through floors, and the tracks are also rusted with broken rubber bands.
The running gear is all there, and was running well, until the tracks failed, etc.
The engine was filled with oil before they stored in under cover, via the spark plugs, so that is a plus.
They said it was painted white when they first got it. It still has top bows, and seats.
I NEED TO GET BUSY BUILDING MORE BARNS,ASAP !!!!!!!
Here are some pics :
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Re: T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

Post by Fabrizio » Wed Jul 25, 2018 10:50 pm

Very nice find!
I chatted with two guys here in France that rebuilt their m29s, be sure you are into something adventurous!

The base looks quite nice, best of luck with it!
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Re: T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

Post by 17thAirborne » Thu Jul 26, 2018 5:42 am

Nice find...yes build more barns
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Re: T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

Post by Mark Jesic » Thu Jul 26, 2018 5:48 am

Was this type of vehicle used in late WW2 ? And roughly how many were manufactured ? It looks an interesting find.

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Re: T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

Post by 70th Division » Thu Jul 26, 2018 6:14 am

Hello,

Thanks guys !!
I need to get busy building more barns, and I will !!

They look like a lot of fun, and I have been on Youtube watching all the great videos of weasels in the snow and mud.
They are awesome !!!!

Mark, they were used throughout WW2, on all fronts in Europe and the Pacific, and by the US, Britain, Canada, and other Allies.
A British designer actually came up with the design, to invade and destroy the Germans Heavy Water Atomic Bomb program in Norway !!

The entire heavy water supply was destroyed, but the weasels were not used during that incredible mission by Norwegian Commandos.

The weasel was a British/American masterpiece of work :D :D :D :D :D


They had 2 basic versions, one being amphibious with rudders, (M29C) , and, the T-24/ M29 but both would float and cross water, snow, mud, sand, etc .
They built over 15,000 Weasels during WW2.

They are a little bigger than a jeep, but very close in size, and are under 2 tons in weight.
They were made by Studebaker Car company.

Here is a link for info, and some great videos :

http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/U ... m29-weasel

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M29_Weasel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE73jfguqhQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTWh2LCuRV4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K6qJFivfEw

I am happy that the guy stopped and offered it to me !!

Best Regards,

Ray

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Re: T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

Post by 17thAirborne » Thu Jul 26, 2018 6:33 am

I recall reading a story of their use in the Huertgen Forest as the only vehicle capable of negotiating the muddy trail through the woods to deliver supplies and bring back wounded.
weasel.jpg
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Re: T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

Post by 17thAirborne » Thu Jul 26, 2018 6:53 am

From the Book: Victory 1945: Western Allied Troops in Northwest Europe
huertgen.jpg
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Re: T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Jul 26, 2018 7:30 am

Ford was entering the Weasel picture late in WWII.
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Re: T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

Post by 70th Division » Thu Jul 26, 2018 9:12 am

Hello Ben, Oz, Mark and Fabrizio,

Just think that if Studebaker concentrated on a civilian/recreational ATV market like exists today, which they actually started back then, they might still be around.
Imagine if they focused on their great Weasel product line and their development
just like Willys-Overland focused on their Jeep line .
They might still be here today making all sorts of snow, mud, sand and fun vehicles !!! :D

Much like they switched from being a major horse wagon manufacturer to an auto and truck company at the dawn of the 20th Century !

Best Regards,

Ray

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Re: T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

Post by Mark Jesic » Thu Jul 26, 2018 11:11 am

Ray thank you for that information, it was really interesting, and good luck with the restoration. :D

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Re: T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

Post by 70th Division » Thu Jul 26, 2018 6:12 pm

Hello Mark,

Yes, these are quite an interesting vehicle, and as useful as a jeep, but can really go almost anywhere,
which other vehicles could not even attempt. They go pretty fast as well.
They also can go on roads with out damaging them due to rubber road cleats.
This is the first one I have ever found available.

The pintle hitch has the exact same foundry marks as found on Willys MB jeeps.

It was an outstanding design, and it is a true honor to get this Studebaker from the people who used it abundantly until recent years, since the 1970's.

The troops that used them, and those who appreciated this vehicle, and what it did in WW2,
will be pleased that it will be saved from the scrap heap. Too many vehicles of late are getting stripped for components
to build something else.
The owner was asked to sell it for the running gear many times but refused.
That is to be respected!

You can see the white paint on the bogey wheels and undercarriage, from it's time in Norway, and maybe the
US Army had it painted white as well. Many were painted white at the Studebaker factory in a camouflage pattern .
The Norwegians no doubt took very good care of this weasel, as they did all their equipment.

The current poor condition was due to the Florida wet weather and sand soils in south Florida.

This one was sandblasted, being white before they sandblasted the sides.
On top of the top bows there are extension added by the Norwegians to carry and strap their snow skis to them :D :D :D

The tracks can be rebuilt (labor intensive) , by removing track cleat rivets, and using 1/2 inch thick, and 3/4 inch industrial rubber conveyor belts and piles of bolts to bolt them to the conveyor belt .
It is now a standard practice and very successful as well. I will be doing this .

New tracks are also being made in USA, but are more expensive than the great new halftrack tracks, but for someone that can afford them, an excellent option !!!


Best Regards,

Ray
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Last edited by 70th Division on Mon Aug 20, 2018 4:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Jul 27, 2018 2:58 pm

They also share air cleaners with MB/GPW.
Those of us that were around in the 40's-50's that remember the Studebaker car from that era will remember the familiar blue exhaust smoke cloud from their engine.
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Re: T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

Post by 70th Division » Fri Jul 27, 2018 4:54 pm

Hello Ben,

Thanks for that info, the air cleaner was misplaced when I got it last week, but I have some jeep ones.
I will hook it up once I get ready to start it up .
I appreciate your insight as always.

PS- Do you think a good running Weasel could make it up to the top of Mount Washington, New Hampshire some day ?

Best Regards,

Ray

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Re: T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Jul 28, 2018 9:13 am

Am sure the Army tested it on MT Washington back then, I would think twice now before attempting it. I'll bet there may be some WWII 10th Mountain Div training history in reference to MT Washington.
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Re: T-24 Weasel Found and Recovered !

Post by 70th Division » Tue Aug 14, 2018 9:46 pm

Hello Ben,

You are correct !!
The 10th mountain Division , a detachment of the 87th Regiment
trained in New Hampshire in 1942 and around Mount Washington.
They have a Memorial Plaque at the top , that 10th WW2 Veterans visit when they can.
They trained the 36th Division in mountain climbing in the area.
They also were taught Norwegian .

Here is a great article about the time in NH :

http://newenglandskimuseum.org/the-linc ... hampshire/

Great history !!!!!

Plus - I have what I believe to be a 10th Mountain, 87th Regiment jeep
!! Working on uncovering rear panel unit markings, painted high up
on the left side of the rear panel .


Best Regards,
Ray


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