Clarkair CA-1 Discussion Board

I am writing a sequel to Missing Sticks, a novel set with the 101st Airborne on D-Day, and am researching the 326 Abn Engr Bn use of the CA-1 in Operation Market Garden. I can find references of it being taken in - I think in a Horsa - by the British, but no mention of it going in by Waco or C-47 with the 101st. Any one have any information that would help?

I see there have been a few lookers, but no input. Here is a extract from the draft manuscript:

"Tech Sergeant Luke Dawson scrubbed the grit from his eyes in frustration. Machines weren't supposed to beat people, but this damn bulldozed was winning. The engineers prided themselves on being able to do any construction job and still fight like the best airborne infantry. Taking this piece-of-shit tiny Clarkair bulldozer on the next mission seemed to fit the bill. Except he couldn't get the hydraulics to lift the blade. At this rate they wouldn't even be able to get it on the assigned Waco glider, one in a long line parked outside the hanger.
With his arm still gimpy from the German bullet he took on D-Day, Dawson wasn't on the manifest to jump on this one. Just as well. He had his fill of excitement over Normandy. Not to mention his new British bride.
“Sergeant Dawson, how’s that CA-1 coming?” His Lieutenant called out over the rumble of C-47 engines taxiing along the tarmac.
Dawson shook his head. “I scrounged a control valve from one of the Sherman dozer tanks in the scrap yard, but still can’t get the blade to get up off the ground.”

At this rate I'm going to have to leave the CA-1 in England and let Dawson fly over with the artillery guys
Did the Airborne engineers have a nickname for the CA-1?
Any comments/suggestions welcomed.

Hi there,

The brits flew out 2 Clarks, but only one landed near Arnhem, there are some pictures of it, I knew the Glider Pilot who flew it, but he passed away several years ago.

On the US side, I have not much info, one picture of a Clark in Sleek-Ewijck, in the mud, seen in some books.
The info that the pump and control valves were the same in dozer Shermans is correct, I used one of these pumps, and have that manual for the dozer Sherman.

Never heard of a nickname? Damn Bulldozer fits the bill I guess!

Email me direct for pictures, and maybe some more shreds of info,

Lex Schmidt

Lex

Thanks for your offer re: pics. I would like a good WWII or at least a better photo to go on my web page http://johnmtaylor.com/OneStick/onestick.htm.

The manuscript is finished and out searching for an agent, with the ClarkAir playing a major (fictional) role.

Let me know if you wold like to look over the entire manuscript.
John

If you haven't already done so, you can check out this site for more pictures of the CA-1 Clark. www.syltech.net Good luck, Art

Art

Thanks for the link.

One Stick and a Waco, the manuscript I mentioned with the CA-1, is set during Market Garden. I am now starting the next in the series set at Bastogne, still featuring the 101st Airborne. Next will be a novel set in the CBI with some of the same characters, especially the CA-1.

John

J. M. Taylor, Author of the Award Winning Thrillers
Gulf Winds, Missing Sticks, Desert Winds and Lost Key
Life Member, 101st Airborne Association
1st Bde, 101st Abn VN 1965
20th Engineer Bde and II Field Force VN 1970
http://johnmtaylor.com

Thanks to the members who assisted in the research and photo sources for One Stick and a Waco http://www.amazon.com/One-Stick-Waco-J- ... 1879043254 . If you would like to read the prequel, Missing Sticks, the eBook is free for a limited time from Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/15505 using coupon code AH82S at checkout.

Once again, thanks to those who assisted in the research for One Stick and a Waco. I enjoyed being able to surprise my readers with something most readers (including myself) knew nothing about with the inclusion of a CA-1.

In commemoration of the sacrifices of the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division, OSS, teams, and many others during Operation Market Garden 70 years ago this week, discount coupons for my WWII novels MISSING STICKS and ONE STICK AND A WACO eBooks are available at Smashwords.com . Discount codes and book descriptions are on my website at John M. Taylor .