http://www.wwi-models.org/mail-archive/archive.1996/321



To: Charles A. Duckworth
cc: 
From: Jack Mueller
Date: 11/08/96 11:16:44 AM
Subject:  Re: Re[2]: WWI Car/Truck Drawings

Otto Zachow was a blacksmith,  who  hailed from Clintonville, Wisconsin.  He 
and his brother-in-law William Besserdich, teamed up to compete in the 
bustling auto building business of the time.  In 1912 they formed the Four 
Wheel Drive Auto Company and began production of their 3-ton Model B.  It was 
unique for it's day in that it incorporated a central differential with shafts 
to front and rear axles that each had an ordinary differential.  When in soft 
ground, the central differential could be locked to provide each wheel with 
equal power. 
They were good enough for the U.S. Army to be interested in for testing a year 
later.   The Army bought the vehicle, and when Pershing went after Pancho 
Villa in 1916, some 38 FWD's went with him into Mexico.
During The Great War, England and Russia  bought hundreds of the Model B.  
After our entry, they were built under licence by Peerless, Mitchell, Kissel, 
Premier, and by a British manufacturer.  Production ceased around 1930.
For WW1 buffs, the only surviving FWD truck I know of, is one equiped with a 
munitons body displayed at the FWD museum in Clintonville.   It is interesting 
to note that only the Nash Quad (a 2-tonner) was purchased in greater quantity 
by the U.S. Army.


     Boys,
     
     Since we're on the subject of cars/trucks, anyone have info on an 
     early American 4WD military truck known as the "Nancy Hank"? It was 
     developed by two engineers by the names of Zachow & Besserditch. I saw 
     it on a documentary some time ago, and I seem to recall the 
     Smithsonian was involved somehow or other in the production of this 
     program.
     
     Inquisitively,