Vintage Tractor Pix - VOL II

The Ford-Ferguson MOTO-TUG was designed by FoMoCo in late 1942, dubbed 'The Mule as it meant to pull Corsair fighters aboard US Carriers in WWII. It was built on a 9N tractor but had numerous outside suppliers build all the special parts for it. The unit was assembled at the EE Schatz Ford Dealership in Columbus, OH, not the Rouge Plant. Ferguson was the head of Ford Tractor Distributorship at the time and was in charge of the project. The first MOTO-TUG rolled off the Schatz line in April, 1943. The US War Board ordered 500 units at first to be delivered to the US NAVY for use on Carriers to pull Vought Corsair fighter planes. The TUG had a lower profile, about 6 lower than a standard 9N, so it would clear the planes wings. They were painted Ford Lusterless Ocean Grey - a light bluish/grey scheme. Tugs were also then used on land at military bases as utility haulers, and color options were available in Olive Drab Green and Standard 9N Dark Grey. After the WAR, they were shipped back to west coat AF Bases to be refurbished, but some were shoved overboard as were many military vehicles as per War Board orders. When the Korean Conflict broke out, refurbished TUGS were now painted an Industrial Yellow. The total number of actual TUGS built was around 12,000 units. Restorers today are constantly seeking whole or parts to rebuild but most that have survived have already been claimed.

WWII FORD-FERGUSON MOTO-TUG DEBUT; APRIL 1943 AT THE WILLOW RUN PLANT. HENRY FORD II PULLS A B-24:



WWII FORD-FERGUSON MOTO-TUG; REFURBISHED FOR KOREAN WAR ISSUE:



Tim Daley(MI)

Interesting,that's not the Corsair, i thought about when reading the article !!

The one in the b/w photo reminds me of a Tonka toy I had as a kid.

My first thought when seeing the picture was Henry II.I thought it might have been a little early for him to be around,then I read the text.He was serving in the Navy for the war,(and wanted to stay there) but was pulled out to better serve the country by working at Ford.His grandfather was failing and they needed fresh direction.He must have been pretty fresh out of the service when that picture was taken.

I believe Ford made bombers at that time. Easy photo opportunity.

Vito

One of saddest scenes in movies:
retired WWII planes

US Sailors resting on a MOTO-TUG aboard a Carrier:




Tim Daley(MI)

Yep, my picture and caption said Henry Ford II was pulling a B-24 with a MOTO-TUG, not a Corsair. B-24's were built at the FORD WILLOW RUN PLANT. The TUGS were used on Carriers to pull Corsairs and other aircraft and vehicles.



Tim Daley(MI)

Yep, my picture and caption said Henry Ford II was pulling a B-24 with a MOTO-TUG, not a Corsair. B-24's were built at the FORD WILLOW RUN PLANT. The TUGS were used on Carriers to pull Corsairs and other aircraft and vehicles.






FORD WILLOW RUN PLANT - B-24 BOMBERS BUILT ON A PRODUCTION LINE:




Tim Daley(MI)

I read the book: Wheels for the World by Douglas Brinkley and in there the whole Willow Run story was covered. Production at that production line, under one roof was raw materials in one end and finished plane out the other and the test runway was there too and testing was completed immediately. I forget the production rate, something like one per hour and I think I recall he built 24,000 B-24s there....right or wrong, he built a lot of them and I think he was the only supplier for the military.

If you are interested in the Ford family history this makes for good reading on a nasty winter day!