Inside The Chieftain's Hatch: Dragon Wagon | Part 1

[@nitzerebbhead]

I was able to drive the M26 Pacific that now sits at The U.S. Army Transportation Museum on Fort Eustis because that particular vehicle was restored at Fort Snelling Military Museum in MN as I used to volunteer there. We also had a WW2 vet that came to see the M26 we had as he crewed one in WW2. You could see him get all emotional when we told him we could get it out of the storage tent and give him a ride in it. Even at his age, he was able to climb up into the cab and the joy it brought him was priceless.

[@markfryer9880]

And I bet that was your best day volunteering!

[@luciusvorenus9445]

That's awesome. I've had some great conversations with WWII veterans when I was an EMT. It's amazing and humbling to hear their experiences.

[@pavelavietor1]

hello cool experience. saludos

[@pavelavietor1]

hello nice video, thanks, saludos

[@danlittle5764]

I drove that vehicle as well while I was there as a volunteer. This is Dan, who are you nitzerebbhead?

[@steveturner3999]

I’ve always thought this vehicle looked futuristic for the era of WWII. It has a dominating presence as well. Every single feature is purpose built and there’s no wasted space. It just goes to show you the thought and engineering that went into every piece of equipment, not just weapons, produced by the US arsenal during the war. Thrilled you’re covering this beast Chieftain.

[@clintstephens7287]

That truck belonged to a friend of mine in Wisconsin. He was killed in an accident on his farm and his collection was sold off. RIP Kevin.

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you. That was enlightening. In 1973, our guys used a Lockheed Twister Dragon Wagon to suppress wild fires in California and Nevada for the Carson City Fire District of the Bureau of Land Management. I watched the Marines repair battle tanks at Camp Pendleton as a twelve year old. I do not remember seeing these monsters. Thanks again.

[@edwardloomis887]

As a former battalion motor officer, I am impressed by and enjoyed listening to David Levy. He climbed up on the trailer like a 63T.

[@exharkhun5605]

I always loved this vehicle ever since I first saw it in the Tamiya catalogue. Thank you to Mr. Levy for preserving it and so generously showing it off.

[@joecook8352]

I’m pretty sure my father drove one of these during WW2, he died in a semi truck wreck years after he was back home and I was only 5 years old. My mother told me his job was recovering tanks and equipment that were knocked out behind the lines. Thanks for showing this!

[@MetalMorris]

The first time I saw a Dragon wagon I was in Normandy France. Unfortunately the Museum went bankrupt and all it's pieces were sold. Glad I saw it and made some photo's.

[@uconnjames]

I visited the museum last fall. This is not a big museum. But the people there were very nice. If you are in the NY area and are interested in WW2 AFVs, I'd highly recommend this museum.

[@jasondiaz8431]

They do manuevers every few months outside. The Cradle of aviation museum in Garden City on the old Mitchel Airforce base is not far away.

[@coreydarr8464]

I hope the state does not come take their equipment because they are weapons of war! Maybe they should look for another state to move to. 🤔

[@luciusvorenus9445]

I've been interested in the Dragon Wagon since I was a child. To see a Chieftain "In The Hatch" on this vehicle is a real treat!

[@paoloviti6156]

What a massive recovery vehicle! I've seen footage that was easily transporting Panthers! The only thing that you both have not mentioned is that the rear wheels of the tractor was actuated by chains but much bigger than those used by the bicycle! This was done to keep the rear low to attach the big trailer...

[@nitzerebbhead]

And those chains have little oil tanks mounted above them that have a manual spigot that drips oil on them for lubrication.

[@paoloviti6156]

@@nitzerebbhead that I didn't know but I should have thought about it 🤔! Thank you 👍👍

[@justforever96]

He didn't even say what kind of engine it used, how many gears, I assume that be in Part 2. Although chain drive was very common with trucks though the 20s and into the 30s, so that's not really surprising. Only a bit anachronistic at this period. No reason you can't use a chain drive, they are just louder and take more maintenance and lubrication then sealed axles and driveshafts.

