The Living History Group Motor Pool

Willys Model MB	Ford Model GPW	Hotchkiss Model M201

DODGE TRUCKS Moving up from the 1/4 ton Jeep we have our medium transport, a pair of Dodge trucks, both from the early period of the war. The group has a WC21 1/2 Ton, pictured on the right, and a WC53 3/4 Ton CarryAll, pictured left.
History The Dodge series of ½ ton and ¾ ton vehicles were the mainstay of the US and allied medium weight vehicles, which provided just about every conceivable vehicle configuration from cross country staff cars , ambulances, weapons platforms, troop carriers to maintenance and repair vehicles. In very simple terms the ½ ton series were manufactured before the USA entered the war and can readily be identified by their rounded front bonnet grille….the later ¾ ton models have a more pronounced flat fronted appearance and much larger wheels and running gear. ½ ton and ¾ ton designations, denoted the vehicles payload capacity, not the weight of the actual vehicle which is considerably more, weighing in at over 2tons. These vehicles are powered by a Dodge six cylinder Gasoline engine, and are rated at 55Mph tops. The WC53 CarryAll Sometime in the 1930's someone used the term 'Carryall' to describe a vehicle that had previously been just a 'station wagon' Most of the major US manufacturers of the time, notably Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, and International, produced these wooden bodied vehicles on their ordinary car chassis. Although Chevrolet and International produced 4 x 2 units for the US Government during the WW2 period, the quantity manufacturer was the Dodge Brothers Division of Chrysler Corporation, who produced not only the 4 x 2 half ton vehicle but also the 4 x 4 half and three quarter ton type. In 1939 Dodge opened the new facility at Mound Road, Detroit and it is there that all the military carryalls were made. The WC53 vehicle shares the common mechanical components of the WC51 Weapons carrier, without winch, and the WC52 With Winch. The 4x4 drive train gearbox, transfer case and transmission is exactly the same, along with the T214 Engine. Unlike the WC51/52 vehicles however, the WC53 was manufactured in numbers less than 8500, as opposed to over 200,000 WC51/52 Weapons carriers! The main observation differences between the 3/4ton WC53 series and the its predecessor ½ ton range is the position for the spare wheel , which is mounted on the drivers "LHS" side, and forward towards the front wing- due to the larger size of the 3//4Ton drive train, and hence larger wheel size, the drivers door cannot be opened with the spare wheel in place, hence driver and passengers alike must enter and exit via the "RHS" passenger door. When compared to the earlier 1/2Ton variants, which mount the spare wheel on the "RHS runner, towards the rear wing of the vehicle, which enables the passenger side door to be opened, hence both drivers doors and passenger side doors can be utilised on the ½ ton vehicles due to the smaller size of the wheel and its positioning, further to the rear of the vehicle. The WC21 Information to follow. The WC51 Weapons Carrier This truck was designed for all arms and services to be used to transport weapons, tools and equipment. The commercial pick up type body has a removable canvas top mounted on three bows. Troop seats are designed into the body also. There is no driver's cab, instead the vehicle has a seat box upon which is mounted two bucket seats. the crew compartment is served by a canvas roof, an like the Jeep the windshield can be folded flat. The vehicle can be fitted with a power winch, redesignating it as a WC52.
Technical Specification 3/4 Ton Series
Physical Characteristics (WC51): Weight (Gross) Length Width Height - with top up Ground Clearance Wheelbase Tires    (mud and snow)	7,050 lbs 13 ft, 10 7/8 ins. 6 ft, 10 3/4 ins. 6 ft, 9 7/8 ins. 10 5/8 ins. 98 ins. 9.00 x 16, 8 ply	Performance : Maximum speed on level  Maximum grade ability (WC51) Angle of approach Angle of departure (WC51) Fording depth Fuel capacity Range (approx) Payload    (inc. personnel) (WC51)	54 m.p.h. 60% 53 Degrees. 31 Degrees. 34 ins. 30 Gallons. 240 Miles. 1,800 lbs.	Engine : Type No. of cylinders Fuel (gasoline) Max. Torque	In Line, liquid cooled. 4 70 Octane 176 lb.-ft. at 1000 r.p.m.

WC53 3/4 Ton CarryAll	WC21 1/2 Ton
WC51 3/4 Ton Weapons Carrier

TANKS The group has added some serious hardware to the motor pool in 2004. An associate member has allowed the group use of his M5 "Stuart" Light Tank, expanding the range of impressions to include the 70th Tank Battalion. The 70th was one a number of independent battalions assigned to infantry, as opposed to armored, divisions throughtout WW2. Tanks of the 70th supported the 8th Infantry Regiment assaulting Utah Beach on D-Day and its tanks were among the first armored vehicles to push into France. Like many M5's this example had its gun and turret removed when decomissioned. Civilian owners have fabricated a new turret and gun as well as returning many of the ancillery equipment to the hull. the mascot of the 70th Tank battalion was one "Joe Peckerwood", a turtle astride the planet carrying a 37mm shell with the motto Soixante-Dix across his chest. This was painted on the hulls of the battalions vehicles to aid identification. A picture of an M3 DD Drive Sherman of the Battalion showing the mascot can be seen on Page 160 of the book "Spearheading D-Day" by Johnathan Gawne.
History The Light Tank, M5, was standadised in February 1942 but was essentially already obsolete when compared to the tanks of the German army in Europe. The M5 was a modification of the M3A1, which provided twin Cadillac engines and Hydra-Matic trasmissions giving automatic gear selection. The hull evolved from a riveted construction to one that was welded, homogenous armour plate with a reinforced front plate. the turret was also a welded affair and was a power operated basket type with the traverse motor underneath giving more room in the fighting compartment. The turret could be traversed through 360 degrees either under power or by hand. The vehicle had dual controls with four escape hatches, one for each member of the crew, periscoped for the driver, assistant driver and commander as well as a periscopic gun sight.
Technical Specification
Physical Characteristics : Crew Weight (Gross) Length Width Height - to cetre line of bore Ground Clearance Ground Contact Length	4 33,000 lb 14ft., 2 3/4 ins. 7ft., 4 1/4 ins. 6ft., 5 3/8 ins. 13 3/4 ins. 117 ins.	Performance : Maximum speed on level  Maximum Grade Ability Trench Crossing Ability Vertical Obstacle Ability Fording depth Fuel capacity Range (approx)	36 m.p.h 60% 5ft., 4 ins. 18 ins. 36 ins. 89 Gals. 100 Miles.	Engine : Make and Model Type No. of cylinders Fuel (gasoline) Max. Torque	Cadillac, Series 42 Dual, V-8, L.C. 16 70 and 80 Octane 488 il-ft. at 1,200 r.p.m
Armament :
1 x 37mm Gun, M6 1 x Cal. .30 Browning Machine Gun, M1919A5 (fixed) in combination mount, M23, in turret 1 x Cal. .30 Browning Machine Gun, M1919A4 (flexible) in bow 1 x Cal. .30 Browning Machine Gun, M1919A4 (flexible) anti-aircraft on the turret 1 x Tripod Mount, Cal. .30, M2 1 x cal. .45 Sub-machine Gun for the crew