Dodge WC series

Dodge WC series
Dodge WC series
Overview
Manufacturer	Dodge
Production	1940–1945
Body and chassis
Class	Military vehicle
Layout	Front engine, four-wheel drive / six-wheel drive
Chronology
Predecessor	VC series

The Dodge WC series was a range of light military trucks produced by Dodge 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.^[1]

History and design[]

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.^[2] 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.^[1]

Common features of the 1/2 ton trucks were:

Drive: 4×4
Wheelbase: 116 in (123 in for ambulances)
Track width: 59.375 in
Tires: 7.50x16
Brakes: Hydraulic
Engine: 6 cyl, in-line, L-head
Transmission: 4 forward/1 reverse, manual
Transfer case: Single speed

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.^[3]

Models[]

The table includes data on the relation between identification numbers and types of body fitted.^[4] For comparison, earlier Dodge military trucks of the 1/2 ton range are included.

	T202	T203	T207	T211	T214	T215	T112	T118
Pick-up (closed cab)	VC3	VF401/VF402, VF404/VF405	WC1	WC12, WC14		WC40, WC25, WC47	WC38, WC47
Pick-up (open cab)	VC5		WC3/WC4	WC13	WC51/WC52	WC21, WC22
Pick-up (no rear seats)	VC4		WC5
Carry-all	VC6		WC10	WC17	WC53	WC26, WC48	WC36, WC48
Dump truck		VF403, VF406
Reconnaissance	VC1		WC6/WC7	WC15	WC56/WC57	WC23/WC24
Radio truck	VC2		WC8	WC16	WC58/WC64 WC54	WC25
Van			WC11	WC19		WC42, WC49	WC37, WC49
Mobile workshop					WC60	WC41
Maintenance					WC60	WC43
Portee					WC55
Ambulance		VF407	WC9	WC18	WC54	WC27
Telephone line installation					WC59	WC43	WC 39, WC50
Closed cab (without body)				WC20		WC41		WF31

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.

Engines[]

Vehicle code	Bore (mm)	Stroke (mm)	Capacity (cm³)	Compression ratio	Torque (N m)	Power (HP)
T202	79.4	111.1	3294	6.7:1	208	79
T203	85.7	114.3	3957	6.5:1	255	99
T207	82.6	111.1	3567	6.5:1	222	78
T211	82.6	111.1	3567	6.5:1	222	78
T214	82.6	117.5	3772	6.7:1	244	92
T215	82.6	117.5	3772	6.7:1	249	99
T223	82.6	117.5	3772	6.7:1	244	92

Model descriptions[]

1/2 ton series[]

WC1, WC5, WC12, WC14, WC40[]

Cabina cerrada, camionetas de dos plazas con una capacidad de carga nominal de ☃☃.

WC3, WC13, WC21[]

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.

Length: 181- 1/16 inches
Height: with top 88-1/8 inches
Weight: 4440 net
Width: 75-13/16 inches
Height:
Payload: 1300 LB

WC4, WC22[]

Open cab weapons carrier, with Braden MU winch, and transverse seats, designed to tow the M3 anti-tank cannon as well as carry the gun crew and ammunition. This type was usually issued to early tank destroyer units. 5570 built.

Length: 191- 5/16 inches
Height: with top 88-1/8 inches
Weight: 4775 net
Width: 75-13/16 inches
Height:
Payload: 1000 LB

WC9, WC18, WC27[]

Entering production during 1941 to early 1942,^[5] they were specifically designed to serve as military ambulances. These early variants are distinguishable from the later ones by having a curved radiator grille, while the later ones (WC51 onwards) featured a flat grille. These versions were given a longer 123 in (3,100 mm) wheelbase.

Length: 195 inches
Height: 90 inches
Weight: 5340 net
Width: 75-13/16 inches
Height:
Payload: 1300 LB

WC10, WC17, WC26, WC36, WC48[]

Carryall trucks with a nominal carrying capacity of a 1,000 lb (450 kg).

WC11, WC19, WC42[]

Panel trucks carrying radio and communication equipment.

WC6, WC8, WC15, WC16, WC23[]

Command cars.

WC25[]

Command car with radio 12 volt

WC7, WC24[]

Command car with winch

WC39, WC43, WC50[]

These models were built as signals trucks, designed to install and repair telephone lines, and were also known by the U.S. Signals Corps as the K-50 truck.