[@polticalme1677]

Years ago I built the Tamiya Dragon Wagon in 1/35 and it was HUGE! It was the armoured version and I only just found out that this version existed. I wish somebody would release this as a model kit, because it looks so much better.

[@Ljb13]

You can buy a conversion kit to build it this way!

[@Chris-dz3rs]

You can also update the Tamiya trailer to the A1 configuration. The truck/trailer combo as Tamiya gives you was not very common

[@johnnyzippo7109]

Big shoutout to “Chieftain” , your knowledge and the delivery of it is much appreciated , keep ‘em comin !

[@Jan-hx9rw]

Very nice. Any tanker worth their salt came to truly appreciate the recovery crews, if only because many consider you aren't really a tanker until you've either thrown a track or gotten mired above your road wheels. At that point, it's worth the traditional case of beer to have the mechanics and their recovery vehicle come out to give you a hand. And if you think tankers get muddy and dirty out in the field, you haven't really seen a good recovery crew after a job. :D

[@bigredjeepyj3436]

This was WAY more interesting than I initially thought! I had no idea a trailer could be so complex. And 120 TONS of winching capability....wow. Great episode.

[@egoalter1276]

120k pounds. Thats 54 metric tons.

[@desmcharris]

What a cool Truck! I just can’t get enough of well engineered stuff! Started so smoothly too. Cheers Chieftain.

[@Hybris51129]

I will admit that tank transporters and recovery vehicles have always been a favorite of mine because so much of the design and tech from these found their way into OTR trucks.

[@MrCantStopTheRobot]

I'm not a truck guy, but anyone who'd deny these things are cool is lying.

[@Mark3nd]

Most of the stuff the civilians get, are basically from the Military that came up or tested new technologies

[@metalmilitia1o740]

The Dragon Wagon is a beast of a vehicle. There is a photo of a Dragon Wagon hauling the 70 ton Jagdtiger 331 after its capture at Neustadt. That is the 40 ton rated trailer being used in the photo. Not the later model trailer shown here which was capable of 50 tons. That must have been one epic journey across a war torn Germany to get it to a place to begin its shipment back to the US. Jagdtiger 331 is now at The Us Armor & Cavalry Collection in Ft Benning, Georgia.

[@ptonpc]

I have never seen an unamoured one. They are magnificent beasts.

[@danielstickney2400]

The fixed trailer landing gear isn't much of an issue because it would have to be blocked anyway to prevent it from sinking and worse comes to worse you could just bull it back aboard with the winch.

[@williammagnuson8508]

I pulled the trailer,with a ten ton tractor, in Vietnam. From Sept 68 to Aug 69.we hauled m48 tanks and m88 tank retreivers from qui non to pleiku.

[@akmzd6938]

Of course the Americans couldn't resist occasionally arming these things with a .50 cal. Fantastic vehicle, thank you for the tour!

[@trailridescj7528]

Great clip and nice to see something on military trucks that haul your ammo, beans , fuel and you at times. 🇺🇸

[@donaldparlett7708]

Who knew the amount of thought that went into the design of this beast.

[@sadwingsraging3044]

One of my favorite fairly unknown vehicles! There is a picture of an armored version somewhere pulling a Panther behind it. No trailer. It had something like the old style wrecker boom sticking up but you couldn't see anything because of this giant tank they were dragging around was in the way. I used the picture to troll some German dude that got all mouthy on me.🤣 This was long before I could have captioned it _All of your tanks are belong to US!_ but I'm sure I put something snarky along with the picture when I posted it.😁

[@coreydarr8464]

Most of Panthers had to be drug by one Army or the other!

[@IFear_Naught]

these things are a beast. saw one at Tankfest, and all i can think is that i want one.,

[@markfryer9880]

From the sounds of it you'll need a big shed to keep it in and a fat wallet to be able to keep it fuelled up!

