In Box Review of Max 1/35th Scale
U.S. Army WWII Dodge ¾ Ton WC-56,57 Command & Reconn. Truck
Item no. 3505-0800
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1975
Out of production
I paid $7.79 for my kit years ago.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1975
Out of production
I paid $7.79 for my kit years ago.
HISTORY:
The Dodge WC series (nicknamed "Beeps") is a prolific range of light 4WD and medium 6WD military utility trucks, produced by Chrysler under the Dodge and Fargo marques during World War II. Together with the 1⁄4-ton jeeps produced by Willys and Ford, the Dodge 1⁄2‑ton G-505 and 3⁄4‑ton G-502 trucks made up nearly all of the light 4WD trucks supplied to the U.S. military in WWII – with Dodge contributing some 337,500 4WD units[nb 5] (over half as many as the jeep).
Contrary to the versatility of the highly standardized jeep, which was mostly achieved through field modification, the Dodge WC‑series came in many different, purpose-built, but mechanically uniform variants from the factory, much akin to the later family of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles.
The WC series evolved out of, and was part of a more extended family of trucks, with great mechanical parts commonality, that included open- and closed-cab cargo, troops and weapons carriers, (radio) command, and reconnaissance cars, ambulances, carry-alls, panel vans, and mobile telephone installation and (emergency) field workshop trucks.
The Dodge WC series were essentially built in two generations. From 1940 to early 1942, almost 82,400 of the 1⁄2‑ton 4x4 Dodge trucks were built — initially called the VC series, but the great majority, from 1941, in the WC series, and in more variants. Contrary to what Dodge's nomenclature suggested, the 1941 WC models were a direct evolution of the 1940 VC models, retaining the U.S. Army's G-505 Ordnance Corps Supply Catalog number.
For 1942, the trucks bodies and chassis were largely redesigned – heavier frames and drivetrains uprated them to carry 3⁄4‑tons off-road. And widening their tracks, while greatly shortening the wheelbase on the main models, plus lowering the bodies' center of gravity, gave them a much more square stance, with a much better break-over angle and side-slope stability.
The trucks thus became the shorter G-502, 3⁄4‑ton, 4×4 Truck (Dodge), and from 1943 also the longer, stretched G-507, 11⁄2‑ton, 6x6 personnel and cargo truck (Dodge) — all while retaining Dodge WC model codes. Although the 3⁄4‑tons improvements meant substantial design changes, they did retain some 80% interchangeable components and service parts with the 1⁄2‑ton models— a vital Army requirement, for field maintenance and operability of the trucks.
Dodge was the U.S. Army's main supplier of 1⁄2‑ton trucks, and its sole supplier of both 3⁄4‑ton trucks and 11⁄2‑ton 6x6 trucks in World War II.[5] With over a quarter million units built through August 1945, the G-502 3⁄4‑tons were the most common variants in the WC‑series. After the war, Dodge developed the 3⁄4-ton WC‑series into the civilian 4×4 Dodge Power Wagon; and in 1951, the WCs were replaced by the very similar 3⁄4‑ton 4x4 Dodge M-series vehicles .
Though the majority of Dodges built were 'Weapons Carriers', "WC" was not abbreviated from this, but a regular Dodge model code – initially "W" for 1941, and "C" for a nominal half-ton payload rating.[nb 7] However, the "WC" model code was simply retained after 1941 — for both the 3⁄4-ton, as well as the 11⁄2‑ton rated 6x6 Dodges.
