Why the open cab?

RANGER · Post by **RANGER** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:38 am

The CCKW open Cab was developed in mid 1942 to "improve low silhouette, to afford to the occupants, unobstructed visibility for better observation of strafing planes, and to provide for more effective use of AA guns on ring mounts".

It was not developed to conserve metal, it actually is of heavier guage steel than the closed cab and weighs more.
Other trucks shared some open cab components with the CCKW, Studebaker and Kenworth, for example.

There are some who will continue to claim the Open Cabs were developed to conserve steel, but they have not done their homework.

NOTE:
The above quotation is from WWII Ordnance Dept records.

Enigma · Post by **Enigma** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 2:46 pm

Wasn't it also so the glass could be coverd to avoid sun reflection which would be visible for miles away?

RANGER · Post by **RANGER** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:36 pm

The Studebaker Open Cab topoic needs a little more study, as 3 different truck manufacturers ended up with similar open cabs.
Anyone know the make of the other truck?
The Open Cab was developed under Quartermaster Corps responsibility.

42cckw · Post by **42cckw** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:47 pm

H i Ranger
Would it be International M5-H6 ,Thats what the Navy and Marines used as the Marines prefered open cabs.

RANGER · Post by **RANGER** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:58 pm

Perhaps I should have been more specific, and and stated that the cabs shared many of the same parts.

IH shared the same concept, but the Navy did not develop all of their combat vehicles in conjunction with Ordnance. This is off the subject I have never noticed an M5H6 with a ring mount.

Hint, it was a large 6X6.

42cckw · Post by **42cckw** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:17 am

The only other truck that comes to mind is the Diamond T, it had ring mounts.

RANGER · Post by **RANGER** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:24 am

Think bigger. Note that the Diamond T and IH M5H6 have metal lower door halves. The 3rd truck has a cab with identical features to CCKW and Studebaker/Reo.

Jim, you are a good student, and will receive an award.
Go to page 313, TM9-2800 October 1947.

Robbo · Post by **Robbo** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:23 am

The biggest Mack had a slightly similar open cab as I recall also one model of the fairly rare FWD trucks had a similar open cab.

The FWD's had some unusual features and were not so much used by the US - many went to Allies under Lend-Lease. Not so long ago, I saw a small mountain of NOS FWD transfer cases and axles bulldozed in to a scrap pile going to be melted down. The bulldozer blade had cracked open one transfer to reveal the apprx 9 inch wide roller chain used in these. No one wanted them so they were being sent to China for scrap.