Dodge WC-52 in Canadian Service

[Hanno Spoelstra]

According to this picture from Dodge Power Wagons 1940-1980 Photo Archive, "the Canadian Army used this all-white camouflaged truck in its snowy northern climate".

Comments, anyone?

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data...40-1980-03.jpg

Regards,
Hanno

[mike mckinley]

hi hanno

that's an interesting picture, which i will assume dates from pre 1952? quite some time ago i read an article on dodge military trucks, where it was stated that between the end of the second world war, and the early 1950's, canada recieved dodge wc 52/53 trucks, wc 62/63 6x6's, and g.m.c. 2-1/2 ton cckw series trucks, with quantities unknown. this was under the map/mdap program. since i had never seen official pictures, or documentation of these vehicles being used in canada, i had always assumed they pointed to the u.s. supplied vehicles used during the korean war. the only other instance i know of where U.S. smp vehicles were used in canada are (a) on american bases located in canada, like stephenville, newfoundland, and (b) during the building of the alcan and canol roads. regarding alcan, and canol, i have a collection of pictures from both projects, and all of the dodge trucks are either of modified conventional pattern, or of the early 1/2 ton wc series. a final thought, if this photograph was taken after 1944, i'm surprised that they weren't using the d 3/4-apt, which by some accounts was a superior to the wc.
thanks for posting the picture
mike

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Yes, if there would be any Dodge Weapon Carriers in Canadian service, one would expect them to be of the Canadian Dodge T236 D3/4 APT type.

This pic is some sort of factory shot of a Dodge obviously sprayed white at the factory or a specialist shop. It is also fitted with a non-standard chromed Dodge nameplate on the hood and full weather protection. It makes me wonder if this wasn't some sort of special one-off, maybe to interest the Canadian Army to start using the WC-52 in its snowy northern climate?

H.

[mike mckinley]

hi hanno

i noticed that this was a new vehicle, no tell tale dents, or any other sign of ever being used. for the purpose of standardization, i can certainly understand the United States wanting canada to use the dodge, because when fighting side by side, it makes cense to be equipped alike. as for cold climate use, i think of the lend lease cmp's made for russia, with their in cab heaters, not to mention the heat radiating from the dog house, and a real, steel cab surround to keep the elements out. for this purpose, we would have been nuts to switch to the wc. don't get me wrong, i like o.d. canvas as much as the next guy....but not at -40.

mike

[Rolf S. Ask]

It looks like it has an early body. The tankfuel lid is of the small type that was used on the early bodies. It also goes all the way down to the "step board" that is an early feature. The grill however looks like on a later truck. If the scan had shown a bit more contrasts it would be possible to tell more abouth it.
The canvas doors looks like on the early open cabed GMC's.

Also notice the tank filler neck of some sort behind the spare wheel. It my be for some kind of winter kit.

But a nice Dodge it is!!

Rolf

[Rusty]

Note that the shock linkages and diff housing are also early type. You might start to think that this was an early WW2 promotional shot.

[Gunner]

I'm with Hanno...

All white camouflage doesn't work well... most painting instructions I've read (and followed when I was a driver) note that all one colour fails to disrupt the shape of the vehicle. If you really want to break up the shape you even paint the canvas and the tyres (see the S&P M135 ala Norway 1981).

The paint is too pretty and even the belly parts are painted... trust me... if the Sergeant Major had to lie on his back to see it; we didn't paint it!

As MM has noted, we had vehicles better suited for the great white north than an open bodied WC.

BTW lots of APTs were used by the CF post war.

Last point... Canada has always scrupulously made a point of paying for our kit. we were a lend lessor not a lend lessee. We did not receive any freebees (that I am aware of) under MAP/MDAP. US kit used in Korea was bought and paid for with cash or trade in kind.

Gotta run, dining with Rob Clarke tonight and then going to the Orleans antique car show!

Cheers! Mike

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Picture shows Corporal Don Colquette of 1 RCR and "Willy Royal" in Korea, sometime in 1952. Note Dodge Weapon Carrier in background.
Source: www.canadiansoldiers.com

[mike mckinley]

attached is another pic of U.S. vehicles in Canadian service, Korea 1951-52. the picture is titled "a friendly moment". it is a scan from the book, "100 years of the Royal Canadian Regiment" by Ken Bell, and, C.P. Stacey
mike