Sterling Motor Truck Company Model Description
SterlingMotor Truck Company in World War Two
West Allis, WI
1907-1951
Rest in Peace
This page updated 2-6-2024.
The Sternberg Motor Truck Company was started in 1907 by William Sternberg. Sternberg was replaced in the company's name in 1916 due to anti-German sentiment in the country at that time. In 1918 Sterling Motor Truck Company produced 479 Liberty trucks. During World War Two Sterling supplied the U.S. Navy and the Army Corps of Engineers with several types of trucks.
How cool is this? Sterling truck enthusiast and historian Warren Richardson is driving the oldest known Sterling, a 1914 Sternberg 2-ton truck. Warren has been instrumental in providing information and photos for the page. The Sternberg is owned by the Nuss Collection in Minnesota. Steve Skurnowicz photo via Jeff Lakaszcyck from the 2023 Macungie truck show. Image added 1-17-2024.
The White Motor Company purchased Sterling on June 1, 1951. Sterling then became the Sterling-White Division of the White Motor Company, and all Sterling trucks were supposed to have been produced under the name Sterling-White. However, some of the trucks may have been built as Sterlings right after the purchase. On July 1, 1953, all production was moved from Milwaukee to the White plant in Cleveland. By the end of 1953, Sterling-White production had ceased, although existing orders for Sterling-White trucks were built until early 1954. Sterling and Sterling-White had also been building crane carriers for Bucyrus-Erie. Existing orders for these trucks continued until 1957-58. Freightliner resurrected the Sterling name on a series of Class 8 trucks built from 1997 to 2009.
The former Sterling Motor Truck Company factory still exists today as the West Allis Commercial Center and is the long series of buildings in the center of the photo. The two story green house in the lower left corner is part of the Sterling story as is the two story brown brick building at the bottom of the photo. Their significance will be explained in the narrative below. Google Earth satellite view added 2-6-2024.
World War One: Sterling was one of fifteen companies that built 9,364 standardized Class B Standard 4x2 Trucks, commonly known as Liberty trucks, for the U.S. Army in 1917-1918. Sterling built 479 Liberty trucks.
The two pages below are from the March 1918 issue of "The Motor Truck." This provides invaluable information that reveals the types, volume, and suppliers of motor vehicles and components that the U.S. Army Quartermaster contracted for use in World War One. The document shows that Sterling was originally contracted for 500 Liberty trucks. With the end of the war in November 1919, the contract was terminated at 479 units.
Document courtesy of Warren Richardson added 11-13-2020.
Sterling is listed twice on this page. First, Sterling is listed in the left-hand column for the contracted 500 trucks, and secondly in the upper right-hand corner for parts. There is one line item with two entries for 102,000 and 24,000 respectively for "minor parts." Document courtesy of Warren Richardson added 11-13-2020.
These two 1918 photos show nine rows of three Sterling Liberty trucks each, lined up in a partially developed residential area of Milwaukee, WI. Several of the Sterling Motor Truck Company employees can be seen talking, standing next to the nearest truck in the second row. Something not seen much anymore is laundry drying on clotheslines at two houses in the background. Photo from the National Archives.
The two story house in the photo still exists and has a current address of 1965 South 54th Street in West Allis, WI. In 1918 the house was located on South 45th Street. The Sterling Motor Truck plant was on the same side of the street and the one block south of the house. This photo was taken from the top of the roof of the Kempsmith Manufacturing Company's office building.
For more detailed information on the above photo and the location of the Sterling Motor Truck Company's factory, refer to the "The Sterling Motor Truck Factory in West Allis, WI" section near the bottom of this page.
This photo shows a closer view of the trucks with most employees at the wheel, with the exception of the one truck on the right. These photos were taken on July 16, 1918. There were two series of Standard B trucks. These trucks are of the first series because they have electrical lighting. Wires for the electrical current have been routed from holes below the headlights. The second series eliminated the electrical lighting and the associated battery, distributor, and generator. Photo from the National Archives.
In 2015 this World War One Liberty truck chassis and drive train were undergoing restoration at the First Division Museum in Wheaton, IL. This restoration is not specifically associated with any of the fifteen companies that built the Liberty truck because the parts are from various sources. Author's photo.
