Mon petit tank

The book U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles by Fred W. Crimson describes the Ford/Chase on page 210. One photo shows a front three-quarter view with the same tank and Newton Baker driving and the other a side view. The two captions are as follows.

"One of the most fascinating vehicles tested by the Ordnance Corps during the 1920's efforts to find a reliable cross-country vehicle was this Ford Model T with eight wheels and full tracks. The track can be recognized as the cleat-and-canvas Chase track which was experimented with extensively by Ordnance. Photographed in February 1921 in Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C, with the Secretary of War Newton D. Baker at the wheel, the Ford was driven back to Syracuse for "shop tests", then returned to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The Ford/Chase was designed during 1920 at the Syracuse Engineering Office, and was built there also. It was back at Aberdeen by 13 May 1921. Total weight was 1900 pounds, and the Ford four-cylinder engine developed 20 horsepower, and allowed speeds in the 25 to 30 mile per hour range."

"The side view of the Ford Model T with Chase track was taken while the vehicle was being evaluated at Aberdeen in the spring of 1921. The test report indicates that the car successfully crossed ravines and climbed slopes, but that the front axle and an auxiliary brake arm were bent during the trials. Other tests including "high speed" runs and a "bridging test" (it could span a 4 foot 6 inch gap) were more successful. Overall length was 12 feet 1 inch, width was 5 feet 5 inches. The driver's hands are on the two levers which controlled the auxiliary brakes; these brakes provided the total steering effect by slowing or stopping the respective tracks, by means of special 15-inch diameter brake drums (external contracting) which were mounted on the Ford's rear axles and activated the differential. The normal steering mechanism was locked in the straight-ahead position. The ford with Chase track was subsequently sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for further tests by the Field Artillery."

There was also a Dodge version of this vehicle knows as the "Experimental Light Repair Tractor Caisson (Dodge Unit Chase Track)" which had a full-width fuel tank behind the seats and a cargo bed. Crimson states that "it was eventually fitted with the necessary top and cargo canvas to make it a proper repair vehicle." Three of these Dodges were built with the last one "eliminated the second axle, and put the Chase track only around the two rear sets of wheels, essentially creating a half-track." The Dodge vehicle appears to have been slightly bigger as there is more distance between the wheels than on the Ford. The photo shows this version of the vehicle from Army Ordnance (magazine), September-October 1923, Page 108