Cletrac

A 1942-vintage M2 Cletrac.

from the Air Force Museum collection

   The Cleveland Tractor Co. Medium M2 High-Speed Tractor, popularly known as a "Cletrac," is an example of one type of vehicle used at Army Air Force bases during WW II for moving aircraft and heavy trailers. The Cletrac was particularly effective for moving vehicles or aircraft that had become bogged down in mud. The M2 had a gross weight of 13,800 lbs. and a maximum drawbar pull of 7,000 lbs. Also referred to as the "bomber nurse," since it contained a high-pressure air compressor, a 24-volt generator, a nitrogen bottle, a winch, and a center-mount drawbar for maximum traction that allowed it to tow B-17s around soggy English airfields with relative ease.

Closeup view of a Cletrac.



Another view of a Cletrac.



A Cletrac is prominently featured in this photo of two specially marked Mitsubishi G4M-1 ("Betty") diplomatic
aircraft on an airfield on Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands, on August 19, 1945. (U.S. Naval Historical Center.)