WC-52 Cargo Truck

SPECIFICATIONS
CREW: 1 - Driver and 9 Passengers
DIMENSIONS: Length 14 ft 9 in / Width 6 ft 11 in / Height 6 ft 10 in
NET WEIGHT: 5,645 lbs
FUEL CAPACITY: 30 gallons
PERFORMANCE: Max road speed 54 mph; Range 240 miles

A Tremendous Mobility Advantage
The U.S. Army had a tremendous advantage in mobility during World War II, partially due to Dodge WC-51 and WC-52 cargo trucks. More than 180,000 of these weapons carriers, as they were also known, were built between 1942 to 1945. They were used in all theaters of the war and supplied in large numbers to Allied forces. Other than the Braden MU-2 winch on the front of the WC-52, the two models were identical.
Wide Stance, Open Top, Canvas Tarp
The trucks had a wide stance and open top. The back sat eight fully-equipped troops, which at the time was the size of an infantry squad. If necessary both the driver and cargo compartments could be covered with a large canvas tarpaulin.
Equipped with Heavy Machine Guns to Escort the Red Ball
Though WC-51s and WC-52s were generally unarmed, some of them--including the one in this exhibit--were fitted with pedestal-mounted, .50 caliber machine guns. These armed vehicles served specific functions. For example, they escorted the Red Ball Express and other truck convoys to protect them from strafing by German fighters.