This is the completed Standard B Liberty truck. It is the second series as photographed in 2019. The electrical headlights have been replaced with oil wick lamps. A carbide gas spot light used as a driving light is mounted on the top of the firewall. This vehicle has been restored to operating condition and is driven around the First Division Museum complex on special occasions. Author's photo.
Author's photo.
Author's photo.
Author's photo.
The copper tube from the gas generator can be seen coming out of the fire wall and being routed to the spotlight. A flexible rubber hose at the spot light allows it to be aimed by the assistant driver. Author's photo.
The replica data plate shows the vehicle having chassis no. 14480 and a date of 7-271918. Author's photo.
This 1923 Sterling on display at the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum has an interesting story. Originally it had a dump body on it. In 1931, Mr. Frank Oulicky purchased it and the truck moved Mr. Oulicky and his wife and their belongings on a 16 day sojourn to the gold fields of California. The truck only had a top speed of 22 mph. Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
This classic looking Sterling HWS160 was photographed by Tim Wright at a 2022 Mecum auction. This has been identified as being built in either 1943 or 1944. Photo courtesy of Tim Wright added 1-17-2024.
Photo courtesy of Tim Wright added 1-17-2024.
Vintage Sterling trucks are rare and hard to find. In July 2022, Jeff Lakaszcyck was able to locate and purchase this great looking 1950 Sterling HB2002D. This vehicle is equipped with a Cummins HRBBD600 diesel engine. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 1-17-2024.
How cool is this? Sterling historian and collector Warren Richardson also owns a 1950 Sterling HB2002 dump truck. His truck is powered by a Waukesha 145GK gasoline engine. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 1-17-2024.
Sterling Motor Truck Company World War Production: Table 1 shows that the Sterling Motor Truck Company was awarded$10,549,000 in major contracts during World War Two. Outside of the information contained in Table 1, information on the number of different types of trucks that Sterling built for the war effort is sparse. Sterling supplied the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the United States Army Air Force, and the U.S. Navy. More complete military purchasing records for these products during World War Two are not available. Also, Sterling corporate records were lost when the company was purchased by White Motors in 1951. Therefore, any information on the number of trucks the company built is limited. The information supplied in Table 3 has been provided by truck historians Warren Richardson and Jeff Lakaszcyck. Without their assistance and knowledge, this page on the Sterling Motor Truck Company's contribution to winning World War Two would not have been possible. They have also provided many of the photos used on this page.
| Table 1 - Sterling Motor Truck Company's Major World War Two Contracts The information below comes from the "Alphabetical Listing of Major War Supply Contracts, June 1940 through September 1945." This was published by the Civilian Production Administration, Industrial Statistics Division, Requirements and Progress Branch January 21, 1946. Table added 1-12-2024. | ||||
| Product - Customer | Contract Number | Contract Amount | Contract Awarded | Completion Date |
| Truck Tractors - Army Corps of Engineers | 1098-ENG-34L | $63,000 | 8-1941 | 10-1941 |
| Trucks Motor - Army Corps of Engineers | 1098-ENG-251 | $48,000 | 9-1941 | 10-1941 |
| Construction Equipment - Army Corps of Engineers | 1098-ENG-00455L | $461,000 | 1-1942 | 6-1942 |
| Trucks - Army Corps of Engineers | 1098-ENG-451L | $244,000 | 1-1942 | 3-1942 |
