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Manufacturer: Ford of Germany
Production Years: 1942-1944
Engine: Ford, 3.9-liter, 95-hp, eight-cylinder, liquid-cooled, gasoline
Transmission: Five-speed: four forward, one reverse
Brakes: Hydraulic
Length: 21-feet, 1-inch
Width: 7-feet, 6-inches
Height: 9-feet, 3-inches (to top of cargo area bonnet)
Weight: Approximately 4-tons
Armor: None
Armament: NONE on this example - Could be fitted with a 7.92-mm MG34 or MG42 machine gun
Maximum Speed: Approximately 25-mph
Maximum Payload: 2-tons
Markings: German 2nd SS Panzer Division “Das Reich”
Conditions on the Eastern Front, where already poor roads turned to seas of mud during rainy seasons and slush in the spring thaw, created almost impossible transportation situations for the wheeled truck units of the German army. The Maultier (Mule) reportedly originated from a field modification carried-out by the 2nd SS Panzer Division “Das Reich” during the winter of 1941-1942. A standard Ford 3-ton V3000S 4x2 truck was used as the basis of the conversion along with sets of Carden-Loyd tracks and bogey-wheel assemblies from captured British Universal type carriers. The conversion comprised of moving the rear axle forward and shortening the driveshaft, reinforcing the chassis and mounting double sets of the Carden-Loyd two-wheel bogie assemblies, along with tracks, to each side of the chassis. The conversion reduced the payload capacity from 3-tons to 2-tons. The Ford plants in Cologne, Amsterdam and Asnieres, France started mass-producing the conversions in 1942 totaling nearly 15,000 units by 1944. An additional field conversion was carried out on some Maultiers consisting of mounting a 2-cm Flak 30 or Flak 38 anti-aircraft cannon on the cargo bed. Neither of these guns is fitted to this example.