Dodge WC series
| Dodge WC series | |
|---|---|
Dodge WC-3 ½-ton 4x4
|
|
| Type |
1⁄2, 3⁄4-ton 4x4 truck 1 1⁄2-ton 6x6 truck |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Dodge/Fargo |
| Produced | 1941-1945 |
| Number built | 255,000+ |
| Specifications (WC-52) | |
| Weight | 5,550 lb (2,520 kg) (empty) |
| Length | 177 in (450 cm) |
| Width | 83 in (210 cm) |
| Height | 82 in (210 cm) |
|
|
|
| Engine | Dodge T-214 92 hp (69 kW) |
| Transmission | 4 speed X 2 range |
| Suspension | Live beam axles on leaf springs |
|
Operational
range |
240 mi (386.2 km) |
| Speed | 54 mph (87 km/h) |
The Dodge WC series was a range of light military trucks produced by Dodge and Fargo during World War II. The series included weapon carriers, telephone installation trucks, ambulances, reconnaissance vehicles, mobile workshops and command cars. They were replaced after the war by the Dodge M-series vehicles. WC was a Dodge model code: W for 1941 and C for half-ton rating. The C code was retained for the ¾ ton and 1½ ton 6×6 Dodges.
Dodge began producing light trucks immediately upon its formation in 1914. For the first few years these were based largely on the existing passenger cars, later specific chassis and body designs were used. Light- and medium-duty models were offered first, then a heavy-duty range was added during the 1930s and 1940s. Dodge produced its first prototypes of dedicated military trucks in late 1939: the 1/2 ton 4x4 VC series. Production of the VC series started in 1940. At the outset of World War II, Dodge produced the G-505 WC ½ ton series of military light trucks in 38 individual models, thousands of some models were produced, while only a few of some others were made. The WC ½ ton trucks replaced the 1940 VC-1 to VC-6 ½ton Dodge trucks which were also part of the G505 series. 79,771 of the ½ ton trucks were produced during late 1940–1942 under War Department contracts. WC models 1 to 50 were part of the 1/2 ton range and were 80% interchangeable in service parts with the later 3/4 ton models.
Common features of the 1/2 ton trucks were:
The Dodge G-502 ¾ ton 4×4 trucks were first introduced in late 1941. Standard vehicles in the ¾ ton 4×4 class were the WC-51 / WC-52 Weapons Carrier, Telephone Installation Trucks, WC-53 Carryall, and the WC-54 Ambulance. In the cargo trucks, the WC51 was identical to the WC52 but did not have the front bumper-mounted winch.
The table includes data on the relation between identification numbers and types of body fitted. For comparison, earlier Dodge military trucks of the 1/2 ton range are included.
In the case of vehicle identifications separated by a slash, the first number refers to a vehicle not fitted with a winch, and the second to a vehicle fitted with a winch. Numbers separated by a comma indicate similar models but with different secondary details.
Closed cab, two seater pickups with a nominal carrying capacity of a 1,000 lb (450 kg).
Weapon carriers, two seater pickups with open cab. The open cab pickups could be fitted with an optional M24 machine gun mount,which bolted across the front of the bed. The mount could carry the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle, as well as the M1919 Browning machine gun, and the M2 Browning machine gun.
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