WC-64 KD Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Ambulance Dodge (G502)

The 3/4 ton WC-54 Ambulance was manufactured by Dodge from 1942 through 1945, with a closed body. It had a serious drawback in that its large, steel rear compartment took up a lot of space when the Ambulance was shipped overseas. To solve this, in January 1945 Dodge began manufacturing the WC-64 KD (for "Knock Down"), a new G502 ambulance shipped from the factory with a partially disassembled rear compartment.

The WC-64 had a 121 inch wheelbase (same as WC-54) with a reinforced frame. The open cab and lower part of the rear body were factory installed, while the wood frame, steel covered rear panels and roof were boxed for field installation. The WC-64 KD Ambulance had a hot-water space heater, a spotlight, and a fixed canvas cab top with a storage pocket for removable side windows.

These trucks were superceded in the 1950s by the Dodge M-43 ambulance of the M-37 3/4 ton truck series, after the Korean War.

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the WC-64 KD Ambulance at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup:

Wounded soldiers arrive at the 8225th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, via an ambulance of the 568th Medical Ambulance Co., US Eighth Army, September 1951. Ambulance appears to be Dodge WC-64 KD Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4.

WC-64 KD Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Ambulance Dodge (G502). In January 1945 Dodge began manufacturing the WC-64 KD (for Knock Down), a new G502 ambulance shipped from the factory with a partially disassembled rear compartment.

WC-64 KD Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Ambulance Dodge (G502), U.S. Medical Field Service School, Carlisle Barracks, PA. In January 1945 Dodge began manufacturing the WC-64 KD (Knock Down), a new G502 ambulance shipped from the factory with a partially disassembled rear compartment to save shipping space.

A litter patient being moved from a Bell H-13 Sioux helicopter to a waiting WC-64 ambulance at the airstrip, Camp Zama, Japan. 14 May 1955. Assisting are, PFC Percy J. Crochet, Cpl Mary Allen, and Sgt Manuel Aragon, all of the U.S. Army Hospital, 8169th AU.

Prototype unit, part of development of WC-64 KD Ambulance. This vehicle was based on the Dodge WC-52 3/4-ton 4x4, with a canvas Command Post setup in the cargo bed. Courtesy wc64.com website.

Dodge WC-64 KD Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Ambulance Photo Gallery

WC-64 KD Truck, 3/4 ton, 4x4 Ambulance Dodge (G502).