[@steveg5933]

The C-47 (civilian DC-3) W7 known as Whisky 7 was the lead ship of the second wave. She is still with us. She is lovingly maintained at the Genesseo Airdrome home of the National Warbird museum in Genesseo NY. In fact W7 made the trip back to fortress Europe and made the trip to Normandy for the 75th anniversary. As an added bonus one of the original easy company's members who did a tandem jump with an active duty soldier.

[@guidor.4161]

Wow, what a monster. Good to see it run. There's one on display in the overloon war museum in the Netherlands, the armored version, I think...

[@edkrafsur2704]

Excellent! Would love a video on the Scammell Pioneer!

[@markfryer9880]

There are numerous videos on KZbin featuring the Pioneers and even some training videos which despite being cheesy are really valuable in seeing how the vehicle was supposed to do it's recovery work. Definitely try to find that training video as it is well worth viewing.

[@jessegreenwood1956]

So...I watch all of your videos. I try to remember to like them all. I skipped this one for a few days becausse...it did not sound that interesting. Holy crap! what a complex, well engineered and amazingly interesting vehicle! I am so glad someone saved one of these! Thank you!

[@jondavidmcnabb]

I have been waiting for this video for years!!!! One of my favorite vehicles

[@michaelguerin56]

Excellent video. Thank you. I first became aware of the Dragon Wagon, back in the 1970s, reading a military vehicle recognition book. I want to hear more of that amazing ohc petrol engine.

[@Burke_Motorsports]

Boy, this video is bringing back memories of my OTR Heavy Haul days. I would love to see this beast in person.

[@Rschaltegger]

I really like the focus on the support stuff in this one. Thanks

[@entropy2100]

Nice to see chieftain again after all these years

[@markstott6689]

I enjoyed the video so much I've watched it twice and I'm now building the Tamiya Dragon Wagon. My first model build in 35 years.

[@Riceball01]

Anyone else find it intersting that this is a WoT video and not a Chieftain video? Does this mean that WoT will start adding things like this to the game?😄

[@samharvey6194]

Saw one of these at the Bastogne Barracks museum last year, the chain chain to rear axles did surprise me tbh

[@beastmasaurus6467]

As a trucker for the last 8 1/2 years (mostly flat bead & float) with an interest in all things army/navy, I would like to take that thing for a spin! And of course the Chieftain can ride shotgun.

[@chemech]

NASA had one that they used to move rocket sections around back in the day. If you search around, there are a very few photos on the web.

[@alangordon3283]

Excellent subject Keep the gems coming Sir Nicholas.

[@wilco3588]

Thank you enjoy the video it is a complicated machine and I love that Hall Scott engine.

[@Paladin1873]

Neat looking vehicle. I don't believe I've ever seen one before.

[@steveschainost7590]

Now this was a fascinating video. Big iron. Ramps that take six guys to lift. Need to adjust ramp spacing to fit tank? We'll just slide the ramp sideways a bit! Where do they get those tires? Are they still in production somewhere? And what would one tire cost to replace?

[@tahitifan100]

I was wondering about those tires as well.

[@MGB-learning]

Great video!

[@Emtbtoday]

There is a which under the front bumper right in the centre for anchoring to trees to recover vehicles! There is on my Tamiya model's under the front bumper and you have the towbar on the front of the armour version

[@stephenwarhurst6615]

I seen photos of Dragon Wagon hauling the T28 with the trailer with extra wheels added

[@Oldguy1900]

You could register it as a commercial vehicle and as long as it passes DOT drive it on the road but because of it's width it would be an oversized vehicle and only allowed on certain roads and highways from dawn to dusk. There are a few other things you have to do and paperwork and but that's basically the gist of it it really wouldn't be worth it.

[@AlmeneBeranger]

You know, as a first purchase for a tank museum, a tank transport and recovery vehicle does make a lot of sense.