| Truck Parts - Army Corps of Engineers | 414-ENG-1888 | $55,000 | 3-1942 | 6-1942 |
| Trucks - Army Corps of Engineers | 1098-ENG-17200L | $66,000 | 7-1942 | 11-1942 |
| Trucks - Army Corps of Engineers | 1098-ENG-2254 | $51,000 | 9-1942 | 9-1942 |
| Trucks Tractor - Navy | NXS-17444 | $3,115,000 | 11-1942 | 10-1943 |
| Trucks - Army Corps of Engineers | 1122-ENG-1186 | $888,000 | 12-1942 | 6-1943 |
| Truck Tractors - Navy | XS0-22612 | $156,000 | 1-1943 | 6-1943 |
| Tractor Trucks - Navy | NXS-25814 | $144,000 | 3-1943 | 9-1943 |
| Crane Trucks - Navy | NXS-29108 | $1,108,000 | 5-1943 | 3-1944 |
| Tractors - Navy | NXS-33528 | $320,000 | 6-1943 | 2-1944 |
| Cargo Dump Trucks - Navy | NXS-34652 | $238,000 | 9-1943 | 3-1944 |
| Trucks - Navy | NXS-37086 | $281,000 | 9-1943 | 12-1943 |
| Motor Truck Chassis - Navy | XSA-56661 | $364,000 | 1-1944 | 10-1944 |
| Ind Truck Motor Parts - Navy | XS0-49334 | $77,000 | 2-1944 | 7-1944 |
| Truck Chassis Cabs - Navy | NXS-51085 | $183,000 | 2-1944 | 9-1944 |
| Truck Parts - Army Corps of Engineers | 47013-ENG-509 | $70,000 | 3-1944 | 5-1945 |
| Tractors - Navy | XSA-62816 | $290,000 | 4-1944 | 3-1945 |
| Truck Chassis - Navy | XSA-67686 | $1,513,000 | 5-1944 | 6-1945 |
| Trucks - Army Ordnance | 11022-ORD-5231 | $56,000 | 9-1944 | 6-1945 |
| Trucks T28 - Army Ordnance | 11022-ORD-5232 | $56,000 | 9-1944 | 6-1945 |
| Trucks - Army Ordnance | 11022-ORD-5567 | $57,000 | 10-1944 | 7-1945 |
| Trucks - Army Ordnance | 11022-ORD-8756 | $54,000 | 4-1945 | 2-1946 |
| Trucks - Army Ordnance | 11022-ORD-8976 | $54,000 | 4-1945 | 2-1946 |
| Trucks - Army Ordnance | 11022-ORD-8789 | $108,000 | 4-1945 | 2-1946 |
| Trucks - Army Ordnance | 11022-ORD-8975 | $66,000 | 4-1945 | 2-1946 |
| Trucks - Army Ordnance | 11022-ORD-8977 | $64,000 | 4-1945 | 2-1946 |
| Trucks - Army Ordnance | 11022-ORD-8974 | $66,000 | 4-1945 | 2-1946 |
| Wrecker Trucks - Army Ordnance | 11022-ORD-9518 | $78,000 | 6-1945 | 2-1946 |
| Tractor Trucks - Army Ordnance | 11022-ORD-9528 | $155,000 | 6-1945 | 5-1946 |
| Total | $10,549,000 | |||
Table 1 shows us that the Army Corps of Engineers was Sterling's main military customer with contracts awarded between August 1941 through December 1942. Starting in November 1942 and running through June 1945, the U.S. Navy was Sterling's main customer. Table 2 shows that the U.S. Navy kept Sterling alive during World War Two, as it procured $7,789,000 trucks and parts. This was 73.8% of Sterling's military business during World War Two. Beginning in September 1944, Army Ordnance awarded Sterling eleven contracts worth $814,000 for work on experimental trucks that were not finished until 1946. However, Sterling was still working on Navy and Army Corps of Engineer's contracts through the middle of 1945.
Table 3 shows that the USAAF purchased 126 trucks. However, there are no major contracts representing the Army Air Force's purchases. It may well be these were purchased by the Army Corps of Engineers for the USAAF.
Table 1 shows that the U.S. Navy awarded Sterling contract NXS-29108 for crane trucks. The value of this contract was $1,108,000 Table 3 shows that the Navy procured 100 DDS150 torpedo crane trucks. If this was the only contract for the crane trucks, the individual cost was $11,080 each.
This data plate from Sterling DDS235 serial number 602 shows that it was built under Navy contract NXSA-17444. Table 1 shows that the value of this contract was $3,115,000. There were a total of 290 DDS235s built for the U.S. Navy during World War Two. The unit cost for each one was $10,741. Photo courtesy of Warren Richardson added 1-17-2024.
If the Navy contracts for parts and cabs is subtracted from $7,789,000, the result is $7,529,000. Table 3 shows that the U.S. Navy purchased 504 trucks. The 504 Navy trucks had an average cost of $14,938 each.
