Don Weaver Donates his
T-24 Weasel
to the
10th Mountain Division Living History Display Group
Thanks, Don, for the Donation!!!!!!
Don Weaver, who lives in New Mexico, contacted Dave Little, President of the 10th Mountain Division Living History Display Group, and offered to donate his Weasel to the group. After consulting with the other members of the group, Matt Heffernan volunteered to take a trailer to New Mexico and pick up the World War II vehicle. Don Weaver informed Matt that the Weasel had been stored in a shed, had some rust, and that the tracks were in bad shape. Don was unsure if it would start. Don called Matt several weeks later and told him the Weasel started, he would donate an extra set of tracks, and a 10th Mountain Division sled. Matt and his friend, Marton, drove down to New Mexico on Saturday, July 9th, to pick up all of the items.
After a four and a half hour ride from Denver, Matt and Marton met Don at the gate to his property and followed him up the dirt road. The rental truck and trailer required 1st gear to navigate the steep inclines. A great surprise awaited them at the top of the hill, a T-24 Weasel still in olive drab. Only 2003 T-24 Weasels were ever made. The army designated the T-24 the M-29 after testing. This Weasel's data plate is stamped, "1427". The Weasel had an old pickup top attached to it. Inside were all of the data plates, hatch covers, and poles to hold the canvas top. The 1-ton sled, which weighs 670 pounds, and an extra set of tracks were loaded in the rental truck. After hooking up the trailer, Don Weaver drove the Weasel onto the trailer. Don's wife served iced tea. Chet Barnes, a World War II veteran of the 84th Division (Railsplitters), gave Matt a copy of "The History of the Studabaker Weasel". Chet is a former Weasel owner himself.
Matt and Marton then drove four and a half hours back to Denver. Matt's neighbors eagerly gathered around wondering what the new vehicle was and, more importantly, where Matt would store it. On Sunday, Matt removed the pickup top, cleaned out the Weasel, and backed it into his garage. The 10th Mountain Living History Display Group will begin restoration after debuting the Weasel at one of their upcoming events. Stay tuned!!!
Matt & Marton follow Don Weaver up the dirt road.
T-24 Weasel, Serial #1714.
Don Weaver loads the weasel on the trailer.
Chet Barnes, 84th Division vet, watches the activities.
The 1-ton sled and extra tracks.
The weasel on its way to the 10th Mountain Living History Display Group's traveling museum.
Neighbors gather around as Matt and Marton prepare to back the weasel off the trailer.