Government auctioning off pair of classic military trucks | Events

Two vintage military trucks now at Barksdale Air Force Base will go to the highest bidder. The Department of Defense hopes some collectors will bid on the trucks, a 1952 Air Force ambulance and a 1957 Air Force fire truck.

Both vehicles were purpose-built for the Air Force. Currently they're part of BAFB's Artifact Collection. Bids for the vehicles will start at $150.

About the ’52 USAF Ambulance: Built by Chrysler Corporation in 1952 for exclusive use by the USAF, the Dodge M43 4x4 ambulance truck is painted “Air Force blue” with emergency logos on its sides and back; it also has the customary swing-out spare tire mount (with the spare tire) on the driver’s side door. This particular type of ambulance was produced from January 1951 to July 1954, with a few delivered after that date.  It has a Chrysler engine with a six-cylinder manual transmission and runs off of diesel fuel; the ambulance will need some work to get it back up and running again as parts of it have weathered and gone missing throughout the years.  We like the idea of fixing it up for historical display. 

About the ’57 USAF Fire Truck:  During the Korean War, American LaFrance (a premiere maker of emergency vehicles) produced this type of aircraft rescue and firefighting trucks for the USAF.  This model O-11B 6x6 truck was one of the last produced and in service to the Air Force from 1957 until the mid 1970s.  The truck was used under all climactic conditions for combating aircraft fires and providing fire protection services for unconventional fuel fires, aircraft maintenance and support of Air Force structural fire fighting units.  It is an all-weather vehicle with a fire extinguishing capacity of 1100 gallons and its fire pump is powered by an eight-cylinder engine.  It can traverse rough terrain at high speeds and start extinguishing fires immediately upon reaching the scene.  The truck can accommodate a crew of five but can be effectively employed with two firefighters.  With a little TLC this truck can be used for its intended purpose, although we like the idea of using it for historical display or turning it into a museum.

Online bidding for each vehicle begins on Thursday, October 18 at 12:00 am ET and closes Tuesday, October 22 at 5pm ET.  Minimum bid for each is $150.  The winning bidder of each vehicle will be required to trailer or tow them out.

For more information on the ambulance auction, please visit: http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?auctionId=5730021&convertTo=USD

For more information on the aircraft rescue and firefighting truck auction, please visit: http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?auctionId=5730225