| Table 2 - Sterling Motor Truck Company's Major World War Two Contracts by Customer Table added 1-12-2024. | ||
| Customer | Contract Value | Percentage |
| Navy | $7,789,000 | 73.8% |
| Army Corps of Engineers | $1,946,000 | 18.4% |
| Army Ordnance | $814,000 | 7.7% |
| Total | $10,549,000 | 99.9% |
| Table 3 - Sterling Motor Truck Company World War Two Production Most of the information below was provided by Warren Richardson and Jeff Lakaszcyck. | ||||||||
| Model Number | Type | Capacity | Engine | Known Quantity | Known Serial Numbers | Known Dates of Production | Customer | Comments |
| MC96 | 4x2 Chain Drive | 4 | 1940 | Nick F Helmers and McWilliams Dredging | These were used by the civilian contractor to build the USAAF bases in the North Atlantic during World War Two. | |||
| HC144 | 4x2 Chain Drive | 7-11 Tons | Waukesha 6SRKR | 5 | 144HC617-619, 144HC679, 144HC6148 are known | 1940, 1943 | US Navy | There may be more than the five identified serial numbers. These are the only ones that historians have been able to find. Historians have also found production dates in 1940 and 1943. There may be others. |
| HC145 | 4x2 Chain Drive | 7-11 Tons | Waukesha 6SRKR | 18 | 145HC680 and 145HC6101 | 1940 | George Fuller, Merritt, Chapman & Scott | These were used by the civilian contractor to build the USAAF bases in the North Atlantic during World War Two. There are sixteen known derelict HC145s at a former USAAF base in Greenland. These were used by civilian contractors to build the base during World War Two. |
| HC165 | 4x2 Chain Drive | 8-12 Tons | Waukesha 6SRKR (in trucks used by USN) | 6 | 165HC663 and 165HC680- 684 | 1943 | U.S. Navy Bureau of Yards & Docks | Five tractors were purchased by the Navy Bureau of Yards & Docks. It is assumed that the Serial Numbers 165HC680- 684 were the five shipped to the Navy. |
| HC105 | 4x2 Chain Drive | 1 | USAAF | The HC105 model was built into Class 750 fire trucks with a covered cab. | ||||
| HD105 | 4x2 Drive Shaft | Hercules WXLC3 | 25 | 105HD618 to 105HD643 | 1942 | USAAF | Howe Fire Apparatus built at least one into a Class 750 fire truck with an open cab. | |
| DD115 | 4x4 Drive shaft | Waukesha 6SRKR | 50 | 115DD629 through 115DD678 | U.S. Navy | Four are still known to exist. | ||
| HCS297 | 6x4 was a dual chain drive | 15-20 Tons | Waukesha 145GK | |||||
| HWS160H | 6x4 with enclosed drive | 8-12 Tons | Cummins Diesel | 1 | U.S. Army | One was USA 0063654. | ||
| DDS150 | 6x6 enclosed drive | 42,000 lbs. GVW | Waukesha 6SRKR | 100 | 1943, 1945 | U.S. Navy | Torpedo crane truck. | |
| DDS225 | 6x6 enclosed drive | Waukesha 6WA | 100 | USAAF | Cardox 150enclosed cab fire crash truck was purchased by the Army Air Corps. | |||
| DDS235 Cardox | 6x6 enclosed drive (drive shaft) | 48,000 GVW from cab plate | Waukesha GK145 OHV gasoline engine | 40 | Known Serial numbers are 235DDS6251 to 235DDS6290. | U.S. Navy | Navy Registration Numbers 86782-86821 Cardox Serial numbers for this series of trucks is 1229-1268. One of at least two known surviving DDS235s is 235DDS6287 that is located at the Historical Construction Equipment Association in Bowling Green, OH. See photo below. Another is owned by a private owner in VA. See photo below. | |
| DDS235 Wrecker | 6x6 enclosed drive (drive shaft) | 48,000 GVW from cab plate | Waukesha GK145 OHV gasoline engine | 250 | 235DDS601-6250 Inclusive | 1943 | U.S. Navy | Aircraft crash recovery vehicle. |
HCS330 | 6x6 dual chain | 80,000 GVW from cab plate | Waukesha GK145 OHV gasoline engine | 56 | 330HCS610 to the highest is 330HCS665 Inclusive | 1945 | U.S. Navy | This aircraft recovery vehicle was used by the U.S. Navy for its bigger aircraft. |
| DDS??? | 6x6 | 2 | 1942 | U.S. Navy | This is described U.S. Navy literature as a Low Boy Tractor. It has an extended cab. | |||
| Total Trucks | 633 | |||||||
