1940-1949

Dodge WC series

Origin: The Dodge WC series was a range of light military trucks produced by Dodge during World War II. The series included weapon carriers, telephone installation trucks, ambulances, reconnaissance vehicles, mobile workshops and command cars. Dodge produced its first prototypes of dedicated military trucks in late 1939: the 1/2 ton 4x4 VC series. Production of the VC series started in 1940. At the outset of World War II, Dodge produced the G-505 WC ½ ton series of military light trucks in 38 individual models, thousands of some models were produced, while only a few of some others were made. The WC ½ ton trucks replaced the 1940 VC-1 to VC-6 ½ton Dodge trucks which were also part of the G505 series. 79,771 of the ½ ton trucks were produced during late 1940–1942 under War Department contracts. WC models 1 to 50 were part of the 1/2 ton range and were 80% interchangeable in service parts with the later 3/4 ton models.

Purpose: The G505 family of 1/2 ton, 4x4 WC trucks built by Dodge contained 38 individual models, some produced by the thousands and other models with only a few ever manufactured. The WC 1/2 ton trucks replaced the 1940 VC-1 to VC-6 1/2 ton Dodge trucks, also contained in the G505 series. All of the G505 WC half-ton 4x4 vehicles were produced during 1941-1942 under War Department contracts, for a total of 79,771 trucks. While very successful, the 1/2 ton WC trucks were superseded in 1942 by the 3/4 ton G502 WC trucks, also from Dodge. The 1/2 ton WC G505 trucks remained in use to the end of World War II, 80% interchangeable in service parts with the 3/4 ton models. The Dodge 1/2 ton model numbers range from WC-1 to WC-50 with differences in body type, engine, winch provisioning, and other details as shown in the table. For photos and more information on the specific truck, click on the link in the table. Although often put forward as the explanation, WC does not stand for "weapons carrier." "WC" was a Dodge model code: W for 1941 (or later) plus C for half-ton rating. The "C" code was retained for the 3/4 ton and 1 1/2 ton Dodges, an inconsistency in the codes.

Value: Dodge since inception in 1914 made trucks, this series of trucks was very famous especially during World War 2 as so many countries used it, these countries included U.S.A, Switzerland, United Kingdom etc. This truck was used for various purposes such as weapon carriers, ambulances etc.

Limitation: This truck doesn’t tell us the effect of it during ww2, how did it change the war, how were truck useful in the war