All in all, not counting mechanically related variants, the WC series alone involved 52 model versions (thirty 1⁄2‑ton 4×4, eight 1⁄2‑ton 4×2, twelve 3⁄4‑ton 4×4, and two 11⁄2‑ton 6×6 models). Creating vehicles of a common platform in such a variety of designs, with payloads ranging from 1⁄2‑ton to 11⁄2‑tons, had no equal in its time, and is seen as an extraordinary feat of the WWII American auto industry.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: 1⁄2-ton, 3⁄4-ton 4×4 truck, 11⁄2-ton 6×6 truck
Place of origin: Warren Truck Assembly, Michigan, United States
Wars: World War II, Korean War, Various post 1945 conflicts
Manufacturer: Dodge / Fargo, assembled at Lynch Road Assembly, Hamtramck, MI
Produced: 1940–1945
No. built: Total: 382,350 excl. variants
Consisting of: 1⁄2-ton 4×2 models, 1,542 units, All 4×4 Models, 337,600 units – across:, 82,390 1⁄2-ton units (1940–1942) and 255,195 3⁄4-ton units (1942–1945), 11⁄2-ton 6×6 Models, 43,224 units
Variants: D8A 1⁄2-ton, 4×4 (1941, Canada) – 3,000 units, D3/4 APT 3⁄4-ton, 4×4 (1945, Canada) – 11,750 units, VF-401 – VF-407 11⁄2-ton, 4×4 (1940) – 6,472 units, T-203B 11⁄2-ton, 4×4 (1941) – 1,500 units, WF-32 / G-618 11⁄2-ton, 4×2 (1942–1944, Iran) – 9,600 units
Specifications (WC-51 / WC-52:
Mass: 5,250 lb (2,380 kg) empty, (5,550 lb (2,520 kg) with winch)
Length: 166+7⁄8 in (424 cm), (176+1⁄2 in (448 cm) with winch)
Width: 82+3⁄4 in (210 cm)
Height: 81+7⁄8 in (208 cm)
Engine: Dodge T-214 of 92 hp (69 kW)
Payload capacity: 1,500 pounds (680 kg)
Transmission: 4 speed × 1 range
Suspension: Live beam axles on leaf springs
Ground clearance: 10+23⁄32 in (27.2 cm)
Fuel capacity: 30 US gal (114 L)
Operational range: 240 mi (386 km)
Maximum speed: 55 mph (89 km/h)
The Dodge WC series (nicknamed "Beeps") is a prolific range of light 4WD and medium 6WD military utility trucks, produced by Chrysler under the Dodge and Fargo marques during World War II. Together with the 1⁄4-ton jeeps produced by Willys and Ford, the Dodge 1⁄2‑ton G-505 and 3⁄4‑ton G-502 trucks made up nearly all of the light 4WD trucks supplied to the U.S. military in WWII – with Dodge contributing some 337,500 4WD units[nb 5] (over half as many as the jeep).
Contrary to the versatility of the highly standardized jeep, which was mostly achieved through field modification, the Dodge WC‑series came in many different, purpose-built, but mechanically uniform variants from the factory, much akin to the later family of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles.
The WC series evolved out of, and was part of a more extended family of trucks, with great mechanical parts commonality, that included open- and closed-cab cargo, troops and weapons carriers, (radio) command, and reconnaissance cars, ambulances, carry-alls, panel vans, and mobile telephone installation and (emergency) field workshop trucks.
The Dodge WC series were essentially built in two generations. From 1940 to early 1942, almost 82,400 of the 1⁄2‑ton 4x4 Dodge trucks were built — initially called the VC series, but the great majority, from 1941, in the WC series, and in more variants. Contrary to what Dodge's nomenclature suggested, the 1941 WC models were a direct evolution of the 1940 VC models, retaining the U.S. Army's G-505 Ordnance Corps Supply Catalog number.
For 1942, the trucks bodies and chassis were largely redesigned – heavier frames and drivetrains uprated them to carry 3⁄4‑tons off-road. And widening their tracks, while greatly shortening the wheelbase on the main models, plus lowering the bodies' center of gravity, gave them a much more square stance, with a much better break-over angle and side-slope stability.
The trucks thus became the shorter G-502, 3⁄4‑ton, 4×4 Truck (Dodge), and from 1943 also the longer, stretched G-507, 11⁄2‑ton, 6x6 personnel and cargo truck (Dodge) — all while retaining Dodge WC model codes. Although the 3⁄4‑tons improvements meant substantial design changes, they did retain some 80% interchangeable components and service parts with the 1⁄2‑ton models— a vital Army requirement, for field maintenance and operability of the trucks.
Dodge was the U.S. Army's main supplier of 1⁄2‑ton trucks, and its sole supplier of both 3⁄4‑ton trucks and 11⁄2‑ton 6x6 trucks in World War II.[5] With over a quarter million units built through August 1945, the G-502 3⁄4‑tons were the most common variants in the WC‑series. After the war, Dodge developed the 3⁄4-ton WC‑series into the civilian 4×4 Dodge Power Wagon; and in 1951, the WCs were replaced by the very similar 3⁄4‑ton 4x4 Dodge M-series vehicles .
Though the majority of Dodges built were 'Weapons Carriers', "WC" was not abbreviated from this, but a regular Dodge model code – initially "W" for 1941, and "C" for a nominal half-ton payload rating.[nb 7] However, the "WC" model code was simply retained after 1941 — for both the 3⁄4-ton, as well as the 11⁄2‑ton rated 6x6 Dodges.
