Olive-Drab.com Military HQ
What's New? | Olive-Drab Directory | Adv Search  
  Home >> Military Vehicles >> Charts >> Light Trucks >> Dodge G502 WC >> WC52

Vehicles Weapons History Uniforms/Gear Rations War Dogs Photos/Images Info/Intel FAQ Store Facebook Blog

Loading...

##############

Visit Olive-Drab.com's sister site for
1000s of free military vehicle photos!
O-D Blog on Facebook

WC52 Dodge Truck, Cargo, 3/4 ton, 4x4

The 3/4 ton G-502 series of Dodge WC trucks was introduced in late 1941, replacing the G505 1/2 ton trucks of the period 1939-1941. The most versitile of the 3/4 ton "Weapons Carriers" was the WC-51 or WC-52, two trucks that were identical except for the presence (WC-52) or absence (WC-51) of the front-bumper-mounted winch. Although called a "weapons carrier" it had folding troop seats down both sides of the cargo area and was primarily used to haul personnel and ammunition. Numerous variations were produced, including the M-6 Gun Motor Carriage (GMC) which mounted a 37mm Anti-tank Gun in the cargo bed of the WC-52 base vehicle.

The WC-52 was equipped with a Braden MU-2 winch, mounted in the center, front. The WC-52 frame was specially made, extended to accomodate the winch. The winch capacity was originally 5,000 lbs. with 3/8 in. wire rope, but was increased to 7,500 lbs. in October 1943. The higher capacity winch was equipped with 7/16 in. wire rope and a heavier shear pin.

WC52 Dodge Truck, Cargo, 3/4 ton, 4x4
WC52 Dodge Truck, Cargo, 3/4 ton, 4x4.

Today in WW II: 7 Feb 1944 Italian forces launch a counteroffensive against the Anzio beachhead.  More 
7 Feb 1945 Gen. Douglas MacArthur returns to Manila, Philippines.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

WC-52 Truck, Cargo, 3/4 ton, 4x4 w/Winch Dodge (G502)

The WC-52 Truck, Cargo, 3/4 ton, 4x4 was developed at a Dodge subsidiary, the Fargo Motor Corporation. Between 1942 and 1945, 59,114 WC-52s were built for U.S. use and shipment to allies, especially the Soviet Union where the trucks became quite common. They were utilized very broadly for many purposes in all branches of the U.S. military through World War II and the Korean War. The M-37 3/4 ton 4x4 Dodge truck gradually replaced the WC models during the mid- to late-1950s.

WC-52 3/4 ton 4x4 Dodge Cargo Truck Specifications

Net Weight5,945 lbs
Height (w/canvas top)6 ft, 10 in.
Height (top lowered)5 ft, 2 in.
Width6 ft, 11 in.
Length14 ft, 9 in.
Ground clearance10 5/8 in.
Wheelbase98 in.
Tires9.00 x 16, 8 ply
EngineDodge T214, 6 cyl, 230 cu. in. gasoline
TransmissionNew Process 4-speed
Transfer caseNew Process Single-speed
Horsepower76 bhp
Road Speed54 mph
Range240 mi

WC-52 Truck, Cargo, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Dodge (G502) loaded with ammunition.
WC-52 Truck, Cargo, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Dodge (G502) loaded with ammunition.

A pair of WC-52 3/4 ton 4x4 weapons carrier trucks packed for shipment at Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, Newport News, VA, 19 December 1944k
A pair of WC-52 3/4 ton 4x4 weapons carrier trucks packed for shipment at Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, Newport News, VA, 19 December 1944.

WC-52s waiting for shipment to the U.S. Army, at the Chrysler Corporation Dodge truck plant near Detroit, MI, August 1942.  Other Dodge WC-series vehicles are also visible in the lot.
WC-52s waiting for shipment to the U.S. Army, at the Chrysler Corporation Dodge truck plant near Detroit, MI, August 1942. Other Dodge WC-series vehicles are also visible in the lot.

Find at Amazon:  Military Issue equipment, clothing, boots, MREs, MOLLE gear and much more.

  Home >> Military Vehicles >> Charts >> Light Trucks >> Dodge G502 WC >> WC52 What's New? | Olive-Drab Directory | Adv Search