The GMC CCKW

OK gents.

Here is a question for everyone............


How is your HMV marked up, what Regiment/Battalion/Division etc etc and why?

Cheers.

Jack.

my 43 is carrying the markings of the Air Corps Training Command at Kelly Field, Texas because that is where the truck was delivered in August of 1943. The hood numbers are the original U.S. Airforce numbers assigned to the truck.
Jim

Matt makes the point about the Airborne markings over here and it is a good point.

We do seem to be stuck in the Band of Brothers theme. I would like to know what British units used them and how they were marked up. I saw a wonderful picture the other day of a 'watchsmith' repairing watches in the back of maintance lorry.

I thought was amazing as you forget or more to the point, you don't realise how every tiny thing needs maintance to keep the war effort moving.

The Army Air Force used the WWII Army USA Number right up to the 50s, about approx late 51 early 52, some left over USAF WWII Vehicles were assigned new USAF Registration Numbers using the 2 digit year of the Vehicle as a prefix, followed by a 4 digit number, ex 43L-3350. Not all Post WWII USAF Trucks had this done, they may have been changed on paper, but did not get the repaint. USAF CCKWs of the 50s could be found in 3 common colors, OD, Yellow, or Strata Blue, DOW Field, in Bangor had an OD Communications Van at their MARS Site until 57-58. The IOWA-Nebraska ANG that was active at DOW 51-53, had many OD CCKW LWB Cargo trucks. The CCKW used a 6 Digit USA Number, starting with "4" up to 1942, 7 Digits, starting with "4", were used until the end of production in 1945. The 1945 CCKW USA Numbers started with 48. We actually had a NOS Surplus 45 LWB CCKW, USA 4819485, that was surplused in 46 at Boston Navy Base, it had 1100X18 DUKW wheels and a wood cargo body, Henry Hartwell, from Stetson, about 20 miles from here had the mate to it, he also attended the same sale, and his was a NOS 45 with USA 481 first 3 digits. He converted it back to dual 750X20s, and plowed Town Roads up to the mid 50s. Sadly , it was alongside his barn when it burned in the mid 80s. I have mudflaps from Henry's 45CCKW on my 41 SWB. NAVY CCKWs used a different system, and CCKWs manufactured for Ordnance purposes, some shop vans, and fuel trucks had USA begininning with "8", but this was not always the rule.
Joel

Thsi a big subject and maybe worth a thread/article on it's own! please

As UK Jack requested "Bumper Markings" has gained it's own thread and is in the Technical Repairs section..

A web page of the TM about markings has also been added to the site. It can be found here....

http://www.cckw.org/tm9-850.htm

The Admin

Admin wrote:As UK Jack requested "Bumper Markings" has gained it's own thread and is in the Technical Repairs section..

The Admin

That is wonderful news thank you for that!

Joel, I bought the "Kelly" truck that was on E-Bay a couple of months back. I am fairly knowledgable about MB's and GPW's but know very little about the CCKW's. The truck I bought is a 43, ser.# cckw-353-274046-2 and at one time was a "Engineer Motorized Shop". I have sanded the hood and found USA 60109143 ( eight numbers) they have been applyed at three different times , the first in large letters and numbers with the USA centered over the numbers and the next two times with smaller numbers(2") USA and #"s in the same line. What can you tell me about this truck? Thanks, Bill Rountree

It is great that you could find the original numbers on the hood.

The -S at the end of the hood number indicates that it had electrical supression to reduce electrical emissions that could be used to indicate the presence of a running motor or other equipment.

You know those little boxes on the fire wall and condensers on the generator, starter etc.


Steve AKA Dr Deuce

Bill, it was part of a contract let in 1942 for 4805 Chassis only, beginning with USA 60105326 thru USA 60110130. Yes, this Series did have 8 numbers allocated, but the SWB/LWB Cargos only had either 6 USA numbers or 7 USA numbers in their registration. Not all Cab and Chassis had USA numbers starting with 60, some had the usual USA numbers starting with 4. Notice, I said let in 1942. DOD would be later. You may also discover that your chassis is reinforced along the bottom with additional steel. This was in order accommodate the additional stress of either the LeRoi Air Compressor Body, or one of the various Van bodys. You may still have the shallow fuel tank of the van body.
Joel

The CCKW USA Numbers were either 4" or 2" in size. Starting in late 43 were 2" in size, with the USA centered 1" above the numbers. You will see evidence of trucks in ETO that have had their USA Numbers relocated and the USA may be located in front of the numbers or above them, depending upon size and location of the Star. There wasa obviously a lot of "local interpretation, or use of expedients in creating the stencils, and maybe even "free hand" was utilized. You will also find the "in theater" Hood Numbers in 3" or 4".
Joel

Joel is absolutely correct on this. In looking at
WWII Photos the norm is what ever happen to be used or wanted in the field. Even though there were regulations regarding everythng , including truck markings, it was left up to the units and time making sure everything was up to printed regulations when bullets were flying around, was the last thing on these guys minds.

Did you ever see a wartime picture showing a CCKW marked like this, with the star on the roof?



I've only seen the star on the hood, like mine.

Of course, with a machine gun mount or an open cab truck they had to paint it on the hood. So they probably did the same for all trucks, depsite what the TM says.

Yes, I have, and there is wartime photographic evidence.
Joel

The earlier Markings manual shows it that way for closed cab trucks.

Steve AKA Dr Deuce

We need to keep in mind that these trucks were designed for a support role to the Infantry and Armoured divisions and not as offensive weapons. Their major treat came from the air when traveling in long convoys , therefore they had to make sure that they were not destroyed by friendly aircraft. Anytype of marking that would insure that they not be straffed by our own aircraft helped to insure a safer round trip with the needed supplies.

I was just looking at the TM that was posted,has anyone ever seen a chevy with an open cab? They must have been considering it for it to be in the TM.

(speculation and theory)

Whereas they had the tools and dies to make closed cabs and whereas the Chevys would never have a gun ring, it make sense that they would save the production from the new tooling for the CCKWs instead of making more of the open cab tooling.

A lot of Chevs went to Russia too and they liked the closed cab Studes much more then the open cabs.


Steve AKA Dr Deuce

In response to 777AAA. This is my buudies 41 CCKW