| T26 | 8x8 | 20 Ton | American LaFrance V12 275 HP | 1 | Jan - May 1946 | US Army Ordnance Division | This was originally built as a cargo carrier and then converted into a tractor. | |
| T26E1 | 8x8 | 20 Ton | Ford GAA V8 525 HP | 3 | US Army Ordnance Division | This model was built in both the cargo and tractor configurations. | ||
| T26E2 | 8x8 | 20 Ton | Ford GAA V8 525 HP | 2 | US Army Ordnance Division | This model was built in the wrecker configuration. | ||
| T26E3 | 8x8 | 20 Ton | Ford GAA V8 525 HP | 1 | US Army Ordnance Division | This could have been built as either a cargo carrier or a tractor. This was equipped with a Fuller 5M920 five-speed transmission. | ||
| T26E4 | 8x8 | 20 Ton | Ford GAA V8 525 HP | 1 | US Army Ordnance Division | This could have been built as either a cargo carrier or a tractor. This was equipped with a Fuller 5A920 five-speed transmission with a hydraulic converter. | ||
| T27E1 | 6x4 Chain Drive | Hercules HXD (white 666 chassis) | 1 | US Army Ordnance Division | White 666 with a dual chain drive bogie mounted by Sterling. | |||
| T28 T28E2 | 6x6 | 55,000 GVW | Continental X6820 820 cubic inch OHV 320 HP | 4 | June - Sept 1945 | US Army Ordnance Division | One T28 Cargo Unit, One T28 Tractor, Two T28E2 Tractors | |
| T29 T29E1 | 6x6 | 25 Ton, 225,000 GTW | Ford GAA V8 engines (1100 cubic inch displacement, 525 HP) | 2 | July 1945 | US Army Ordnance Division | T29E1 never built - re-designated as T46 | |
| T35 | 6x6 | 25 Ton, 335,000 GTW | Ford GAC V12 engines (1649 cubic inch displacement, 770 HP) | 1 | T 351 | Jan 1946 | US Army Ordnance Division | Dual Chain Drive rear with shaft driven double reduction front axle |
| T35E1 | 6x6 | 25 Ton, 335,000 GTW | Ford GAC V12 engines (1649 cubic inch displacement, 770 HP) | 1 | Jan 1946 | US Army Ordnance Division | Planetary double reduction rear axles with double reduction front axle | |
| T46 | 6x6 | 25 Ton, 85,000 GVW, 335,000 GTW | Ford GAA V8 engines (1100 cubic inch displacement, 525 HP) | 1 | T 461 | Sept 1946 | US Army Ordnance Division | From T29E1 with increased capacity |
| Total Experimental Trucks | 18 | |||||||
These two pages are from the 1944 booklet "Sterling at War." Image courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 11-13-2020.
Image courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 11-13-2020.
Image courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 11-13-2020.
Photos: Various models as shown below. The DDS150, DDS225, and DDS235 were the only models specifically built for military use. The HCS330 was highly modified for its use as a military truck. For the military version the frame was 50% deeper, the suspension was changed, and the sheet metal for the hood and fenders were modified. It was almost a different vehicle. The others were civilian models adapted for the military use.
4x2:
The Sterling HC145 4x2 Chain Drive was outfitted for coating gravel roads with dust reducing oil. They were used by the Army Corps of Engineers for the construction of airbases in the North Atlantic. Greenland and Iceland are two locations in the North Atlantic where Army Aviation Battalions built airbases during World War Two.
This1944 HC165 4x2 is one of five that were purchased by the U.S. Navy during World War Two. Image courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck.
This1942 Sterling HD105 4x2 Class 750 fire truck served at Lewiston AAF Base, MT during World War Two. Image courtesy of Warren Richardson added 11-13-2020.
This Sterling HC105 was on duty in the Aleutian Islands during World War Two.
This Sterling HC105 with serial number 641. Image courtesy of Warren Richardson added 11-13-2020.
Sterling also built this extended cab tractor for the U.S. Navy, which used it to pull loads between Naval Air Stations. Image added 1-28-2024.
4x4:
FiftyDD115 4x4s were purchased by the U.S. Navy. Image courtesy of Warren Richardson added 11-13-2020.
