subject: Dodge Wc Series - China Black Marble Texture - Marble Texture Manufacturer [print this page] History and design History and design
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. 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.
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.
Models
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.
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 1,000pounds (450kg).
WC3, WC4, WC13, WC21
Weapon carriers, two seater pickups with open cab designed to tow the M3 anti-tank cannon.
WC9, WC18, WC27
Dodge WC9
Entering production during 1941 to early 1942, 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 123inches (3.1m) wheelbase.
WC10, WC17, WC26, WC36, WC48
Carryall trucks with a nominal carrying capacity of a 1,000pounds (450kg).
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
WC51
A winchless weapon carrier, 123 541 vehicles were built.
Length: 4.24 m
Height (with cover): 2.17 m
Weight: 2 560kg
Width: 2.10 m
Height (without cover): 1.71 m
Payload: 800kg
WC52
Dodge WC 52
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 700kg
Width: 2,10 m
Height without cover: 1,71 m
Payload: 800kg
WC53
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 590kg
Width: 2,00 m
Payload: 800kg
WC54
Main article: Dodge WC54
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 680kg
Width: 1,98m
Payload: 820kg
WC55
WC55
The WC55, also known as the M6 Fargo, was an antitank GMC (Gun Motor Carriage) version equipped with a 37mm cannon. 5380 built.
Length: 4,25 m
Height: 2,49 m
Weight: 2 540kg
Width: 2,18m
Payload: 820kg
WC56
A recoinassance vehicle akin to a large Willys Jeep, it did not prove popular as it was heavier and not as manouvrable as the Jeep.
Length: 4,22 m
Height: 2,07 m
Weight: 2 420kg
Width: 2,00 m
Payload: 800kg
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 560kg
Width: 2,00 m
Payload: 800kg
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 420kg
Width: 2.00 m
Payload: 800kg
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 50cm. 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 430kg
Width: 1,98 m
Payload: 800kg
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 700kg
Width: 2.08 m
Payload: 800kg
WC61
WC61/K-50B
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 700kg
Width: 2,08 m
Payload: 800kg
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.
Length: 5.47 m
Height (with cover): 2.17 m
Weight: 3 120kg
Width: 2.10 m
Height (without cover): 1.57 m
Payload: 1500kg
WC63
WC63 1-1/2 TON 6X6
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 250kg
Width: 2,10 m
Height (without cover): 1,57 m
Payload: 1500kg
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.
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 Jipo.
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
WC62 armored car prototype
WC55 in a posed picture
WC54 in period Greek Airforce camouflage
French Army draisine, converted WC-51
See also
Austin K2
List of Dodge automobiles
G-numbers (G502)
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
^ a b http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_dodge_g505_wc.php
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