[@kylehardman9135]

These things have a heck of a roar and rumble saw them at tankfest

[@cmdredstrakerofshado1159]

Wow Nick very Jay's Garage vibe to this episode 👍👍👍👍

[@briansmithwins]

Thanks for not playing annoying music over the footage

[@wesstubbs3472]

In The World at War an Allied tanker said that one thing he noticed early on was that after a battle the Germans would recover their tanks quickly from the battle field and that the Allies did not.

[@MrLothsmodelmaking]

There are at least 2 registered in Europe, armoured ones, that I have seen driving around. In the center of Bastogne no less during the 75th anniversary of the battle. Tho neither was crazy enough to have the trailer with it, both just had the recovery a-frame up. One of em was nicknamed the Snafu Truck

[@thedeathwobblechannel6539]

KZbin has some excellent videos of world war II tank recovery with this vehicle search for that's pretty cool. There is also some videos for the British equipment to recover tanks as well one of them is wenching a Churchill so the track could be reattached as I recall it's done with a truck

[@jimmyfaherty8588]

as a former truck driver. bad azz. I'd like to see it working.

[@kaiserwilhelmshatner3156]

I call my wife's SUV the Dragon Wagon.

[@Crazyasianman286]

Ridden in one down in PA and I know that exact one quite well.

[@taliskadzejs3642]

So this vehicle is kind of a cross between a pre version HETT carrier and a HEMET truck

[@dixienormous8893]

I wish you could had mentioned the engine, transmission, and other specifications on your video.

[@xgford94]

3:47 No it’s not keeping up with traffic that’s the problem… it’s not actually bug crunching traffic that’s the issue 3:47

[@Redchrome1]

To me, the impressive part of the history of these trucks is when NASA repurposed at least one or two of them to tow around Saturn rocket stages weighing up to 150 tons. The 33ft-diameter first stage of the Saturn V dwarfs this monster vehicle.

[@rwool53]

I bet they came with a grounnd anchor kit, similar to the one we ued on the M113 Recovery variant and on the old M53 Wreckers.

[@aaron6178]

What a monster! Its battlefield profile would be on the vulnerable side for sure. Surely it would deploy with some armor or AA for close support?

[@monsonontario7120]

Chieftian you are the man for everything armoured vehicles. :)

[@teamidris]

Oh my gosh cool 😎 I don’t think I have seen this un-armoured version. I bet it weighs a lot less.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

Pretty cool. I may have a picture of a unit in the field.

[@frankstanks]

Thank you again Chieftain I wish I was you.

[@hellcat64]

Love recovery/enginering vhicals. Quetion as this is a WoT video. When will the lee/grant and other multi turret vehicals get to use both/all turrets? Multi gun mechanics are in the game. And WoWS has multi turret mechanics. Using space or right mouse to shoot alt turrets

[@Toxked]

I met a vet once that said his group would sneak behind German lines and steel tanks and bring them back for assessment. I'm guessing he was using this vehicle. He said once they were pinned underneath for 45 minutes as they were stafed by the luftwaffe.

[@RexKarrs]

Running around in the middle of the night stealing Panthers and Tigers from the enemy (with 120 ton winch capacity, you could grab a Tiger)! Sounds cool.

[@SteamCrane]

Sounds like Ukrainian farmers with John Deeres!

[@ericbrammer2245]

And, I wonder.. Besides the "lack" of a Blade or Hydraulic 'Crab-Claws' for securing the tractor against it towed-onto-board load, "WHY?" were Pulley Tackle-blocks not used for Cables?! Just a thought...

[@c1ph3rpunk]

The one Tamiya model I haven’t built. Mainly because it’ll take as much room as the real thing.

[@fuse557]

Awesome subject matter! love learning about utility vehicles, vehicles that I've never known about!

[@martincurran-gray2287]

Nice vehicle!

