par - 1943 mack n0-2, 7.5 ton 6x6 truck
PAR, the Hebrew word for bull, serves as the prime mover for KELEV GODOL, our M2 155mm “Long Tom” artillery piece. The Mack Trucks NO series were primarily used to tow artillery, though PAR’s World War II use is largely unknown.
In 1940 Mack Trucks began the prototyping of a wheeled artillery tractor to tow artillery pieces of various sizes. The prototype’s capability was demonstrated in January 1942 by towing an M1 240mm howitzer more than 900 miles from South Milwaukee, Wisc., to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md. Mack began producing NO-1 and NO-2 models shortly thereafter before shifting to production of models NO-3 and NO-6 throughout1943 and 1944. PAR was built in 1943.
The Mack NO series were powered by an EY 6-cylinder gasoline engine, producing 159 horsepower and 534 ft-lb of torque. With its five-speed transmission, 6x6 drive and low/high transfer case, the series proved capable on and off road and could tow up to 50,000 pounds with a top speed of about 32 mph. The dual fuel tanks held 170 gallons of gas, giving the NO trucks a range of 400 miles on-road. A crane on the rear deck aided gun placement and cargo loading, and the Garwood 5MB winch on the front had a 40,000-pound pulling capacity.
Alongside KELEV KATAN, our M4 High Speed Tractor also used as an artillery prime mover, PAR gives us the ability to represent multiple methods of artillery transport and movement as well as a powerful truck to assist with general logistics and the occasional stuck vehicle.
Mack NO-2, 7.5 ton 6x6 Truck at a glance
Service History
In Service – 1943-1945
Production
Designed – 1942
Built - 1943
Manufactured by – Mack
Number Built – All NO models – 2,050
NO-2 model – 400
Armament
1 x M2HB .50 caliber machine gun
Specifications
Weight – 14.6 tons
Dimensions – 25.75 feet long, 8.5 feet wide, 10.4 feet tall
Crew – Two (Truck commander, driver)
Engine – Mack EY, 6-cylinder gasoline engine producing 159 horsepower
Speed - 32 mph
Operational range - 400 miles