5 ton ESP Prototype (M939/5TTR)

[M813rc]

It's a shame it was allowed to deteriorate like that. I wanted both trucks at the time, but got a firm no, not for sale.

I figured you'd recognize the place.

Cheers

 

[fuzzytoaster]

I made a separate thread about the MTVR made by AMG that is a big sister to the 5TTR we are discussing here. In order to keep clear channels of info you can read it here: https://www.steelsoldiers.com/threads/am-general-mtvr-prototype.222821/#post-2602306

 

[wandering neurons]

Regarding M939 with the Tatra suspension:
I may have NDA issues here, so this will be a little generic. At a recently-previous job I held, I saw two Tatra 813 three-axle variants missing their suspensions. Said M939 with Tatra underpinnings but US powertrain was at said job location. This variant was custom-built by the company as a proof-of-concept for independent-suspension in a US military transport vehicle. The vehicle showed that independent suspension provided a much-superior ride quality to straight axles. I believe that then lead to follow-on programmatic efforts by AMG and Oshkosh to develop their prototypes, of which you apparently now own one.
Unfortunately, while said company has their facility on a public road, stopping for photos along their fence line is "discouraged" by security. Lots of other prototype vehicles that were proof-of-concept, and a junkyard that is eye-opening.
K, 'nuff said.

I managed to pick up this 5 Ton ESP (5TTR) truck today and it's unique. Cat 3126, 7 speed allison, M923A2 axles/cab/hood, and future 7 ton intake/exhaust system. Time hasn't been kind to it but all the oils are clean and tank is full of diesel. The hood, fenders, and doors are absolutely ravaged and will need to be replaced. The cab is in remarkably good condition to my surprise. The rest of the truck is a little flakey due to time in the elements.

I know the designer who headed the 5TTR protect at AM General and when I shared this he was astonished. He recalls 5 prototypes being made by them vs 6 builds submitted by Oshkosh. He said #1-#4 were made in his shop. By the data seen so far it's safe to assume these ESP prototypes evolved from the M939 (not M809) and moved toward the MTVR that we recognize today. The 5TTR program was too expensive to be viable vs buying new trucks so it was cut early on compared to the MTVR program which was running concurrently.

The truck with the M809 style hood in the first post was truck #1 and is the only one to be of that M809 style. I can only make a SWAG (Scientific Wild Ass Guess) that it was heavily influenced by their previous push for a M809 ATAC truck. https://www.steelsoldiers.com/threads/am-generals-atac-all-terrain-all-climate-m809-trucks.205821/ Heck, maybe it's the same truck but updated! I want to know what happened to this one especially.

User big block 88 posted a thread back in 2017 about a M939 with TAC4 suspension and it may very well have been a last finished 5TTR submission by Oshkosh. It does look rather polished and recognizabl by the photo. https://www.steelsoldiers.com/threads/m939-with-tac4.174707/

There was heavy influence to use the Cat/Allison combo by AM General though Oshkosh stayed with the 8.3 and air to air cooled it among other things. Too many questions to ask there. I can only assume AM General had a good working relationship with both Cat and Allison since the M35A3 SLEP was in full swing already and they met requirements.

I want to know where the M939 with the Tatra suspension fits into all this. I presume very early Oshkosh 5TTR prototype.

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