The only surviving driving example Worldwide
Build for the anticipated invasion of Japan fir the USMC. It is believed that this is the only surviving example of a T14E1, the pilot model of the M32A1B3. The US Marines ordered 50 ARVs with HVSS for the anticipated invasion of Japan. To start, in April 1945, new M4A3 (105) HVSS were diverted from the line at Chrysler and sent to Baldwin Locomotive and International Harvester for the conversions. This specific model was used in the Korean War and returned to the US were it ended as a roadside advertisement for the Imperial Palace Car Museum in Las Vegas. Later it belonged to the Military Vehicle Preservation Group of Spooner, Wisconsin and came to the Netherlands for full restoration in the early 90’s.
Why is this T14E1 TRV so special?
For this we have to go back to 1944 and in particular to the war against Japan in the Pacific and at that time current plans for an invasion of Japan under the name ‘Operation Downfall’.
The tanks that the US Marines would use for the invasion of Japan were M4A3(75) and M4A3(105) with HVSS. For the sake of uniformity, the USMC requested 50 Tank Recovery Vehicles based on the M4A3 with HVSS in April 1945.
Before that, Baldwin Locomotive and International Harvester completed 50 Tank Retriever conversions based on the new production M4A3 (105) HVSS Shermans that were actually pulled straight off the production line at Chrysler in the summer of 1945. These conversions were given the nomenclature “T14E1” (Source Joe DeMarco).
As is known, the invasion of Japan never happened. The surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945 marked the end of the Second World War.
But not for long. On June 25, 1950, North Korean troops invaded South Korea. A war that lasted until July 27, 1953 and cost the lives of more than 1 million people.
A large number of the T14E1 TRV were shipped to Korea. This was one of them.
We found the following text from Joe DeMarco:
It is believed that this is the only surviving example of a T14E1, the pilot model of the M32A1B3. The US Marines ordered 50 ARVs with HVSS for the anticipated invasion of Japan. To start, in April 1945, 30 new M4A3 (105) HVSS were diverted from the line at Chrysler and sent to Baldwin Locomotive for the conversions. The contract was for T14E1s, not for M32A1B3s; what distinguishes a T14E1 from an M32A1B3 is that they had factory HVSS, not a retrofit.
The lifting drum was removed from the right idler and replaced with a boom lifting arm mounted on the glacis.
It was once a roadside advertisement for the Imperial Palace Car Museum in Las Vegas. Later it belonged to the Military Vehicle Preservation Group of Spooner, Wisconsin. It was shipped out of the USA via the Port of Baltimore. (Source: J. DeMarco/G104).
After arriving in Belgium, former owner Jaap de Groot decided to return it to its former glory. It was therefore restored to a high standard by Army Cars in Zwijndrecht
This TRV was previously on display at the Marshall Museum at Zwijndrecht and the War Museum in Overloon.
Condition: Older restoration: running and driving
Brochure: available on request.
Price on request
Movie: T14E1
For more information, please contact us;
BAIV BV
The Netherlands
Phone: +31 6 518 22 502 (Ivo Sr.)
E-Mail: ivosr.rigter@baiv.nl
