CCKW ID IS TRICKY
Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:05 am
There is a picture of a CCKW on the net that has the guys drooling and attempting to ID. Don't get too confident and try to figure out why a 42 CCKW has a Wood Cargo Body. This truck served the 58 Bomb Wing, a B-29 unit, in India 1944. Remember,all supplies had to be flown in to this unit in that part of India, that means CCKWs had to be in knocked down condition, and all may not have been reassembled as they were intended. This truck was part of a large 1942 contract of 59873 CCKWs, with some 300 being just Cab and Chassis. It depends upon the Aircraft that hauled the pieces. A C-47 may have had room for just two bare CCKW chassis, and many flights were needed to transport just a few trucks. The opportunity for mixed truck components was certainly a possibility.
Being an Aviation Historian, I am aware that B-29 Bombers destined for India flew over the Northeastern US in the winter of 43-44, the first mission was in June 44. Supplies for the 58th Bomb Wing were probably set aside starting a a year in advance. Fuel for the B-29s in India was flown in in specially converted B-24 Bombers called the C-109(C-one-oh BOOM). Some B-29s were also used to transport AvGas. They were stationed in the middle of nowhere. A lot of logistics were involved to get the 58th up and going in India in 1943-1944.
There are two excellent books that may touch on flying supplies into India, one is "It Began at Imphal" by John G. Martin (there are WWII vehicle scenes, but no CCKW detail) and "Flying the Hump" by Don Downie (it does have many color pictures, there may be an isolated CCKW). I have them in my library but due to the size of it I had to put some in storage. I would love to reread them to get insight.
There is a hint in the photo that the truck is 1942 early 43(contract may have taken until 43 to deliver) vintage and not later, who can tell what it is. The right answer gets one "attaboy".
Don't give up, give it a try.
Being an Aviation Historian, I am aware that B-29 Bombers destined for India flew over the Northeastern US in the winter of 43-44, the first mission was in June 44. Supplies for the 58th Bomb Wing were probably set aside starting a a year in advance. Fuel for the B-29s in India was flown in in specially converted B-24 Bombers called the C-109(C-one-oh BOOM). Some B-29s were also used to transport AvGas. They were stationed in the middle of nowhere. A lot of logistics were involved to get the 58th up and going in India in 1943-1944.
There are two excellent books that may touch on flying supplies into India, one is "It Began at Imphal" by John G. Martin (there are WWII vehicle scenes, but no CCKW detail) and "Flying the Hump" by Don Downie (it does have many color pictures, there may be an isolated CCKW). I have them in my library but due to the size of it I had to put some in storage. I would love to reread them to get insight.
There is a hint in the photo that the truck is 1942 early 43(contract may have taken until 43 to deliver) vintage and not later, who can tell what it is. The right answer gets one "attaboy".
Don't give up, give it a try.