Dodge 1/2-ton trucks in Commonwealth service

[Keith Webb]

Moderator's note: this thread was split off Nice Dodge pic

Four pics here:

ww2dodge_1.jpg ww2dodge_2.jpg ww2dodge_3.jpg

Edit: see https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/dodge_truck.htm for the source of these images

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Yes, they're off Dodgenut's site. The WC52 carries a 1947 West Sussex rego.

[dodgenut]

Aye Dodges feature in a number of places on the site!
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/dodgerestoration.htm

Rick

[cliff]

more like a WC26 carryall.

WC52 was the 3/4 ton weapons Carrier.

[gordon]

That panel van could be a WC11 half ton 4 x 4 panel, but it is more likely to be a WC42 half ton 4 x 4 radio panel, made specially for the Commonwealth.

Unfortunately the pics don't show enough detail of the distinguishing features - metal roof fill panel, roof mounted vent for the radio heat, and rear window blackout curtains.

I was lucky enough to get a good look round Rick's 1940 RAF aircrew bus before the restoration started, and look forward to seeing it again when he is done...

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/dodge...estoration.htm

Gordon

knows about Dodges

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by gordon

That panel van could be a WC11 half ton 4 x 4 panel, but it is more likely to be a WC42 half ton 4 x 4 radio panel, made specially for the Commonwealth.

Unfortunately the pics don't show enough detail of the distinguishing features - metal roof fill panel, roof mounted vent for the radio heat, and rear window blackout curtains.

On the internet I read:

“WC-11, WC-19, WC-42

Almost 1,400 panel van trucks, and panel van bodied radio communication cars. At first, regular panel van trucks were ordered: 642 units of WC-11, and 103 units of WC-19. The subsequent WC-42 panel vans were however furnished and equipped as radio communication cars. The 650 WC-42 radio panel vans almost outnumbered their bare transportation siblings, and they were also the only radio communication cars that Dodge built in a panel van body style in the entire VC and WC series range.

Almost half of production, 650 units, went to the British Empire under the U.S. Lend-Lease agreement.”

Attached a pic of a restored one:

8FD5C11D-FB35-44B0-A732-1882FC8A6076.jpeg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Half-ton Pick-up marked “CANOL 5182” which denotes it was used for the Canol Project. I understand many half-tonners were used there.

As I understand it, this project was funded and thus led by the USA, which furnished much of the equipment and personnel. Even though this truck was operated on Canadian soil, I don’t think it really qualifies for being in Commonwealth service.

Original caption reads "Men unloading the truck - plane nearby. Date: ca. July 1943. No place, unknown, or undetermined."
The "Men" are obviously RCAF personnel, but the truck is not an RCAF asset it seems.

a064693-v8.jpg

Source: https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Collec...Number=3586123