All in all, not counting mechanically related variants, the WC series alone involved 52 model versions (thirty 1⁄2‑ton 4×4, eight 1⁄2‑ton 4×2, twelve 3⁄4‑ton 4×4, and two 11⁄2‑ton 6×6 models). Creating vehicles of a common platform in such a variety of designs, with payloads ranging from 1⁄2‑ton to 11⁄2‑tons, had no equal in its time, and is seen as an extraordinary feat of the WWII American auto industry.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: 1⁄2-ton, 3⁄4-ton 4×4 truck, 11⁄2-ton 6×6 truck
Place of origin: Warren Truck Assembly, Michigan, United States
Wars: World War II, Korean War, Various post 1945 conflicts
Manufacturer: Dodge / Fargo, assembled at Lynch Road Assembly, Hamtramck, MI
Produced: 1940–1945
No. built: Total: 382,350 excl. variants
Consisting of: 1⁄2-ton 4×2 models, 1,542 units, All 4×4 Models, 337,600 units – across:, 82,390 1⁄2-ton units (1940–1942) and 255,195 3⁄4-ton units (1942–1945), 11⁄2-ton 6×6 Models, 43,224 units
Variants: D8A 1⁄2-ton, 4×4 (1941, Canada) – 3,000 units, D3/4 APT 3⁄4-ton, 4×4 (1945, Canada) – 11,750 units, VF-401 – VF-407 11⁄2-ton, 4×4 (1940) – 6,472 units, T-203B 11⁄2-ton, 4×4 (1941) – 1,500 units, WF-32 / G-618 11⁄2-ton, 4×2 (1942–1944, Iran) – 9,600 units
Specifications (WC-51 / WC-52:
Mass: 5,250 lb (2,380 kg) empty, (5,550 lb (2,520 kg) with winch)
Length: 166+7⁄8 in (424 cm), (176+1⁄2 in (448 cm) with winch)
Width: 82+3⁄4 in (210 cm)
Height: 81+7⁄8 in (208 cm)
Engine: Dodge T-214 of 92 hp (69 kW)
Payload capacity: 1,500 pounds (680 kg)
Transmission: 4 speed × 1 range
Suspension: Live beam axles on leaf springs
Ground clearance: 10+23⁄32 in (27.2 cm)
Fuel capacity: 30 US gal (114 L)
Operational range: 240 mi (386 km)
Maximum speed: 55 mph (89 km/h)
THE KIT:
Max is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer, based in Japan. They make all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of 3 Dodge ¾ ton trucks on a grassy field.
They are all in overall olive-drab. The one in the foreground has a white star on its sides and rear. Low on the rear is white XXX on the left and white HQ-1 on the right. This is repeated on the rear bumper below.
There are 4 men in the car. They all wear khaki uniforms and steel helmets. The man in the driver’s seat is standing and standing. One man in the back seat is waving with his right arm at one of the other 2 Dodge trucks.
One of the other trucks is pulling a water tank two-wheeled trailer. It only shows a white star on its side.
The other truck also just shows a white star on its side.
Both trucks have their canvas roofs raised.
Beside them is a Sherman tank in overall olive-drab. No markings can be seen on it.
One side panel shows a color side view of the truck pulling the water tank trailer. It is overall olive-drab, like the one on the box art. However, no markings are shown and strangely the tires on it and the trailer are white and not black. This is followed by a paragraph all in Japanese.
Max is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer, based in Japan. They make all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of 3 Dodge ¾ ton trucks on a grassy field.
They are all in overall olive-drab. The one in the foreground has a white star on its sides and rear. Low on the rear is white XXX on the left and white HQ-1 on the right. This is repeated on the rear bumper below.
There are 4 men in the car. They all wear khaki uniforms and steel helmets. The man in the driver’s seat is standing and standing. One man in the back seat is waving with his right arm at one of the other 2 Dodge trucks.
One of the other trucks is pulling a water tank two-wheeled trailer. It only shows a white star on its side.
The other truck also just shows a white star on its side.
Both trucks have their canvas roofs raised.
Beside them is a Sherman tank in overall olive-drab. No markings can be seen on it.
One side panel shows a color side view of the truck pulling the water tank trailer. It is overall olive-drab, like the one on the box art. However, no markings are shown and strangely the tires on it and the trailer are white and not black. This is followed by a paragraph all in Japanese.
The other side-panel of the box shows 3 color box arts of other kits that Max manufactures: Item no. 3503, a ¾ Ton Weapons Carrier “Beep”, Item no. 3504, an M6 37mm Anti-tank Gun Carriage and Item no. 3506, a 1 ½ ton Personnel Carrier.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 6 olive-drab parts trees, a clear tree, the decal sheet and 3 metal rods in 2 sealed clear cello bags.
There are 2 instruction sheets that both accordion-fold out into 8 pages in 7 ¼” x 10 ¼” page format. Both are identical, except for the top of their first page.
One shows a black and white repeat of the box art. The other one shows a black and white photo of the model and the two-wheeled water-tank trailer made up
Both instructions are all in Japanese.
