U.S. ARMY “KITCHEN, MOBILE” FIELD TRAILER
 

R & D Labs, Jeffersonville, Indiana, c. 1944–50s. Riveted steel body on twin axles with solid disc wheels; draw-bar with lunette eye for pintle towing; stenciled “KITCHEN, MOBILE” and “R & D LABS / JEFFERSONVILLE, IND.”, unit number RDJ-623 and US to the chassis. Detachable glazing to upper window bays with a canvas/weatherproof roof and roll-down side curtains; rear double doors opening to a fold-down stair. The interior arranged as a compact galley with continuous work surfaces, under-counter storage, shelves, and three large insulated food containers/issuing chests to the forward bulkhead. Retains numerous original fittings and hardware.

Designed to move with maneuver units and feed troops close to the line of march, U.S. “mobile kitchen” trailers of this period were purpose-built for high-volume preparation and distribution of hot rations. Produced by contractors such as R & D Labs during the closing years of the Second World War and into the early Cold War, they were common sights in stateside training camps, overseas depots, and on post-war relief and occupation duty. Survivors in complete, largely unaltered condition are decidedly uncommon, most having been stripped for parts or converted to civilian use.