While reading through the extensive history of the half track, I stumbled on the fact that the owner of the rarest of these half tracks was Fred Smith of the UK. Having recently read that Fred Smith also owned and nicely restored the Ford Budd prototype, I got curious about who Fred Smith is. At this point, I don’t know anything about him other than he’s got quite the jeep collection. Here’s an approximate list (this list is a guess based on what I’ve read online):
- 1940 Ford Budd Prototype
- T-28 Half Track
- Willys MT-TUG 6×6
- 5 or 6 Ford GPs
- Ford GP four wheel steering
- Ford GPA (seep)
- Willys MA
- Willys MB
Not a bad collection! Apparently, Fred shows these on occasion (or often) at the War and Peace Show at Beltring in Kent, UK.
I am the person who rescued the famous T-28 Jeep Halftrack, summer 1971; from a scrap-heap at a military salvage yard in Wingate Pennsylvania (near State College PA). I paid $50 for it, and they lifted it off a 4 vehicle high scrap-heap onto my trailer, pulled by a 1966 Corvair Coupe
Dennis, nicely done! One man’s junk is now a treasure 🙂
Hi Dennis. I am Fred Smith and I owe you a big thankyou for saving the Halftrack, not just for me, but for all jeep lovers. It cost me much, much more when I bought it!!
Best Regards. Fred
Thanks for the comment Fred. I’m so happy you have been able to save it as well as the other vehicles you have restored/maintained!
– Dave