The bottom of page 1 shows 2 black and white photos of actual Dodge trucks viewed from the front.
Page 2 is the parts-trees illustrations, with a listing of the names of all the parts in Japanese.
Page 3 on through to page 7 gives a grand total of 11 assembly steps. Step 10 is for the trailer.
Text in the steps is all in Japanese.
Page 8 shows how to stretch sprue over a candle to make parts. How to sand tire bottoms to make them look like weight is on them and 2 black and white photos of an actual Dodge truck showing the headlight grills.
There is a third sheet in the kit, that is folded in the center to create 4 pages in the same size format as the instructions .
Page 1 shows 3 black and white photos of actual Dodge truck variants.
Page 2 shows 3 more black and white photos of variants. One photo shows a field with numerous trucks on it.
The sheet is all in Japanese, except for page 3 that has English captions below illustrations of 14 Dodge truck variants: a WC51 Weapons Carrier, a WC-53 Command Field Sedan, a WC-54 Ambulance, a WC56 Command & Reconn. Truck, a WC-58 Radio Truck, a WC-60 Emergency Repair Truck, a WC-64 Ambulance, a WC-52 weapons carrier with a wench, a WC-53 Carry-all, a WC-55 M6-37mm Gun Carriage, a WC57 command and recon. Truck with a wench, Awc-59-61 Telephone Maintenance truck, a WC-63 1 ½ ton Personnel & Cargo Truck with a wench and a WC-62 1 ½ ton personnel and Cargo truck.
Page 4 shows 5 more black and white photos of actual truck variants.
All but one of the parts-trees are alphabetized.
Olive-drab letter A tree holds: leaf springs, axles, grill, steering wheel, windshield frame, tools muffler etc. (44 parts)
This kit contains 6 olive-drab parts trees, a clear tree, the decal sheet and 3 metal rods in 2 sealed clear cello bags.
There are 2 instruction sheets that both accordion-fold out into 8 pages in 7 ¼” x 10 ¼” page format. Both are identical, except for the top of their first page.
One shows a black and white repeat of the box art. The other one shows a black and white photo of the model and the two-wheeled water-tank trailer made up
Both instructions are all in Japanese.
The bottom of page 1 shows 2 black and white photos of actual Dodge trucks viewed from the front.
Page 2 is the parts-trees illustrations, with a listing of the names of all the parts in Japanese.
Page 3 on through to page 7 gives a grand total of 11 assembly steps. Step 10 is for the trailer.
Text in the steps is all in Japanese.
Page 8 shows how to stretch sprue over a candle to make parts. How to sand tire bottoms to make them look like weight is on them and 2 black and white photos of an actual Dodge truck showing the headlight grills.
There is a third sheet in the kit, that is folded in the center to create 4 pages in the same size format as the instructions .
Page 1 shows 3 black and white photos of actual Dodge truck variants.
Page 2 shows 3 more black and white photos of variants. One photo shows a field with numerous trucks on it.
The sheet is all in Japanese, except for page 3 that has English captions below illustrations of 14 Dodge truck variants: a WC51 Weapons Carrier, a WC-53 Command Field Sedan, a WC-54 Ambulance, a WC56 Command & Reconn. Truck, a WC-58 Radio Truck, a WC-60 Emergency Repair Truck, a WC-64 Ambulance, a WC-52 weapons carrier with a wench, a WC-53 Carry-all, a WC-55 M6-37mm Gun Carriage, a WC57 command and recon. Truck with a wench, Awc-59-61 Telephone Maintenance truck, a WC-63 1 ½ ton Personnel & Cargo Truck with a wench and a WC-62 1 ½ ton personnel and Cargo truck.
Page 4 shows 5 more black and white photos of actual truck variants.
All but one of the parts-trees are alphabetized.
Olive-drab letter A tree holds: leaf springs, axles, grill, steering wheel, windshield frame, tools muffler etc. (44 parts)
Olive-drab letter B tree holds: wheels, jerry cans, seat cushions, grills etc. (46 parts)
There is no letter C tree.
There is no letter C tree.
Olive-drab letter D tree holds: a seated figure, leaf springs, chassis frame etc. (13 parts) Figure is divided into separate torso, arms and legs.
Olive-drab letter E tree holds: floor, sides, canvas roof, benches, a box that was loose from the tree etc. (22 pars)
Olive-drab letter F tree holds the parts for the water tank trailer (27 parts)
There is a clear tree for the windshield and three metal axles.
An un-alphabetized olive-drab tree holds two figures. One is divided into a separate torso, lower body and arms and a steel helmet. The second figure is whole bodied, with a separate right arm and steel helmet.(8 parts)
The decal sheet completes the kit contents.
The detail is very nice.
Recommended.
Recommended.