Use of Leroi Compressors in WW2

[warlock]

Hi @all,

my name is Dirk and I'm a scale modeller from Germany.
Mostly I build US Equipment from WW2.
Especially the CCKW and it's variants are pretty close to my heart.
I just like the rough design of it.
During WW2 my father was a very young boy and all he can remember about the time as "the americans came" was the look of the CCKW. He has never forgotten how it looked like - even in is older years.

So far my introduction.

The question that I have is about the GMC with a LeRoi compressor.
A small manufacturer from the Czech republic is going to release a conversion set in 1:35th scale and I'd like to build it.

So I'm starting to wonder for what use those Trucks were needed (..I really got no idea why an army should need compressor trucks .. ), and in what units it was used ( Engineering ? ).

Thanks in advance.

Bye Dirk

[John V Cliche]

In this sense think of "engineering"as meaning to build or construct, as in roads ,bridges and, repair of the same
Think of the compressor as a power unit
It came equipped with several "air powered" tools ;
Jack hammer
Rotary drill
Circular saw
chain saw
air hammer
air powered grease,and lube equipment ( used for equipment maitainance )
As you know there were open and closed cab versions, and with winch and without.
So Dirk you will have to build at least 4 units
Hope this helps
John

[abn CCKW]

I believe they were also used to inflate pontoon bridge floats ? if thats the correct discription ,and of course tire repair work . I m sure one of the members who owns one will set Us all straight soon .

[dr deuce]

Early trucks had no winch, later trucks all had winches. Soo, many early trucks may have been open cabs, most/all later trucks (with winches) I believe were open cabs.

The rotary drill is a V4 and I believe it will twist your arms off if it hits something it cannot drill thru.

I have a compressor truck with all the big tools except the biggest jackhammer. The 2 man chainsaw is something to see! You need someone of lower intelligence to be the operator out at the non-control end....

[Jeroen Sleijpen]

As far as I know and read, compressor trucks were without winch! They all had a reinforced chassis to carry the extra weight of the compressor including tools. I use to own one!
Trucks were used:
Bomb disposal (truck had a steam producing trailer)
Rockbreakin
Bridge building pontoon
And ofcourse as mentioned all the other enginering jobs that show up during a war.

I will look up for a copy on the bomb disposal unit.

[Fernando Mendes]