WC41[]

Fitted with dual rear tires. Mostly employed as an emergency repair truck whose purpose was to provide mobile facilities for emergency ordnance repair. Other types of bodies were produced, such as an oil service vehicle. 902 of these chassis were built.

3/4 ton series[]

WC51[]

123.541 WC51 Ciężarówka, ładunek, 3/4 ton, 4x4 bez Winch Dodge (G502) Zbudowano nośniki broni. Otwarte skrzynie ładunkowe można wyposażyć w opcjonalne mocowanie karabinu maszynowego M24A1, które przykręcane jest z przodu łóżka. Uchwyt obejmujący transport Karabin maszynowy Browning M1918, ten karabin maszynowy Browning M1919, lub karabin maszynowy M2 Browning.

Length: 13 ft 11 in / 4.24 m
Height (with canvas cover): 6 ft 10 in / 2.08 m
Height (with top down): 5 ft 2 in / 1.57 m
Weight: 5,645 lbs / 2 560 kg net
Width: 6 ft 11 in / 2.11 m
Payload: 1,750 lbs / 800 kg

WC52[]

WC52 Truck, Cargo, 3/4 ton, 4x4 w/Winch Dodge (G502) Weapons Carriers was identical to the WC51, but fitted with a Braden MU2 7,500 lb / 3 402 kg capacity winch at the front bumper. 59,114 built.

Length: 14 ft 9 in / 4,48 m
Height (with canvas cover): 6 ft 10 in / 2,08 m
Height (with top down): 5 ft 2 in / 1,57 m
Weight: 5,945 lbs / 2 697 kg net
Width: 6 ft 11 in / 2,10 m
Payload: 1,750 lbs / 800 kg

WC53[]

A carryall, mechanically it was virtually identical to the WC54 but was fitted with two windows on each side of its rear body. 8,400 WC53 Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Dodge Carryall (G502) built.

Length: 15 ft 6 in / 4,73 m
Height: 6 ft 9 in / 2,06 m
Weight: 5,700 lbs / 2 590 kg
Width: 6 ft 7 in / 2,00 m
Payload: 1,750 lbs / 800 kg

WC54[]

Main article: Dodge WC54

The WC54 Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Ambulance Dodge (G502) was produced as an ambulance, but a few were modified to serve as radio/telephone trucks with the US Signal Corps.

Length: 16 ft 3 in / 4,95 m
Height: 7 ft 6 in / 2,30 m
Weight: 5,920 lbs / 2 685 kg
Width: 6 ft 6 in / 1,98 m
Payload: 1,800 lbs / 816 kg

WC55[]

The WC55 Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Gun Motor Carriage Dodge (G502) was a modified WC52 designed to carry an M3A1 37mm antitank gun and shield mounted on its cargo bed; the WC55 and gun combination was designated M6 Fargo Gun Motor Carriage (GMC) with 37mm Anti-tank Gun (G121). 5,380 built, most later dismantled and returned to service as WC52 cargo trucks.

Length: 13 ft 11 in / 4,25 m
Height: 8 ft 2 in / 2,49 m to top of gun shield
Weight: 5,600 lbs / 2 540 kg
Width: 7 ft 2 in / 2,18 m
Payload: 80 rounds 37mm

WC56[]

The WC56 Truck, Command Reconnaissance, 3/4 ton, 4x4 w/o Winch Dodge (G502) was a command and reconnaissance vehicle akin to a large Willys Jeep. It did not prove popular as it was heavier and not as maneuverable as the Jeep, and its distinctive profile made it a target.

Length: 13 ft 10 in / 4,22 m
Height: 6 ft 9 in / 2,07 m
Weight: 5,335 lbs / 2 420 kg
Width: 6 ft 7 in / 2,00 m
Payload: 1,750 lbs / 800 kg

WC57[]

The WC57 Truck, Command Reconnaissance, 3/4 ton, 4x4 w/Winch Dodge (G502) was identical to the WC56 but fitted with a Braden MU2 5,000 lb / 2 268 kg capacity winch at the front bumper. 6,010 built.

Length: 14 ft 8 in / 4,46 m
Height: 6 ft 9 in / 2,07 m
Weight: 5,644 lbs / 2 560 kg
Width: 6 ft 7 in / 2,00 m
Payload: 1,750 lbs / 800 kg

WC58[]

The WC58 Truck, Radio, 3/4 ton, 4x4 w/Winch Dodge (G502) was identical to the WC57 but fitted with a scr radio set in front of the rear seat, and a 12-volt electrical system.

