This 1939 War Department Training Film covers essential information for trucks in crossing bodies of water. This is shown in a range of different scenarios by a truck, probably a Corbitt 6×4 artillery Prime Mover with the serial number “USA W0015.” It includes how to cross culverts and bridges through adequate weight distribution, shallow streams, and deep streams. The truck crew also demonstrates the different preparations that need to be made each time, with them being particularly extensive in deep streams where the whole engine has to be waterproofed.
0:10 Official Training Film No. 105 War Department, 0:16 produced by Signal Corps in collaboration with the Chief of Field Artillery, 0:24 “Truck Drawn Units Stream Crossings” 0:28 “Culverts and Bridges”, 0:41 a truck approaching and driving through a culvert, 1:00 cars, including what appears to be a Ford V-8 station wagon, driving slowly over a narrow bridge, 1:20 truck slowly driving over a reinforced bridge, 1:54 soldiers walking behind a prime mover truck — probably a Corbitt 6×4 or possibly an early Mack NM 6-ton 6×6 or Diamond T 4-ton 6×6 truck — and removing a howitzer because it is too heavy to cross the bridge otherwise, 2:59 crew uncoupling a howitzer from a truck and attaching a tow line to bring it across a weak bridge, 4:32 “Fording and Shallow Streams”, 4:38 a truck crossing a stream slowly, 5:04 truck driver loosening the fan belt before crossing a deeper stream, 5:54 truck driver tightening fan belt again, 6:23 soldiers throwing brush and gravel on a stream bank to increase traction, 7:15 truck being lowered down a steep river bank by a block and tackle, 8:23 a truck being raised up a steep river bank with a block and tackle, 9:23 “Crossing Deep Streams”, 10:00 drivers preparing the truck for submerging by disconnecting the battery cables, making vents watertight, removing engine wiring, and plugging all exterior engine openings with grease, 12:36 man crosses the river with a line that is used to pull the tow cable across, 13:21 diagram showing how to anchor the block and tow cables followed by how this looks in real life, 14:28 soldiers begin towing the truck through the river, 15:21 soldiers inspect the truck for water damage and begin removing grease, replacing wiring, and adding electronic components, 17:21 soldier turning over engine by hand to drain remaining water, 18:14 “End of TF 105”
The Corbitt Company operated from 1905-1952 and was based in Henderson, North Carolina. From 1907 to 1913 it made passenger cars, followed by trucks and buses. The first Corbitt truck was powered by a 4-cylinder Continental engine, with chain drive and a capacity of 2,500 lbs. Corbitts were of conventional design, with 6-cylinder Continental or Hercules engines and up to 1930 made in sizes of 1 to 5 tons. Later models were larger, and included 6-wheeled tractor/trailers up to 15 tons capacity. From 1933 onwards Corbitt became important suppliers of vehicles to the U.S. Army; these included 2-ton 6×6 cargo carriers powered by Lycoming Straight-8 engines, 8-ton 6×4 and 6×6 artillery prime movers with Hercules 6 engines, and Lycoming-powered armoured scout cars. In 1940 the U.S. Coastal Artillery asked Corbitt to design and build a 6-ton 6×6 prime mover and cargo carrier. Powered by a 855ci 6-cylinder Hercules engine, the Corbitt 50 SD6 became a familiar workhorse for the U.S. Army and its allies. In 1952 “Uncle Dick” Corbitt retired the company ceased operations.
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