WC-51 in Korea.

[Garry]

Hi All,

I have just bought a December 44 WC-51 and I would like to restore it to represent a WC with the US Army in Korea in 1951/52. I would be greatful for any info on how a WC in Korea would differ from a WC in WWII,eg heaters etc.

Thanks in advance

Garry.

[Jim M]

Have seen many pictures of WC in Korea in the pages of the publication of the MVPA.
Other than that, have not seen much beyond that. If I can find the issues that have pictures in them, I will let you know.

Jim M

[Ugg]

Hi Garry:

From my limited understanding, there is very little if any difference in the vehicles. Korea was a surprise to US forces/leadership, and they were basically caught with their pants down. Most of the equipment used was from stockpiles they had already in the Pacific, from when they were planning on invading Japan. Little, if anything was done to them before they hit Korea. If major repairs were needed, they were done in Japan, but mostly once they got to their units any repairs/changes were done.

Later

[rgus]

Yep they were pulled out of any available stock and sent with the troops. I think a lot were sent to Japan for work before they hit the front. Can you imagine the mess. Most of them probably didn't run right or at all. Old gas, setting for years etc etc. My WC-52 has a steering box that has a rebuild tag from Japan in 52. The cold weather stuff tops, heaters etc came later, mostly with the M series. I talked with one vet that said it was so cold where he was the motor Sargent would have to drain the oil out of the motors and take it inside next to the heaters to have any hope of starting them in the AM. ( obviously non-combat )

[Garry]

Thanks guys,all good info. I intend to have it representing a truck of the 7th Cavalry in 1950.

Garry.

[kaegi]

Have you ever seen an Arctic Cab for WC 51/52? They were all built during the Korean War. I haven't seen any pics of WC s fitted with an arctic cab in Korea but guess they may have sent some over there.

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/865/wc5152029rm3.jpg

[Guest]

Let me try pic again

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/865/wc5152029rm3.jpg

[rgus]

I have heard about the illusive " Arctic Top" but to this day I have never seen a picture and documentation that proves it was indeed a military top designed and produced for the Korean War. Not saying they don't or didn't exist, just have never been offered a TM number or proof that they do.

[Ugg]

rgus:

Just like the "Rhino" attachment on the Sherman tanks after D Day.

Later

[Brent]

http://www.transchool.eustis.army.mil/M ... ighway.htm

Just scroll down to Weapons Carrier pics. Good shots of WCs.

I met a few vets who serviced the WC51/52 during Korean War. Very common and many attached A frame to winch bumper on WC52s and created small cranes which were handy as cherry-pickers or for lifting large ammo crates. You can see from the shots on the link that although B&W the color is clearly darker probably closer to the color of the M series jeeps and Dodges of that Era. Please share what you find out.

Brent

[Ugg]

Brent:

Boy, does that bring back memories. I was stationed at Ft Useless while waiting to end my short but illustrious military career.

Later

[rgus]

Do you see those 3/4 ton WC's? That WC51 looks brand new. It is a late one that I am sure never made it to combat in WW2 but did end up in Korea.

[DAVE AUSTIN]

I mean, this chart says the wc52 weighs 7350 lbs!!

(see below taken right from the web page)

Is that true?

i was under the impression a 3/4 ton with winch weighed about 5300 or so.

?????

-------------------------------------------------------

Length with winch: 14 ft, 8-1/2 in

Width: 6 ft, 11 in

Height: 6 ft, 10 in

With top lowered: 5 ft, 2 in

Weight with winch: 7.350 lbs

Ground clearance: 10-5/8 in

Wheelbase: 98 in

Tires: 9.00 x 16, 8 ply