Dodge 1/2-ton trucks in Commonwealth service

[Keith Webb]

Moderator's note: this thread was split off Nice Dodge pic

Four pics here:



Edit: see https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/dodge_truck.htm for the source of these images

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Yes, they're off Dodgenut's site. The WC52 carries a 1947 West Sussex rego.

[dodgenut]

Aye Dodges feature in a number of places on the site!
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/dodgerestoration.htm

Rick

[cliff]

more like a WC26 carryall.

WC52 was the 3/4 ton weapons Carrier.

[gordon]

That panel van could be a WC11 half ton 4 x 4 panel, but it is more likely to be a WC42 half ton 4 x 4 radio panel, made specially for the Commonwealth.

Unfortunately the pics don't show enough detail of the distinguishing features - metal roof fill panel, roof mounted vent for the radio heat, and rear window blackout curtains.

I was lucky enough to get a good look round Rick's 1940 RAF aircrew bus before the restoration started, and look forward to seeing it again when he is done...

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/dodge...estoration.htm

Gordon

knows about Dodges

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by gordon

That panel van could be a WC11 half ton 4 x 4 panel, but it is more likely to be a WC42 half ton 4 x 4 radio panel, made specially for the Commonwealth.

Unfortunately the pics don't show enough detail of the distinguishing features - metal roof fill panel, roof mounted vent for the radio heat, and rear window blackout curtains.

On the internet I read:

“WC-11, WC-19, WC-42

Almost 1,400 panel van trucks, and panel van bodied radio communication cars. At first, regular panel van trucks were ordered: 642 units of WC-11, and 103 units of WC-19. The subsequent WC-42 panel vans were however furnished and equipped as radio communication cars. The 650 WC-42 radio panel vans almost outnumbered their bare transportation siblings, and they were also the only radio communication cars that Dodge built in a panel van body style in the entire VC and WC series range.

Almost half of production, 650 units, went to the British Empire under the U.S. Lend-Lease agreement.”

Attached a pic of a restored one:

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Speaking of 1/2-ton Dodges, did the Commonwealth armies use any of the other versions? E.g. the WC-26 Carryall?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Speaking of 1/2-ton Dodges, did the Commonwealth armies use any of the other versions? E.g. the WC-26 Carryall?

According to the caption of this picture, out of 1,100 WC-26 Carryalls built, 300 were delivered to the British via Lend-Lease.

Does anybody know in which theatres they were used?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Bart Vanderveen wrote the British used the WC-21, WC-23, WC-26, WC-27 and WC-42.




The attached picture shows a WC-42 with census number Z-4781243.

[Alex van de Wetering]

The attached picture shows a WC-42 with census number Z-4781243.

Hanno, I do remember a restored one in green(brown?) with black camouflage that used to move around in our area of the country. No idea if it was an original ex-Lend Lease one though.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Hanno, I do remember a restored one in green(brown?) with black camouflage that used to move around in our area of the country. No idea if it was an original ex-Lend Lease one though.

Alex, do you mean this one? I thought about it and then realised this is the bigger brother, the Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton 4x4 Panel Truck, equipped as Signal Corps K-51 Radio Truck, with K-52 1-ton Ben Hur trailer.




Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton 4x4 Panel Trucks, equipped as Signal Corps K-51 Radio Trucks, with K-52 1-ton Ben Hur trailers, parked on Pier X, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, Newport News, VA, 25 February 1943.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Alex, do you mean this one? I thought about it and then realised this is the bigger brother, the Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton 4x4 Panel Truck, equipped as Signal Corps K-51 Radio Truck, with K-52 1-ton Ben Hur trailer.

No, not that one

[Alex van de Wetering]

I can't seem to find it in my own pictures, but this is the Dodge (not Chevrolet ) I was referring to.

I have a feeling it's now in Friesland.

source: http://buzzybeeforum.nl/viewtopic.ph...43124&start=75

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Thanks Alex, that’s a nice Dodge Carryall. I snuck in the Chevrolet as that one triggered my memory when you mentioned black camouflage.

That link you shared even shows a second 1/2-ton Dodge Carryall with Dutch license plates.

Now, who has some wartime pictures of half ton Dodges in Commonwealth service?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Found this webpage with some info and photos of half-tonners in service with the Polish army in Italy: https://usautoindustryworldwartwo.co...polisharmy.htm.

I was surprised to see the Pickup/Weapons Carrier in use in Italy.

Attached are some photos with obligatory CMP / MCP content, see the link for more photos:

Below are several photos of Dodge 1/2 ton trucks in service with the Polish Army in the Italian campaign during the Second World War, which give a glimpse into the use of these vehicles after they were sent to the British under Lend-Lease early in the conflict. The British then passed the some of the vehicles along to the Polish Army as it manpower, but no trucks or other equipment. Of the 2,382,311 trucks produced by the American Auto Industry during WWII, 28%, or 667,047 were supplied to our Allies through Lend-Lease.

The half ton Dodge in combat during WWII was a rarity, making these photos historically significant as only thirty photos of exist of the vehicles in combat from all fronts during the war.

We are indebted to P.M. Radomski for providing these images from the A. Kaminski Archive.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

The Dodge WC-27 ambulance was the most numerous half-tonner in Commonwealth service. These images show them in service in the Western Desert.

Note: I just realised many of these Ambulances in the Western Desert were operated by the American Field Service (AFS). I do not know if the AFS, which was a volunteer organisation, were equipped by the US or British government.

I recall seeing these half ton Ambulances in service with the New Zealand army in the Western Desert, too. I cannot find any pics at the moment, though. Ref. https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scho...t1-g1-t11.html



Source: https://images.google.com/hosted/lif...5d4e50262.html | https://images.google.com/hosted/lif...74b2b59d2.html

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Half-ton Pick-up marked “CANOL 5182” which denotes it was used for the Canol Project. I understand many half-tonners were used there.

As I understand it, this project was funded and thus led by the USA, which furnished much of the equipment and personnel. Even though this truck was operated on Canadian soil, I don’t think it really qualifies for being in Commonwealth service.

Original caption reads "Men unloading the truck - plane nearby. Date: ca. July 1943. No place, unknown, or undetermined."
The "Men" are obviously RCAF personnel, but the truck is not an RCAF asset it seems.



Source: https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Collec...Number=3586123