Length: 14 ft 7 in / 4.46 m
Height: 6 ft 9 in / 2.07 m
Weight: 5,335 lbs / 2 420 kg
Width: 6 ft 7 in / 2.00 m
Payload: 1,750 lbs / 800 kg

WC59[]

The WC59 Truck, Telephone Maintenance, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Dodge (G502) was designed to install and repair telephone lines. Based on the same chassis as the WC54, but with a wheelbase increased by 50 cm. The spare wheel was carried behind the seats, with a step ladder fitted to where the spare wheel would have been. 549 were built. The bed was known by the Signal Corps as the K-50 truck, and was fitted to both Dodge and Chevrolet chassis.

Length: 16 ft 0 in / 4,88 m
Height: 6 ft 9 in / 2,06 m
Weight: 5,357 lbs / 2 430 kg
Width: 6 ft 6 in / 1,98 m
Payload: 1,750 lbs / 800 kg

WC60[]

The WC60 Emergency Repair Chassis, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Dodge (G502) was a mobile workshop designed for field maintenance. It featured the same body as the WC54 but with tool trunks that were accessible from the outside. 296 built.

Length: 15 ft 6 in / 4.73 m
Height: 7 ft 5 in / 2.26 m
Weight: 5,952 lbs / 2 700 kg
Width: 6 ft 10 in / 2.08 m
Payload: 1,750 lbs / 800 kg

WC61[]

The WC61 Light Maintenance Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Dodge (G502) was designed to install and repair telephone lines. Replacement for the WC59, the WC61 had the step ladder fitted to the roof, the spare wheel was fitted behind the seats, and the tool trunks were accessible from the outside. 58 built. The US Signal Corps referred to these as the K-50B truck.

Length: 15 ft 6 in / 4,73 m
Height (without ladder): 7 ft 5 in / 2,26 m
Weight: 5,952 lbs / 2 700 kg
Width: 6 ft 10 in / 2,08 m
Payload: 1,750 lbs / 800 kg

WC62[]

The WC62 Truck, Cargo and Personnel Carrier, 1 1/2 ton, 6x6 w/o Winch Dodge (G507) Weapons Carrier was based on a lengthened WC51 with an extra axle added. 23,092 built (both WC62 and WC63 variants). One prototype produced as an armored car.^[6]

Length: 17 ft 11 in / 5.47 m
Height (with canvas cover): 7 ft 3 in / 2.21 m
Height (with top down): 5 ft 2 in / 1.57 m
Weight: 6,925 lbs / 3 141 kg
Width: 6 ft 11 in / 2.11 m
Payload: 3,300 lbs / 1500 kg

WC63[]

The WC63 Truck, Cargo and Personnel Carrier, 1 1/2 ton, 6x6 with Winch Dodge (G507) Weapons Carrier was based on a lengthened WC51 with an extra axle added. Identical to the WC62 but fitted with a Braden MU2 7,500 pound capacity winch.

Length: 18 ft 9 in / 5,72 m
Height (with canvas cover): 7 ft 3 in / 2,21 m
Height (with top down): 5 ft 2 in / 1,57 m
Weight: 7,175 lbs / 3 250 kg
Width: 6 ft 11 in / 2,10 m
Payload: 3,300 lbs / 1500 kg

WC64[]

The WC64 KD Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Ambulance Dodge (G502) was an ambulance based on the same chassis as the WC54 but with a knock-down body designed to increase the amount of vehicles that could be shipped at the same time. 3,500 were built between the beginning of 1945 and the end of the war.^[7]

Former operators[]

Austria

Austrian Army

Belgium

Belgian Army

Brazil

Used in Brazil by the Brazilian Army and in Europe by the Brazilian Expeditionary Force. Nicknamed Jipão.

