The GMC CCKW

I've just bough a 353, its missing the uprights for the canvas top, can some one let me know what size these should be and the timber that would have been used originally. Thanks James

hi james i had to replace my timber too
will post sizes i used tomorrow
regards kevin

Hi james,
When I was restoring my CCKW 5 years ago, we sandblasted the wood seats, rails and top-bows. I swear it looked like California Redwood. Does anyone know what wood was actually used? Hammerhead

I posted the materials under Wood Cargo Body a couple years ago. I can do it again when there is time.

Hardwoods as per gov't spec
ASH or OAK in my opinion are the best but ELM, MAPLE, and others were accepted



Hope this helps
John

Permissible Bow Stave Wood

Ash
Beech Birch, Yellow
Elm, rock
Hickory, true
Locust, black
Maple, hard
Oak, white
Oak, red
Pecan


I used to eat lunch with the owner of Evans Lumber Co. in Bangor, a specialty lumber dealer.
During WWII he worked as Government Inspector selecting and grading wood sold to US Gov't and Canadian Aircraft Industry. He supervised the wood used in construction of the Mosquito Fighter Aircraft in Canada.

Mr Evans was also involved in inspection of Wood Cargo Bodies, axe and shovel handles, etc. The factory Representative ofor Slil Saw used to join us. He was missing some fingers.

Wow, he was a busy man. Great historical info. Thanks.

Yes, he was busy, as wood was a very important war material, more than just a material for wartime crates and barracks.

You were an Instructor Pilot at Ft Rucker during your long Army career, and "flew everything in the inventory", perhaps you could explain how important wood was to Rotary Winged Aircraft during your era, the readers may be surprised to learn where it was used.

Thank you for your interest in my past Joel, that is flattering. I prefer to stick to CCKW's on this site. Thanks again though. Have a really fun day.

Thanks guys. Kevin I look forward to receiving those sizes, what timber did you use? Thanks James

For those of you that are curious about the wood used on Helicopters.
The Main Rotor Blades of those early helicopters used Balsa Wood. It was laminated inside the blade to form the airfoil. The H-13 (MASH) and H-23 series used by the Army in the 40s-70s had this. This feature was most always a topic of ones initial classroom introduction to basic Military helicopters and would make one think twice.
What is amazing is that if somehow the helicopter were lifted by the blade tips, they would break off, but when spinning the overall combination of blades and the laws of physics worked like magic.