Dodge WC series

Dodge WC series
Manufacturer	Dodge
Production	1940–1945
Class	Military vehicle
Layout	Front engine, four-wheel drive / six-wheel drive

The Dodge WC series was a range of light military trucks produced by Dodge during WWII. 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 3/4 ton and 1 1/2 ton 6x6 Dodges.^[1]

History and design[]

Dodge Pickup 1936 — 1936 Dodge pickup showing its influence on the military models

Ever since the beginning of its history in 1914, Dodge has offered light truck models to interested buyers. For the first few years, these were based largely on the existing passenger cars, but eventually gained their own chassis and body designs as the market matured. 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 WW II, Dodge produced the G-505 WC 1/2 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 1/2 ton trucks replaced the 1940 VC-1 to VC-6 1/2 ton Dodge trucks which were also part of the G505 series. 79,771 of the 1/2 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: 4x4
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 3/4 ton 4x4 trucks were first introduced in late 1941. Standard vehicles in the 3/4 ton 4x4 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

Closed cab, two seater pickups with a nominal carrying capacity of a 1,000 pounds (450 kg).

WC3, WC4, WC13, WC21

Weapon carriers, two seater pickups with open cab designed to tow the M3 anti-tank cannon.

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 inches (3.1 m) wheelbase.

WC10, WC17, WC26, WC36, WC48

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

WC11, WC19, WC42

Panel trucks carrying radio and communication equipment, only built for export.

WC6, WC7, WC8, WC15, WC16, WC23, WC24, WC25

Command cars.

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

A winchless weapon carrier, 123 541 vehicles were built.

Length : 4.24 m
Height (with cover) : 2.17 m
Weight : 2 560 kg
Width : 2.10 m
Height (without cover) : 1.71 m
Payload : 800 kg

WC52

Identical to the WC51, but fitted with a winch. (for transporting newer 57mm Gun M1 antitank gun and crew)

Length : 4,48 m
Height with cover : 2,17 m
Weight : 2 700 kg
Width : 2,10 m
Height without cover : 1,71 m
Payload : 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 built.

Length : 4,73 m
Height : 2,06 m
Weight : 2 590 kg
Width : 2,00 m
Payload : 800 kg

WC54: Main article: Dodge WC54

The WC54 was mainly produced as an ambulance, but a few were modified to serve as radio/telephone trucks with the US Signal Corps.

Length : 4,95 m
Height : 2,30 m
weight : 2 680 kg
Width : 1,98m
Payload : 820 kg

WC55

The WC55, also known as the M6 Fargo, was an antitank GMC (Gun Motor Carriage) version equipped with a 37 mm cannon. 5380 built.

Length : 4,25 m
Height : 2,49 m
Weight : 2 540 kg
Width : 2,18m
Payload : 820 kg

WC56

A reconnaissance vehicle akin to a large Willys Jeep, it did not prove popular as it was heavier and not as maneuverable as the Jeep.

Length : 4,22 m
Height : 2,07 m
Weight : 2 420 kg
Width : 2,00 m
Payload : 800 kg

WC57

A command car, identical to the WC56 but fitted with a winch. 6010 built.

Length : 4,46 m
Height : 2,07 m
Weight : 2 560 kg
Width : 2,00 m
Payload : 800 kg

WC58

A command car, identical to the WC56 but fitted with a radio and 12 Volt electrics. No winch was fitted.

Length : 4.46 m
Height : 2.07 m
Weight : 2 420 kg
Width : 2.00 m
Payload : 800 kg

WC59

The WC59 was a signals truck, 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 : 4,88 m
Height : 2,06 m
Weight : 2 430 kg
Width : 1,98 m
Payload : 800 kg

WC60

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 : 4.73 m
Height : 2.26 m
Weight : 2 700 kg
Width : 2.08 m
Payload : 800 kg

WC61

The WC61 was a signals truck, designed to install and repair telephone lines. Differently from the WC59, the step ladder was fitted to the roof. The spare wheel was fitted behind the seats, while the tool trunks were accessible from the outside. 58 built. The signal Corps referred to these as the K-50B truck.

Length : 4,73 m
Height (without ladder) : 2,26 m
Weight : 2 700 kg
Width : 2,08 m
Payload : 800 kg

WC62

A 6x6 weapons carrier, based on the WC51 but with a lengthened chassis and an extra axle added. 23092 built (WC62 and WC63 variants). One prototype produced as an armored car.^[6]

Length : 5.47 m
Height (with cover) : 2.17 m
Weight : 3 120 kg
Width : 2.10 m
Height (without cover) : 1.57 m
Payload : 1500 kg

WC63

A 6x6 weapons carrier, based on the WC51 but with a lengthened chassis and an extra axle added. Identical to the WC62 but fitted with a winch.

Length : 5,72 m
Height (with cover) : 2,17 m
Weight : 3 250 kg
Width : 2,10 m
Height (without cover) : 1,57 m
Payload : 1500 kg

WC64

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.

[[File:|22x20px|border |alt=France|link=France]]France

Free French Forces, French Army

Greece

Greek Army and Greek Air Force

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

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. Minneaspolis (MN-USA) (2001) ISBN 0-970056-71-0
T. Richards and R.M. Clarke. Dodge WW2 military portfolio 1940-45. Brookland Books LTD (Surrey, UK) ISBN 1-85520-5535

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_dodge_g505_wc.php
↑ http://www.dog-walker.us/4x4/4x4-204.htm
↑ http://www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_www_dodge.php3
↑ T. Richards and R.M. Clarke, op. cit. pg 24-26
↑ http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_wc9.php
↑ http://www.warwheels.net/FargoArmoredTruckINDEX.html
↑ http://www.pinodesign.nl/dodge/history.htm

General References[]

TM 9-2800 Standard Military Motor Vehicles. dated 1 sept. 1943
TM 9-2800 Military vehicles dated oct. 1947
TM 9-2800-1 Military vehicles dated 1953
TM 9-808 http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref/TM/PDFs/TM_9_808.PDF
SNL G657 Master Parts Book Dec. 1943

External links[]

This page uses some content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Dodge WC series. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons by Attribution License and/or GNU Free Documentation License. Please check page history for when the original article was copied to Wikia

[olive-drab.com-1] 1.0 ^1.1 http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_dodge_g505_wc.php

[2] ttp://www.dog-walker.us/4x4/4x4-204.htm

[3] ttp://www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_www_dodge.php3

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

[5] ttp://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_wc9.php

[6] ttp://www.warwheels.net/FargoArmoredTruckINDEX.html

[7] ttp://www.pinodesign.nl/dodge/history.htm

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