WC-52, a fire pump hauler

[Chariots of Fire]

Back in the WW II days the army used a 3/4 ton truck to pull a class 1000 fire pump trailer. I built the trailer previously and now it's time for the truck. It looks a bit like the front of a Dodge Power Wagon; in fact it is a predecessor of a P/W. This rig is being scratch built using different materials and methods of construction.

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This is what a WC-52 looks like. The WC-51 variant does not have a winch in the front. That is the only real difference.

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Using information from Tankograd documents I found photos of the Dodge T214 engine to build. The Danbury Mint 1941 Dodge pickup has the same engine so I took the diecast apart to get measurements of the engine in 1/25 scale and then build the masters for the block, oil pan and bell housing which came from a small Ford V-8 engine.

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The frame and tire dimensions came from other technical sources. I'm making two of these trucks; hence the two frames in the photo. Tires are 9.00 x 16 size and came from an Ertl diecast Power Wagon. Same for the wheels although ultimately they were modified. Castings were made for each.

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The engine is complete and installed in the frame. The first fan was made of plastic but the blades kept breaking off so plan B was executed by making a fan pattern, taping it to a piece of brass sheet and cutting it out. Once cut out the blades were given a slight twist with a pair of pliers. Looks a lot better than the previous plastic version. Springs are brass strips soldered together at the ends. Brass tubing was soldered to each end for mounting on the spring brackets.
I'll post some other photos as I go along. Much more has been done since these were taken but they will come in a later post.

[Chariots of Fire]

Work continues on the WC with some additional detailing of the chassis and front end.

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Springs have been mounted to the axles, first with some shims and then with "U" bolts of brass wire. The front end is steerable.

[Chariots of Fire]

Work has continued on the project with the construction of the hood, front fenders and radiator. The cowl has also been made since all of these things depend on good location and paying attention to the overall fit.

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In this photo the body has also been started with 0.030" sheet plastic. This truck is a bit strange as the width of the truck is about 83" while the wheel track, both front and rear is only 62". There's quite a bit of overhang and I'm wondering if at one time the Army thought of making this a dual tire rig for the back end. Never saw any photos of it in that configuration, though.
The fenders are molded resin castings made from Ren Shape masters. The hood is thin brass sheet with small brass hinges soldered in place. In this photo only the top of the hood is finished. You can see the color of the Ren Shape in the top of the cowl and top of the radiator shell. Brass strip stock and wire stock make up the grill guard.

[Rich]

Starting to take shape!! Thank you for sharing the build here. I enjoy seeing your creations.

[Chariots of Fire]

Progress "is our most important product" so here are a few more pix of the project.

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The hood is done with the exception of drilling some holes in the bottom for latches. Square brass tube stock was used for the canopy ribs on the body. One size larger was used for the stake pockets for them to fit in. Experimenting with making the canopy, I cut a piece of kleenex type tissue and then painted it with a solution of water and white glue allowing it to dry over night. It stiffened up quite well.

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I painted the canopy with Tamiya green olive drab and then worked in some weathering powders around the edges. The windshield frame was made of brass tubing for the outside and brass angle stock for the inner part that holds the glass. It folds down over the hood where I still have to make the pads it sits on and some "T" handles to hold it in place.

[Chariots of Fire]

Continuing to work on the project and here is where it sits today. Basic paint work is done and now it's mostly details. Headlights, blackout light and small marker lights were installed on the fenders. The fenders, cowl and floorboards are now secured to the frame. The body is still loose so I can finish up some details on it before putting it back in place. Cab interior is also finished with levers, pedals, gage cluster, etc.

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[Hazmat]

I‘m always impressed by your outstanding, exceptional work, simply amazing!!!!

[Chariots of Fire]

Here's where the project is as of today. The winch and bumper finally got installed. Took a bit of fiddling to get things so they looked right. Some markings for the hood and bumper and it will be almost finished.

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[Chariots of Fire]

Here's a look at the dashboard. Not much left to do now. Some decals for the unit number, registration number and a few stars. Got to wait for some replacement printer cartridges, though before they can be done.

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[Chariots of Fire]

The model is finished and will now take its place of honor in the home of a WW II vet who served in a fire fighting platoon from 1943 to 1945. He has the Class 1000 fire pump trailer to hitch up to it.

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