France

Free French Forces, French Army

Greece

Greek Army and Greek Air Force

Iran

Iranian Army

Norway

Norwegian Army

Portugal

Portuguese Army, redesignated Dodge m/48, used during the Portuguese Colonial War

United Kingdom

Royal Army Medical Corps

United States

U.S Army, U.S. Army Medical Corps and U.S. Signal Corps

Soviet Union

Red Army by Lend-Lease during World War II

Switzerland

Swiss Army bought several hundred after World War II, mainly 3/4t, a few 1/2t and only ten 1 1/2t. WC54 ambulances served until 1960.^[8]

Gallery[]

References[]

Some parts of this article are translated from French and Portuguese Wikipedia, tables are from Italian Wikipedia.

Fred W. Crismon. US military wheeled vehicles. Victory WW2 Publishing Ltd. Minneapolis (MN-USA) (2001) ISBN 0-9700567-1-0
T. Richards and R.M. Clarke. Dodge WW2 military portfolio 1940-45. Brookland Books LTD (Surrey, UK) ISBN 1-85520-533-5

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 "Truck, 1/2 ton, 4x4, Dodge WC (G505)". Olive-drab.com. http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_dodge_g505_wc.php. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
↑ "Pages of Interest to 4x4ers: 4x4 History - Where It All Began". Dog-walker.us. http://www.dog-walker.us/4x4/4x4-204.htm. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
↑ "Dodge Military Trucks". Olive-drab.com. http://www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_www_dodge.php3. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
↑ T. Richards and R.M. Clarke, op. cit. pg 24-26
↑ "Dodge WC9 WC18 WC27 Truck, 1/2 ton Ambulance". Olive-drab.com. http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_wc9.php. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
↑ "Fargo 6x6 Armored Truck ndex". Warwheels.net. http://www.warwheels.net/FargoArmoredTruckINDEX.html. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
↑ "History". Pinodesign.nl. http://www.pinodesign.nl/dodge/history.htm. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
↑ "Swissmotor / Dodge". Swissmotor.com. http://www.swissmotor.com/20_artikel/001_050/0014.htm. Retrieved 2013-06-06.

General references[]

TM 9-2800 Standard Military Motor Vehicles. dated 1 sept. 1943 http://www.scribd.com/doc/140198120/TM-9-2800-1943-STANDARD-MILITARY-MOTOR-VEHICLES-1-SEPTEMBER-1943?in_collection=4255113
TM 9-2800 Military vehicles dated oct. 1947
TM 9-2800-1 Military vehicles dated february 1953: http://www.scribd.com/doc/183017787/TM-9-2800-1-1953-INCLUDING-C1-EN-C2-pdf
TM 9-808 http://www.scribd.com/doc/153243048/TM9-808-DODGE-3-4-TON-4-X-4-TRUCK
TM 9-810 http://www.scribd.com/doc/162668023/TM-9-810-DODGE-6-X-6-WC-62-and-WC-63-1945
SNL G657 Master Parts Book Dec. 1943

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dodge WC series.

The WW2 Dodge Motor Pool
Gordon's WW2 Army Trucks
A WC-52 Restoration Project
command-car.com - Dedicated to Dodge Command Car of WW2
WC-4 towing M-3 37mm antitank cannon
The Jeep Gets a Big Brother, November 1942, Popular Science early article introducing the American war public to the WC series

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Dodge WC series and the edit history here.

[olive-drab.com-1] 1.0 ^1.1 "Truck, 1/2 ton, 4x4, Dodge WC (G505)". Olive-drab.com. http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_dodge_g505_wc.php. Retrieved 2013-06-06.

[2] "Pages of Interest to 4x4ers: 4x4 History - Where It All Began". Dog-walker.us. http://www.dog-walker.us/4x4/4x4-204.htm. Retrieved 2013-06-06.

[3] "Dodge Military Trucks". Olive-drab.com. http://www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_www_dodge.php3. Retrieved 2013-06-06.

[4] T. Richards and R.M. Clarke, op. cit. pg 24-26

[5] "Dodge WC9 WC18 WC27 Truck, 1/2 ton Ambulance". Olive-drab.com. http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_wc9.php. Retrieved 2013-06-06.

[6] "Fargo 6x6 Armored Truck ndex". Warwheels.net. http://www.warwheels.net/FargoArmoredTruckINDEX.html. Retrieved 2013-06-06.

[7] "History". Pinodesign.nl. http://www.pinodesign.nl/dodge/history.htm. Retrieved 2013-06-06.

[8] "Swissmotor / Dodge". Swissmotor.com. http://www.swissmotor.com/20_artikel/001_050/0014.htm. Retrieved 2013-06-06.

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