Today in WW II: 15 Aug 1940 Peak day for Luftwaffe sorties against England, including bombing in the North of Britain. More ↓
15 Aug 1942 Operation Pedestal, a last ditch attempt to re-supply Malta and avoid surrender to a German blockade, succeeds as tanker SS Ohio and other convoy ships reach Grand Harbour port.
15 Aug 1943 In the Aleutians, US troops land on Kiska Island to retake it from the Japanese ([5-24 Aug].
15 Aug 1944 Operation Dragoon [aka Anvil] invasion of Southern France.
15 Aug 1945 Japanese surrender, remembered as VJ Day (Victory over Japan) in the U.K. [14 August east of the date line, 15 August in Japan].
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M-129 Semitrailer, Van, Supply, 12-ton, Cargo, 4-wheel (G750)

M129A1C 12-Ton Semi-Trailer Van, manufactured by Dorsey Trailers Inc. Courtesy: Government Liquidation LLC
M129A1C 12-Ton Semi-Trailer Van, manufactured by Dorsey Trailers Inc. Courtesy: Government Liquidation LLC.

The M-129 Semitrailer, Van, 12-ton, 4-wheel is intended for use in transporting military supplies and general cargo. The M129 Semitrailer Van was designed to be towed by an M52 5-ton, 6x6 truck tractor or similar vehicle equipped with fifth wheel, air supply, and a 24-volt electrical system. If a 24-volt electrical system is not available, an alternate towing vehicle with a 12-volt electrical system may be used with the M128. The towing vehicle supplies brake air pressure and control of brakes.

The M129 van is based on the M126 semitrailer chassis. The chassis frame is welded into a single integral unit, with an upper fifth wheel plate and king pin coupling at front. The two rear axles are on leaf-spring suspension. Two foot-type retractable landing legs are provided for front end support when the semitrailer is not attached to a truck tractor.

The 12-ton payload can be carried by the M129 semitrailer van at 50 mph on a highway or cross-country at 20 mph.

The M129-series vans are used for supply operations. The van body has seven windows with blackout covers. The front window is stationary while three windows on each side of the trailer are retractable. A lever is used to open and close the retractable window sash. The M129 series vans have an additional 110v AC electrical system with dome lights, wall receptacles, circuit breakers, and a switch box.

The M129 series semitrailers have two doors at the rear of the body. A stepladder is provided to aid in climbing in and out of the van body. The stepladder hangs on the left rear door when not in use. It is held in place by removable pins fastened on a chain to the body. A chain holds up the retractable step when not in use.

The M129A1 is the base model of the M129 semitrailer van series of vehicles. These features apply to the M129A1 and M129A1C:

  • Air-over-hydraulic brakes
  • Military standard axles, hub and drum, air chamber (bogie assembly and brakes)
  • Military lights, service, tail and stop
  • Military type blackout lights
  • 4-wheel internal brakes located within brake drum, consists of 4-hydraulic operated FR2S-type wheel brake assemblies self-centering
  • Equipped with lifting rings for hoisting the semitrailer
  • 24-volt electrical system and a separate 12-volt lighting system
  • Insulated body

The Model M129A2C Van has these differences:

  • Later design of bogie assembly and service brakes (axle, spring seat, “U" bolts, torque rods, hardware and brakes)
  • Two tail, stop, turn and marker lights in each voltage, 12-volt and 24-volt. Marker lights in 24-volt.

Some other small differences are noted in TM 9-2330-207-14 for M129A2C semitrailer vehicles produced by Kasel Manufacturing Company, referred to as the M129A2C Kasel Model.

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the M129 Semitrailer Van at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup.

M-129 Semitrailer, Van, Supply, 12-ton, Cargo, 4-wheel Characteristics

Overall length 28 ft 8 1/4 in.
Width 8 ft
Height 11 ft 7 3/8 in
Loading height, empty 4 ft 10 1/2 in
Payload 24,000 Ibs
Weight M129A1 16,020 Ibs
Weight M129A1C 15,400 Ibs
Weight M129A2C 15,400 Ibs
Tires Eight 11.00x20 Military NDCC
Brakes Air-over-hydraulic
Blackout lights Yes
Departure angle, loaded 50°

Table data is basaed on the M129 Semitrailer, from TM9-2330-207-14.

Manuals for the M-129 Semitrailer, Van, 12-ton will be in the TM 9-2330-207-xx series, where the xx represents the maintenance level. The first parts list is ORD 9 SNL G-750, dated 13 April 1953. The NSNs for the M129 variants are:

Model NSN
M129A1 2330-00-629-1673
M129A1C 2330-00-752-9752
M129A2C 2330-00-788-6289
M129A3 2330-01-175-7379
M129A4 2330-01-372-5642

Later Variants: M129A3 and M129A4

The M129A3 Van and M129A4 Van are later variants of the M129 series semitrailer vans. Separate manuals are available for the newer variants.

The M129A3 Semitrailer, Van: Supply, 12-ton, is very similar to the M129A2C with few differences. The Technical Manual for the M129A3 is TM 9 2330-374-14&P.

The M129A4 Semitrailer, Van: Supply, 12-ton, at 37 feet long (with platform retracted), is larger than the earlier variants, used to provide temporary electronic work and storage space. There are many differences between the M129A4 and earlier variants of the M129 series. It shares the manual with the similar XM1063 Semitrailer. The Technical Manual for the M129A4 is TM 9 2330-380-14&P. For a reset program, an M129A4 Modified Replacement Van Body (NSN 2510-01-549-4721) has been defined.

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