The previous photo and the one on this page from U.S. Navy Ordnance Pamphlet 865 are the same. However, the one from O.P. 865 tells how and where the DD115 was used by the Navy. Table 4 shows that the Navy procured 50 DD115s for use at advance bases during World War Two. O.P. 865's full title is Aviation Ordnance Equipment Catalog and shows all of the equipment needed by a Naval Aviation unit to operate and keep its aircraft in flying condition. No doubt the Sterling DD115s were present and pulling trailers to keep such Navy aircraft at the F4U Corsairs operating from island bases in the Solomon Islands. Image added 1-12-2024.
6x4:
The Sterling HCS297 6x4 was a dual chain drive dump truck. It was used for airbase construction in the North Atlantic.
The Sterling HWS160H 6x4 with a drive shaft and differentials came with a stake body. It was powered by a Cummins Diesel HB engine and utilized by the Army Corps of Engineers.
ThisHWS-160 is USA 0063654. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 11-13-2020.
6x6:
Sterling built the DDS150 6x6 enclosed drive torpedo crane truck for the U.S. Navy. Note the bracket on the bed for tying down the torpedoes.
The Sterling DDS225 6x6 enclosed cab fire crash rescue truck was purchased by the Army Air Corps. The one pictured above has a Cardox fire suppression system. Sterling provided chassis and cab, and Cardox added the rest of the equipment. It was powered by a Waukesha 6WA gasoline engine.
This is a Sterling DDS225 6x6 before the Cardox unit was added. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 11-13-2020.
This is a Sterling DDS 235 USN Cardox crash truck. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 11-13-2020.
This is anotherSterling DDS 235 USN Cardox crash truck. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 11-13-2020.
This DDS235 is part of the collection of the Historical Construction Equipment Association at Bowling Green, OH. The information placard notes that it is a 1946 model of the DDS235. However, information provided by Jeff Lakaszcyck identifies this truck as one of the 40 DDS235 Cardox trucks built for the Navy during World War Two. Most likely it was considered military surplus at the end of the war and then sold on the civilian market in 1946. This truck is serial number 235DDS6287 as shown in the photo below. Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
This photo of the serial number on the frame identifies this as a World War Two truck. Photo provided by Jeff Lakaszcyck added 1-17-2024.
Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
The Sterling DDS235 6x6 enclosed drive (drive shaft) aircraft crash recovery vehicle was used by the U.S. Navy. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 11-13-2020.
Today, Sterling trucks from World War Two are extremely rare. This example of a DDS235 is on display at the Overloon Museum in the Netherlands. Photo courtesy of Alf van Beem.
Photo courtesy of Alf van Beem.
Photo courtesy of Alf van Beem.
This 1943 DDS235 serial number 235DDS602 was purchased as surplus military equipment in 1947 by the Stuart Wrecker Service. It was in constant service with the company for 60 years and is the best looking and well-maintained of the surviving DDS235s in the United States. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 11-13-2020.
DDS235 at the World War II American Experience Museum: The Sterling DDS235 shown below is awaiting restoration at the museum. I was able to photograph it during my first visit to the museum. The truck will take considerable restoration to return it to operating condition and make it look new again. Doors will have to be found or fabricated as this truck does not have any. However, the museum has been able to save this rare Sterling truck. Once the truck has been found and saved, it is a matter of time and money to restore it to its original configuration.
Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
The wrecker unit on the DDS235 is a Gar Wood 3S6 T22. The boom is 18 feet long when retracted and 22 feet long when fully extended. It appears to be in the fully extended configuration. Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
The U.S. Navy purchased 250 Sterling DDS235 wreckers for aircraft crash recovery at its naval air stations. Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
The next four photos show the condition of the cab. Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
The instrument cluster is still complete. Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
The floor board will need to be replaced. Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
This and the next photo show the Gar Wood 3S6 T22 in more detail. Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
Author's photo added 1-12-2024.
Sterling's HCS330 dual chain aircraft recovery vehicle was used by the U.S. Navy for its bigger aircraft.
The largest land based US Naval aircraft, like these Consolidated PB4Ys would need the Sterling HCS330 aircraft wrecker to move them in an emergency. Author's photo.
This is one of at least twelve known survivors of the 56 HCS330 heavy wreckers built for the U.S. Navy during World War Two. It is sitting in a field in Marysville, MT. Photo courtesy of T.J. Donahue via Jeff Lakaszcyck added 12-31-2020.
Photo courtesy of T.J. Donahue via Jeff Lakaszcyck added 12-31-2020.
