Designed by the army corp of engineers and probably built by them as well. Although these guys hands aren't that dirty...probably staff picture day. No markings on their uniforms that I could see either...what regimen?
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Liberty Truck, the Wikipedia article does not mention the truck being built by the military.
I hope this is a misprint "The engine consumed standard gasoline at a rate of about 3.5 to 7 gallons per mile depending on terrain, speed and driving ability. The truck has a maximum fuel capacity of around 22 gallons which includes the primary dash-mounted fuel tank and a larger reserve tank mounted under the right-hand side of the seat box. " That would give them a range of 3 to 7 miles at 3.5 to 7 gallons per mile!!
Ralph
Ad agency was tasked with showing a realistic assembly line environment at the Diamond T Motor Car Co?
Incredible patriotism? Bigger question. Since when dropping an engine [sans transmission BTW] into an open chassis needs 5 men with 1, maybe 2 and a hoist are sufficient elsewhere. Typical government excess.
I was ignorant. Campaign hats, canvas field gaiters, and wearing rings were recommended safety gear, yet not steel-toed boots?
Cool details in pic though. Bolt on cylinders, flat head valve arrangement, external coolant plumbing, with shaft-driven pump and more. Notice lubricant pots on suspension spring posts? Now that's engineering for long term and severe use! Frank S, you recall any such and more recent enhancements?
Ralphxyz's Wikipedia link brought me a laugh.
A quantity of Liberty Trucks went for use by a particular European Air Force. Wishing to skirt non politically correct stereotypes, that effort was not fully successful. Such configurations were found impossible generating enough speed and lift for take-off...
Imagine the size of the pistons "425 cubic-inch L-head inline four cylinder engine that put out 52 horsepower,"
I remember getting 425 cu in from a V8 was a major accomplishment in the sixties.
Ralph
Yes, the pistons where larger than they are in today's engines, but those old engines also had very LONG stroke, which allowed them to make lots of torque at low RPM.
Also remember when you double the bore, keeping the same stroke, you quadruple the displacement. So a small increase in bore along with a longer stroke, gives the large displacement.
Probably it's a 'Support the troops' style publicity photo.