Well, Hendrik, you could be right - the rear axle really looks like taken over from three-axle truck. Also the Stude could have been 6x4 version which would correspond with the visible non-driven axle. And if you take into consideration the lack of original spare parts (no more any lend-lease supplies during Cold War), this explanation seems to be the msot probable one.
By the way, the Sterling is really a BIG TRUCK, very nice
Happy searching, Jan.