The data plate shows that this is U.S. Navy registration number 193806 and Sterling serial number 330HCST50. Photo courtesy of T.J. Donahue via Jeff Lakaszcyck added 12-31-2020.
Ken Ochenkowski is the owner of this HCS330. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 1-3-2022.
This HCS330 is owned by a private owner in Virginia. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 1-3-2022.
This HCS330 was in outside storage among some armored vehicles of the late Jaques Littlefield Collection. An unknown buyer purchased this truck at the auction after Mr. Littlefield's passing. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 1-3-2022.
This Sterling HCS330 was photographed when it was part of the collection at the Oorlogsmuseum at Overloon, The Netherlands before being sold to a private owner. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 1-3-2022.
This Sterling 6x6 is described in U.S. Navy literature as a Low Boy Tractor. It has an extended cab. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 11-13-2020.
Experimental Vehicles: Sterling built twelve heavy-duty tractors at the end of World War Two and into 1946. They were designed to pull trailers with the new heavy tanks the Army was beginning to produce. None ever entered into production.
The 8-ton 6x6 T28 tractor shown here and the T26 and T35 series of trucks below were experimental trucks ordered by Army Ordnance. There is no record of Army Ordnance acceptances of either of these two types during World War Two.
The Sterling 8-ton 6x6 T28 experimental truck.
Another experimental Sterling vehicle produced for Army Ordnance was the 12-ton 8x8 T26 Truck which had additional crew space. In today's vernacular it is a crew cab.
The T26 has been converted into a tractor and is under test while pulling the trailer and light tank. Image courtesy of Warren Richardson added 12-31-2020.
The 12-ton 8x8 T26E1 version of the truck does not have the crew cab.
The Sterling 12-ton 8x8T26E1 Tractor.
The25-ton 6x6 T35 Tractor.
The25-ton T35E1 Tractor.
Surviving Sterling World War Two Era Trucks:
The 1944 HC165 Sterling tractor shown below is owned by John Gott. This was one of five HC165s that were used by the U.S. Navy in World War Two. It is the only one that has survived.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 10-26-2020.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 10-26-2020.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 10-26-2020.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 10-26-2020.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 10-26-2020.
The 1947 HCS297H Sterling tractor shown below is owned by a private owner in Maine. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers used some of this type of civilian truck in Alaska.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 10-26-2020.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 10-26-2020.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 10-26-2020.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 10-26-2020.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 10-26-2020.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 10-26-2020.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 10-26-2020.
This photo was taken 2015 in Gary Sylvester's garage. It was the last time the two trucks were together. Ken Ochenkowski photo via Jeff Lakaszcyck added 10-26-2020.
This derelict DDS225 was photographed in the woods by the late Daryl Gushee and is the only known survivor of the series. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added11-13-2020.
This photo of a former Cardox DDS235 that was converted into a wrecker is owned by a private owner in Virginia. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added11-13-2020.
The Sterling Motor Truck Factory in West Allis, WI: Sometimes things just work out. I had just published my 1-17-2024 update of this page and realized I did not know the location of the Sterling factory. Therefore, on 1-18-2024, I asked Sterling historian Warren Richardson via email whether he had any information on this.
In his first reply, he sent this Google Satellite image. The mystery appeared to be solved. Sterling Motor Truck Company had a factory that ran between South 54th and 55th Streets, south of West Rogers Street in West Allis, WI. The address for the plant was 2021 South 54th Street. Image added 1-28-2024.
Later the same day, Mr. Richardson sent this and the image below that he had found in his records. This artist's drawing is from a Sterling advertising brochure for one of its 1940s era trucks. While the artist took some liberty with the width of the complex, the layout matches up with the previous Google Maps image. Note how well the roof of the building in the upper right of this drawing matches the roof in the satellite view above. With the two doors that open on to the driveway, this may have well been where the new trucks exited the factory. The Google Maps Satellite image above shows that the driveway area later became factory space. Image courtesy of Warren Richardson added 1-28-2024.
In the same email, Mr. Richardson also included this hand drawing he made that shows the same layout as shown in the previous two images. What was confusing was that the location was given as 45th and Rogers and/or 46th and Burnham in West Allis, WI. The current location for the factory is at Rogers and South 54th Street, not South 45th Street. For some reason, the street numbers changed over the years. Mr. Richardson and I were trying to understand why this had happened. Image courtesy of Warren Richardson added 1-28-2024.
