Custom Dodge WC-53 or WC-52

[Threetoughtrucks]

Now that the Dodge 1 1/2 ton is out, who will be the first to cut one down to make a 3/4 ton Weapons Carrier.

Should be simple to remove the ring mount stand, cut body between rear wheels and take out a slice of the body. 3/4 ton only had four wheels. I can supply a spec sheet from the manual and pictures.

The 3/4 ton mounted a mg on a pedestal attached to the front of the bed, either a .30 cal or a .50 cal.

Come on guys, it would look great.

I would say it was easy to do, but that would be coming from a guy who crazy glues his fingers to his head while doing repairs and scratching his head.

TTT

[momaw nadon]

I was thinking the same thing. Was the 3/4 ton weapon carrier used more than the 1 1/2 ton? I think the WC-63 is too small to make a good convoy dio, IMO. I will be getting a few though. If you have any specs on WC-53 or 52 I would love to see them. Thanks
momaw nadon

[Threetoughtrucks]

Momaw:

You'll have specs in an hour.

TTT

[momaw nadon]

Thank TTT,
Plus the extra wheels from this custom might come in handly with another project.
momaw nadon

[Morian Miner]

TTT,

Could you send some specs my way as well? I've converted a command car into a psuedo-WC52, and have some spare parts to do a better conversion.

[Threetoughtrucks]

Morian:

No problem, give me your email or send it to me in a Private Message & you'll get the spec sheet.

TTT

[krieglok]

You could use the spare set of wheels to make an ammo trailer to tow behind the Sherman. The conversion would be relatively easy from the looks of it. Mostly cutting and refitting. It would be cool if this truck spurred 21st into making more trucks like the CCKW, M37 or even an M35. A five ton would be awsome in 1:18 as well.

TJ

[Threetoughtrucks]

TJ:

A CCKW in 1:18, a M-37 in 1:18, a five ton truck turned into a VN gun truck??

The mind boggles......

Is 21c listening???, is anybody out there listening?? Is anyone out there??


TTT

[krieglok]

"UGUGUH(with tons of drool).... Five ton Gun truck with Quad M2s"...Homer Simpson...

M37, M35, CCKW and M54(?) Five ton...

Yes, please, I will take two of each. I would even take a M211 as a fix in the meantime.

TJ/ MTANNJ

[exether_mega]

Not realy a truck but a M16 halftrack would be nice.
Also as we are talking truck, what about a Mack NO with a 155 Long Tom ?
And which CCKW ? With our without cab ?

Take care.

phil

[Threetoughtrucks]

I've been crying for an M-16 for a long time.

You're pushing a request for a NO Mack and a 155mm Long Tom. Can you imagine such a rig in 1:18......it would need a shelf all by itself. You might as well wish for an armored Dragon Wagon with 45ton trailer to pull around a Sherman or M-26 or captured King Tiger.

Dreams are nice. I'm gonna take a nap now and calm down. Breathe in, breathe out..............

TTT

[krieglok]

Some of the gun trucks from VietNam were equipped with simialar Quad M2s much like the ones used onthe M16 halftracks. Interesting crossover part possibilities for 21st. Hint hint nudge nudge.

As far as the choice of hard top or soft top CCKW? Yes. I will take two of each.

TJ

[momaw nadon]

You talk about cabs of the CCKW, but you also have wheel base? Long or short? I think a CCKW should have been done over the WC62, IMO. Granted the WC62 is great and all, but you can't beat the deuce and a half.

We can keep on going with the German counter parts the Opel Blitz or Mercedes-Benz LG63/L3000, right?
momaw nadon

[krieglok]

Yes a good question indeed. I would go with which ever version had more varients. The other consideration from a "modifiers" point of view is that you can make a long truck shorter not the otherway around (easily). The SWB looks better to me though.
A German counterpart would be nice. A WC63 instead of a CCKW? I dont know. It leads me back to the question as to the forces that move 21st Century to take certain paths of development. Like most toy/model makers, they do as they please since cost and eventual sale price is the major concern. It would be interesting if they did an actual survey, like a mailer in their product packaging, much like Armies in Plastic does. You may not get what you want right away, but the manufacturer would get a better scope on what their customers like and would buy.

TJ

[binder001]

Looking in on this thread leads me to several comments...

1) the WC62/63 6X6 was an "odd duck" variant used by Infantry Regiments to tow light artillery (from about late 1943-on). Rarely found in other outfits.

2) The 3/4 ton 4X4 was EVERYWHERE! This was the WW2 equivalent to a pick up. They show up in Infantry, Armor, Maintenance, Engineer, etc. Also used by the Army Air Forces and several Allies.

3) the 3/4 tonner could take a pedestal mount MG, but rarely do you see historical photos of them armed. Mostly used for support tasks.

4) on cabs, etc for the CCKW - the closed cab is earlier, but both saw active service in all theaters. The long wheelbase (CCKW-353) was more common than the short wheelbase (CCKW-352). The 352 was meant for certain tasks like towing artillery.

5) I agree that a 1:18 M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage would be very impressive!

[Threetoughtrucks]

Binder:

Don't forget the M-6. The 3/4 Weapons Carrier that mounted a 37mm anti-tank gun in the bed.

Now that would be great in 1:18, along with the cargo version.


TTT