Dodge WC question

[gordon]

I assumed that the standard tow hitch and bumperettes were still there, but on a 98" wheelbase chassis that spare is well behind that.

Of course if it was supplied as cab and chassis, the chassis could have been any of the standard lengths. A Maintenance truck chassis would have plenty of length for that setup.

[Lynn Eades]

Gordon,Are you saying that bodywork sits further back than a standard command car? (we are talking about Eduards non winch chassis?)
I thought the USA built stuff went out finished. I seem to remember the U.S. president offered the option the we (the allies) took them as they came or not at all?

[motto]

Eduard, what information do you have on the Dodge based ZIS version of the Command Car? Do you have any more information than you have disclosed?

Jan, I thought that my affliction was mine alone. Now that I find it's not I don't know whether to be pleased or disappointed.

David

[gordon]

I'm not sure there is more rear bodywork length than the standard Command Car Lynn, just not sure.

The standard Command and Weapons chassis was 98" wheelbase, and there was very little rear overhang. This bodywork looks like there is more of it so the spare wheel location is certainly further back than I'd expect to be able to be hung on the standard bumperette position.

As I mentioned though, it doesn't have to be a 98" wheelbase chassis.

[motto]

The wheelbase looks standard Command Car to me but appears to have a bit more overhang at the rear and the end of the body more vertical.

What is needed is a decent photo of the rear end. As stated, WC wheels are heavy and I doubt the spare is merely attached to the bodywork let alone the boot lid. If it is supported by some sort of frame secured to the chassis it should be readily visible as it would have to be somewhat beefy. Plus there would have to be a means to swing it down or aside to gain access to stowage.

David

[Eduard Sorokin]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

Eduard, I would suggest this particular Dodge WC51 is earlier production than the 1943 batch that your link describes... I'm no authority, but I think the Dodge in your first post is from the first half of 1942. This would suggest to me a different direction of delivery. What about the possibility of it going with the early Jeeps, MA's,GP's etc. that I have heard so many of, went to Russia.

This fact, that ZiS plant has made this Dodge conversion in 1943, does not mean, that this Dodge itself was produced in 1943 - vehicle could be produced earlier, of course. Supplies of WC to the USSR have begun in 1943, but there could to be vehicles from earlier batches.

Motto: Eduard, what information do you have on the Dodge based ZIS version of the Command Car? Do you have any more information than you have disclosed?

No more details known until today.

And please do not discuss about wheelbase - this is usual, ordinary WC51.

[Lynn Eades]

Eduard, All I was saying, was that this dodge must have been in an earlier delivery, and that it may have made its way in from western Europe.

[Eduard Sorokin]

It is very doubtful.

[Jan Mostek]

David, be pleased. The same habits, the same hobbies, it means the same people :-)
Best regards, Jan

[Lynn Eades]

Can some explain to me how those early jeeps, trucks etc. were sent to Russia.
What were the basic circumstances, and by what route etc.

[Jan Mostek]

Lynn, it is a theme for the book. I am not an expert, but there were three main ways: All the trucks were delivered under Lend Lease Act signed in Congres at 1941 (having signed this Act the USA in fact stopped it´s neutrality and joined the other Allieds against Hitler´s Germany). All the goods (perhaps with the exemption of planes) was delivered by convoys. Everything from locomotives over jeeps, uniforms and also gasoline or meat cans. There were three main ways, North, via UK, then over Arctic sea and Barents sea to ports of Archangels or Murmansk, where the goods was overloaded on trains, East way, from ports on US west coast around Kamchatka and Sakhalin to Vladivostok, then again overloaded on trains and continued on Siberian Railroad, and the South way, by ships to Persian Gulf then on trucks over Iran mountains to Teheran. It it very likely that fom Persian gulf the trucks were drived, not loaded. Best regards, Jan Mostek.

[motto]

The USSR was attacked by German (and Rumanian) forces in July 1941 and immediately found itself in dire peril. If the Lend/Lease act was also signed in 1941 there is no mystery that US vehicles of 1942 vintage were in Russian hands even if only for evaluation.

Logically, what eventually became a torrent of materiel flowing to the USSR started off as a trickle and quite likely earlier than generally thought.

Where was the photo of all those trucks taken Jan? There must be a thousand or more in that park. If 90,000 Studebakers were sent to the USSR this photo gives an inkling of the scale of the operation.

David

[Jan Mostek]

I do not know the location of a Study tanker. The semitrailer crash was taken somewhere in Iraq or Iran mountains, the big vehicle park picture was taken in russian town named Mozhaisk which is about 100km eastward from Moscow. Further details (dates etc) are unknown to me.Cheers, Jan

[Eduard Sorokin]

The Studebaker Tank truck is Russian BZ-35s Refuelling Truck.
Most probably, this particular truck was photographed, when it was in post-War use, because this truck have civilian pattern Registration plate on it's rear.

[Dusonn]

Hello,
I have just stumbled accross this thread and have another picture of the converted Dodge vehicle with better rear detail. The crew consists of col. Vladimir Prikryl, the commander of 2nd Czechoslovak airborne brigade in USSR. The picture was taken in 1944.

[Eduard Sorokin]

This is great find, Dušan ! Excellent !

I feel sure, Mr Jan Mostek will be glad to see this image.