Small Scale Military Headquarters

I received the new Dodges today, the WC-63 looks good, but when you look close, this WC-63 truck has problems.

The WC-63 winch looks like it came from a CCKW, the whole bumper set-up looks like it is a CCKW. Including the grill guard. The engine is NOT a Dodge motor. The real WC-63 used exactly the same engine as the Command Car and this engine is totally different. As a matter of fact Dodge used the same engine block in their military and civilian power wagons until the 60's. It is distintive.

The engine looks like a GMC. Very curious....

Besides the spare tire being mounted backwards the big problem is the undercarriage. No details at all as compared to the Command Car. Compared to the CC, this looks like a TOY. Not up to our and 21c standards.

The new Command Car is exactly the oposite, beautiful detail out the kazoo.
The undercarriage even has bolts on the frame, the running gear looks like a pic of the real thing. The detail on the engine is perfect, right up to the radiator fan. It is a credit to 21c.

Only drawback is the figures (Gen Patten and driver) won't sit correctly in the CC. Gen Patton's little pit bull looking out the side makes up for it.

I'm not a figure guy but this new driver in the CC has a long jacket and when you position the legs the coart is flexible and moves like the real thing.

All in all, I like both vehicles but the CC rates four stars, while the WC-63 is only two.

I am suprised at 21c to produce this WC-63. Doesn't jive with the new 21c fan club info on cooperation with fans.

Won't stop me from getting a few though.

TTT

I have noticed the "toyishness" of the underside of the WC-63, but haven't thought it to be all that bad. All in all, I am pleased with this release and in many respects find it to be better than the Panzer IV. Glad you like the WC-57, though. That is an older vehicle - the first "Pattonized" version being released a couple of years ago just as 21c was being booted from TRU. Those didn't come with any figure and sold for as much as the current one with driver, Patton and dog figures are going. Naturally, the origional WC57, despite being a very nice vehicle, rotted on the shelves.

what would need to be done to the current command car to make it a correct Patton vehicle?

I always thought the original command car was more suitable for the General since it had the flags. I'm sastified with just purchasing one of the Patton figures and his trusty dog along with a driver and plopping them into the original command car. Viola! You have a Patton command car.

The current CC has the armor shield over the radiator, it has the siren on the bumper, the .50 cal on the running board and the luggage rack on the trunk. In addition on the back of the front seat is the railing to hold on to while generals reviewed their troops. All these together were Patton's personal ideas of what his CC should have.

What it lacks are Patton's huge air horns and his pendants on the fenders.

It is possible for Patton to have driven in a vehicle without any of these in a pinch but he would never drive in a vehicle without his little flags on the fenders showing his rank or personalized license plate showing the number of stars belonging to the occupant.

That was standard for general officers and when the vehicle was moved without the general officer in it, it is regulations that the flags be removed or else covered up.

Generals work hard to gain that rank and they are and were usually very touchy about the symbols of their rank.

All and all I really like these Dodges, it's just that after waiting all this time I was disapointed with the lack of 21c's usually great detail. The CC even has the battery box on the running board that opens correctly (no bus battery but the box is there). And the fan on the engine, that knocked me out. Those little touches on the CC are missing on the WC-63.

TTT

Hey Guys:
Did the new command car actually come with Pattons' Dog? The one's purchased from BCA did not have the dog, only the General and Driver. Am I missing something here?

Yes, the new CC will come with Patton's dog, the General himself and a driver. If you have the old CC you can outfit it with one of the 3 carded versions of Patton that are available. All the carded versions feature Patton and his dog. Hope that helps.

OOPs! Correction. The new CC will not come with his dog. You will have to buy one of the carded versions of Patton to get his trusty dog. Sorry about the mis info there.

Thanks, I thought I was missing something here. I already had the dog from the carded figure and was using him with Pappy Boyington and his Corsair.

Hey guys:
My new CC from BCA DID come with the dog. He was in a moulded section of the base under the car.

TTT

Thanks TTT:
One of 21st's little surprises. Never imagined that they would hide the little pooch under the truck. A cat maybe, but not the poor dog.