The first Clarktor was manufactured in 1926 and could tow a load over one ton on trolleys. This debut vehicle led to more powerful equipment.
The Clarktor 6 was developed in 1942 as an aircraft tug. Its power came from a six-cylinder flathead engine.
Production
By the end of World War II, thousands of different cargo handling vehicles were deployed to different theater of operations. The British Royal Air Force received 1,500 Clarktor 6. These versions were 'British Heavy' (BH) and supplied to Ministry of War Transport under the Lend Lease Act.
World War II - This small tug weighed 2 tons with a drawbar capacity of over 2 tons and towing capacity of 90 tons. It serviced with the United States Army and the British Royal Air Forces. It had no problem towing British's Lancaster and Halifax bombers. The American B24 and B17 were in the 16 ton empty weight and 29 to 32 tons fully loaded and was within the vehicle's capacity.[2]
Korean War - The Clarktor 6 continued operations by providing support not only in moving Air Force jets for service and maintenance, but also to move bombs, fuel, supplies, rations to different areas on an airfield. Soon the Army Bases and Navy yards used the tug for similar operations.
Variants
Light Duty - T105 or T125 Chrysler Engine.
Heavy Duty - T112 or T116 Chrysler Engine. Rated as Mill 44 and Mill 50
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