1944 GMC DUKW

The DUKW is capable of carrying a 2 1/2 ton payload over land or water. It is equipped with a GMC 270 cubic inch 6 cylinder gasoline engine. It has a 5 speed transmission with a 2 speed transfer case. This gives a total of 10 forward speeds and 2 in reverse. It has 6 wheel drive, a water propeller and a 10 ton winch. All or any of these can be run separately or together in any combination. Top speed on land is 50 to 55 mph while on the water top speed is only 6 mph (land miles per hour not knots). It also has a tire inflation system with a 2 cylinder air compressor and air storage tank. This allows the driver to inflate or deflate any one or all six tires at the same time from the dashboard. The dashboard also has a tire pressure gauge so that air pressure can be monitored. The front brake lines are protected in steel conduit with barbed wire cutters on the outside. The DUKW weighs 7 1/2 tons empty and is 31 feet long. DUKWs were manufactured from 1942 to 1945 by General Motors Corporation.

What does DUKW stand for?
D=First year of production code "D" is for 1942
U=Body style "U" utility truck (amphibious)
K=Front wheel drive. GMC still uses that on trucks today (K5 Chevy Blazer)
W=Two rear driving wheels (tandem axle)

The 1944 DUKW was produced at the GMC truck plant in Pontiac, Mi. in early 1944. Our DUKW is in the process of a complete restoration, after which it will be able to swim
and drive again.

 

 

1943 GMC CCKW-353

The 2 1/2 ton cargo truck supported the lifeline of the Allied armies in WWII , carrying supplies and soldiers to the front. Over 800,000 were built during WWII, with many variations produced for various tasks. The most common was CCKW-353 flatbed cargo truck, which had an off-road cargo capacity of 2 1/2 tons and a paved road capacity of 4 tons. With its bulletproof reliability and 55mph top speed, it ferried much-needed supplies, medicines, food, and fuel to help the Allies win the war This truck was made famous in the RED BALL EXPRESS running supplies from channel ports to front line armies, using a ONE WAY road system.

1944 Sherman tank M4E4 76 (w)

This tank is owned by a friend of the museum, Jim Sherman of Armada, MI. This tank is complete inside and out and has many
of the original components. The main gun is locked but
everything else on the tank works completely including
original engine, drive train, etc.

 

Click here to view our previously owned museum pieces