This is where fate stepped in. Unbeknownst and independent of our research, Mr. Julian Erceg was also researching this same topic. Mr. Erceg grew up in West Allis, WI during the 1970s and 1980s and was aware of the former Sterling factory. However, he did not know that this particular building was the former Sterling plant, as the factory closed in 1951. He even had a girl friend that lived across the street from the former factory on South 55th Street!
As Mr. Erceg was currently researching this, he also found my website and contacted me on 1-20-2024. Below is the information he sent.
Mr. Erceg's research led him to this 1927 Sanborn Map, which he marked up and sent to me. First of all, it shows that the location of the factory was at Rogers between 45th and 46th streets. In 1927 it should be noted that the building on the northwest corner of the factory complex shown in the artist's drawing above has not yet been added. Also, he marked the location of the house in the 1918 photo. His marking "this is the house" is the one shown in the 1918 photo below. Image courtesy of Julian Erceg added 1-28-2024.
In the photo below, the Liberty trucks shown in front of the house were on 45th street north of Rogers Street and north of the Sterling factory. The photo also shows that Rogers Street was not paved east of 45th Street, as Mr. Erceg has pointed out on the Sanborn map.
He also included this Google Maps street view to show what it looks like over 100 years later. Image courtesy of Julian Erceg added 1-28-2024.
Mr. Erceg also has an arrow pointing north and labeled "photo 1." The Sanborn Map shows this building at this location. This was the office building for the Kempsmith Manufacturing Company. The photo was taken from the roof of this building. Google Street map image added 1-28-2024.
This is "photo 2" as noted on Mr. Erceg's Sanborn Map.
This is the former 45th Street, now 54th Street, looking north from Rogers Street. This is the location of the Liberty trucks in above photo. Google Street map image added 1-28-2024.
Mr. Erceg also included this 1996 aerial map that shows the West Allis, WI that he grew up in. The location of the house he grew up in is labeled "my house." His girlfriend's house is labeled "my GF's house." Also noted is the house from the 1918 Liberty truck photo. It is labeled "The House." This image is courtesy of the Milwaukee Historical Society. It was added 1-28-2024.
Next is the complete 1927 Sanborn map of the Sterling Motor Truck Company.
Note the Service Department building in the lower right hand corner of the map. We will see it again. Image added 1-28-2024.
This USDA aerial photo shows the Sterling Motor Truck Company factory in 1937. Image courtesy of Wisconsin Historical Image Finder added 1-28-2024.
Image courtesy of Wisconsin Historical Image Finder added 1-29-2024.
The length of the former Sterling Motor Truck factory along South 55th Street is 801 feet. The width of that portion of the factory is 100 feet. This includes the length of the building in the northwest corner with the white roof that was not on the 1927 Sanborn Map nor the 1937 USDA map. The length of the original factory building with the black roof is 700 feet. Image courtesy of Google Maps added1-28-2024.
This is the former Sterling Service Department. In 2016 it was the home of a construction company. All of the former Sterling factory buildings have been painted gray with red trim. One would never know this or the other buildings in the complex are over 100 years old. Image courtesy of Google Maps added 1-28-2024.
This image shows the east side of the 700 foot long building complex. The buildings still have their distinctive saw tooth roofs. Image courtesy of Google Maps added 1-28-2024.
This is the northeast corner of the complex at the corner of South 54th and Rogers Streets. This building was added after 1937. The earlier artist's rendering of the plant showed trees along the street in front of the plant. There are still trees on the east and north sides of the building. The red trim, gray painted walls, and shrubbery hide the fact that this was a former truck plant. Image courtesy of Google Maps added 1-28-2024.
This building at the corner of South 55th and Rogers Streets was also added after 1937, even though it is shown in the artist's rendering. It does not have the saw tooth roof but a domed roof that can be seen in this photo. The red trim along the top of the buildings along 55th Street hide the saw tooth roofs. Image courtesy of Google Maps added 1-28-2024.
The former Sterling Motor Truck plant is now the West Allis Commercial Center. Image courtesy of Google Maps added 1-28-2024.
Mr. Erceg's girl friend lived in one of the houses in this image. He noted in one of his emails that there was an old building across the street but they did not know what it had been. No doubt it did not look as good as it does now. Image courtesy of Google Maps added 1-28-2024.