[@prawie.motocyklista]

9:21 14:30 It's nice that you show the technical details you're talking about. xD Change the camera operator or start showing this equipment in detail.

[@coreydarr8464]

Is the engine an flat head six cylinder (L6) gas how many cubic inches?

[@michaelpielorz9283]

Building this transport vehicle seems to be very optimistic! A Sherman meeting a german tank did not need to be transported to a repair facility (:-))

[@blueboats7530]

Yeah but then the Panthers and Tigers were abandoned for lack of fuel and ammo so the U.S. Army needed something to move them out of the way

[@drewdederer8965]

Do we know the provenance of "Dragon Wagon"? Is this a "model kit name", official or un-official (troop name)? Also, is there any sign that "Dragon Wagon" was a modification or corruption of "Dragin' (sic) Wagon"? I remember seeing a video of one of these in a British D-Day Parade, the shear size of it, especially on English Country roads, was VERY impressive.

[@rollastudent]

Milweb dot net says it was named for the flames that came out of the exhaust, but who knows

[@dustybozak5889]

I think the guy with the truck wants to punch that other guy.

[@danielaramburo7648]

But how do you tension the tracks?

[@davidkoehler136]

I remember this when it was in WI

[@jefferykeeper9034]

Which is it is the winch a 30 ton, 50 ton or a 60 ton ?

[@wingshad0w00982]

Oh, the museum of american armor, that's right by me. Yeah, the tank transporter is great, and *massive*

[@echohunter4199]

You represent the US Army very honorably Major. If you’re still in San Antonio, you’re always welcome to visit us at SAMRA and run some trains. SFC DeVos Retired Infantry

[@Fabrizio_Ruffo]

Bonehead cameraman doesn't bother to climb up to get a shot inside the trailer, and he ignores the entire right side of the cab, even as the tour guide is reaching across the cab. He must be in love with Chieftain's handsome face.

[@johnnyzippo7109]

Lol! I would bet money if the crew of the vehicle being recovered was still in situ , said crew would ride in the recovered vehicle on the trailer . This leads to my next thought , was a tank ever firing it’s main gun out of necessity while mounted on a dragon wagon trailer in transit ?

[@PTSF_Jaeger]

Low air buzzer and 60psi minimum for the airbrakes... its always interesting to see what hasn't changed in ~80 years

[@justforever96]

Okay, just starting the talk and already i can say that video work that shows the part you are talking about instead of constantly filming two guys talking and and gesturing at some unseen part of the vehicle is much preferable.

[@MFitz12]

Ha ha, no track tension for you this time mister.

[@tinman3586]

I wish Company of Heroes would put this vehicle in their game. Although I have no idea what purpose it would serve in an RTS game 😂.

Very intersting

[@secretmapper7595]

Why is this series called: inside the chieftains hatch?

[@bebo4807]

I wouldn’t mind getting inside the Chieftains “Hatch”.

[@The1nsane1]

The armoured version looks like a beast of a vehicle compared to this version.

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

Antar and Scammel please

[@ditzydoo4378]

What!!! No track tension? I am shocked and appalled... Not really, simply change the (ahem) summer air for winter air. And if you buy that, I've got a thousand feet of flight line I'd sell you cheap. 😋

[@TheChieftainsHatch]

Come back for Part 2.

[@ditzydoo4378]

@@TheChieftainsHatch with bells on good sir.

[@xxxlonewolf49]

Cool

[@AA-tb4ff]

i came to see the engine though

[@samuelvanat8309]

Pretty interesting vehicle/truck, but person adding english subtitles was beeing lazy. Bit too many mistakes of transcript. For example adding "inaudible" (11:35) to Chieftans subtitles or (11:14) making from 2 60,000 lb winches one or many 260,000 lb winches.

[@zebradun7407]

Major street cred, "I own a Dragon wagon"

[@AsbestosMuffins]

ww2 era big rig