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BTO (RANK 1.0) ( 🇺🇸 USA) (FWD Model B)

The FWD Model B was an American built four-wheel drive truck produced by the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company that saw widespread service with American and British forces during the First World War.

Design
The FWD Model B was a cab over engine truck with full-time four wheel drive powered by a 389 cubic inch straight-four Wisconsin T-head engine that produced 36 bhp (27 kW) at 1,800 rpm. The chassis was constructed with a double ladder frame, with a short inner frame carrying the engine and driveline mounted within an outer frame that mounted the suspension and carried the cab and body. The drive was transmitted to each axle via a Cotta three-speed constant-mesh gearbox through a single speed silent chain transfer case with a lockable center differential. Braking was provided through all four wheels by an external contracting band operating on a flywheel on the back of the transmission. The transfer case was equipped with two differential locks to allow the vehicle to be driven in either front or rear drive mode in the event of a driveshaft failure.[1][2][3]

Power was distributed by shafts to front and rear live axles. Steering was accomplished using FWD's patented double-Y constant velocity joints. The front wheels were mounted with significant camber to bring the tire contact patches as close as possible under the steering knuckle pivot point to reduce steering effort, resulting in a distinctive "pigeon toe" appearance. Another identifying feature was the two radius rods running from each differential to brackets on the frame near the transfer case to help keep the axles aligned.[4] The Model B was originally provided with solid tyres on spoked or disk wheels. Many were converted to pneumatic tyres in the 1930s.[1] Most were equipped with either a steel ammunition body or a wooden supply body, though some were fitted with a variety of specialty bodies including air compressor, artillery repair, artillery supply, baggage repair, spare parts, mobile office, power saw, balloon winch, water tanker, several types of machine shops and a searchlight.[5]