What was the original colour of the DUKW propeller?

General Discussion about the WW2 DUKW. Technical aspects should be discussed the the CCKW Tech forum. Forsale/Wanted should be addressed in the CCKW Forsale or Wanted catagory
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Crusoeman
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What was the original colour of the DUKW propeller?

Post by Crusoeman »

A friend here in England has just finished restoring a DUKW which he has done as far as is practical to the original spec. He can be proud of his efforts and his attention to detail. I happened to say to him that the propeller was unpainted and then went on to enquire what was the original colour? In fairness he doesn't know although he says that he has seen them painted red. Via the forum I said that I would try and find out what was the original colour or did they leave the factory unpainted? Can anyone help please?

Graham Robinson
Peterborough, England
Bill_Wolf
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Re: What was the original colour of the DUKW propeller?

Post by Bill_Wolf »

My propellor is brass, however there is evidence of OD near the shaft nut.

I am the 5th owner.

Bill
1945 GMC DUKW
1942 Chevy 125 Crash Truck from Dow AAFB,
1944 Chevy 325 Fire Truck
1942 WC-54 Ambulance
1944 M29C Weasel (x6)
1945 CCKW 353 A2 Open Cab "Air-portable"
1943 M5 High Speed Tractor
1942 Sperry Searchlight setup with GE Generator
1942 M-1 Fruehauf Searchlight Trailer (G221)
1942 M-17 Fruehauf Quad 50 Trailer (G221)
1942 M-10 Ammo Trailer (x3)
194? Steel Ben Hur (x4) 194? Wood Ben Hur (x2)
1945 Case VAIW-3 Aircraft Tug
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1944 Clark CA-1 Airborne Dozer
1944 PE-95G, 1944 PE-99B
Crusoeman
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Re: What was the original colour of the DUKW propeller?

Post by Crusoeman »

Bill, what you says makes sense. They were building them as fast as they could go at the time so we don't think they were bothered about what colour the propeller was. It didn't need paint anyway as it was made of brass. If they were spraying the whole DUKW in OD then that paint went all over the propeller as well. We can't see them stopping to mask it off! Life was hectic in those days, they weren't building them as works of art even if we might look at them as such nowadays!

Graham
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