In Box Review of Peerless-Max 1/35th Scale
U.S. Army WWII Dodge WC-62-63
6 X 6 Truck With M50 Ring-mounted Machine Gun
1 1/2 Ton Personnel Carrier
Kit no. 3506-1000
By Ray Mehlberger
Out of production
Copyright 1972
I paid $7.99 for this kit back in the 70's.
By Ray Mehlberger
Out of production
Copyright 1972
I paid $7.99 for this kit back in the 70's.
HISTORY:
The Dodge WC series was a prolific range of light 4WD and medium 6WD military utility trucks, produced by Dodge / Fargo during World War II.
Together with the 1⁄4-ton jeeps produced by Willys and Ford, the Dodge 1⁄2-tons and 3⁄4-tons made up nearly all of the light 4WD trucks supplied to the U.S. military in WWII – with Dodge contributing some 337,500 4WD units[ – over half as many of these as the jeep.
Contrary to the versatility of the highly standardized jeep, which was mostly achieved through field modification, the Dodge WC‑series came in many different, purpose-built, but mechanically uniform variants from the factory, much akin to the later family of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles. The WC series evolved out of, and was part of a more extended family of trucks, with great mechanical parts commonality, that included open- and closed-cab cargo trucks and weapons carriers, (radio) command cars, reconnaissance vehicles, ambulances, carryalls, panel vans, and telephone installation and mobile emergency / field workshop trucks.
From 1940 to 1942, almost 82,400 G-505 1⁄2-ton 4x4 Dodge trucks were built — initially called the VC series, but the great majority (from 1941) in the WC series, and in more variants.
However in 1942, the truck grew into the G-502 3⁄4-ton 4x4 Truck (Dodge) and the G-507 11⁄2-ton 6x6 personnel and cargo truck (Dodge) — retaining the Dodge WC model code.
Although the 3⁄4-tons featured significant design improvements, they retained some 80% interchangeable components and service parts with the 1⁄2-ton models.
Dodge was the U.S. Army's main supplier of 1⁄2-ton trucks, and its sole supplier of both 3⁄4-ton trucks and 11⁄2-ton six-by-six trucks in World War II.
With over a quarter million units built through August 1945, the G502 3⁄4-tons were the most common variants in the WC‑series.
After the war, Dodge developed the 3⁄4-ton WC‑series into the civilian 4x4 Power Wagons; and in 1951, the WCs were replaced by the very similar 3⁄4-ton 4x4 Dodge M-series vehicles .
WC was not an abbreviation of "Weapons Carrier", but a Dodge model code – initially W for 1941, and C for half-ton rating.
However, the 'WC' model code was retained for both the 3⁄4-ton and 11⁄2-ton 6x6 Dodges – as well as for the subsequent model years.
All in all, not counting mechanically related variants, the WC series alone involved 52 model versions (thirty 1⁄2‑ton 4x4, eight 1⁄2‑ton 4x2, twelve 3⁄4‑ton 4x4, and two 11⁄2‑ton 6x6 models).
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: 1⁄2-ton, 3⁄4-ton 4x4 truck, 1 1⁄2-ton 6x6 truck
Place of origin: United States
Wars: World War II, Korean War, Various post 1945 conflicts
Manufacturer: Dodge / Fargo
Produced: 1940–1945
No. built Total: ≈377.710 excl. variants
Consisting of: 1⁄2-ton 4x2 models 1,542 units, All 4x4 Models, ~332,950 units — across: ~77,750 1⁄2-ton units (1940–1942) and 255,195 3⁄4-ton units (1942–1945), 1 1⁄2-ton 6x6 Models 43,224 units
Variants VC-1 – VC-6 1⁄2-ton, 4x4 (1940): 4,640 units, VF-401 – VF-407 11⁄2-ton, 4x4 (1940) – 6,472 units
Specifications: (WC-51 / WC-52)
Mass: 5,250 lb (2,380 kg) empty, (5,550 lb (2,520 kg) with winch)
Length: 166 7⁄8 in (424 cm), (176 1⁄2 in (448 cm) with winch)
Width: 82 3⁄4 in (210 cm)
Height: 81 7⁄8 in (208 cm)
Engine: Dodge T-214, 92 hp (69 kW)
Payload capacity: 1,500 pounds (680 kg)
Transmission: 4 speed x 1 range
Suspension: Live beam axles on leaf springs
Ground clearance 10 23⁄32 in (27.2 cm)
Fuel capacity: 30 US gal (114 l)
Operational range: 240 mi (386.2 km)
Speed: 55 mph (89 km/h)
The Dodge WC series was a prolific range of light 4WD and medium 6WD military utility trucks, produced by Dodge / Fargo during World War II.
Together with the 1⁄4-ton jeeps produced by Willys and Ford, the Dodge 1⁄2-tons and 3⁄4-tons made up nearly all of the light 4WD trucks supplied to the U.S. military in WWII – with Dodge contributing some 337,500 4WD units[ – over half as many of these as the jeep.
Contrary to the versatility of the highly standardized jeep, which was mostly achieved through field modification, the Dodge WC‑series came in many different, purpose-built, but mechanically uniform variants from the factory, much akin to the later family of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles. The WC series evolved out of, and was part of a more extended family of trucks, with great mechanical parts commonality, that included open- and closed-cab cargo trucks and weapons carriers, (radio) command cars, reconnaissance vehicles, ambulances, carryalls, panel vans, and telephone installation and mobile emergency / field workshop trucks.
From 1940 to 1942, almost 82,400 G-505 1⁄2-ton 4x4 Dodge trucks were built — initially called the VC series, but the great majority (from 1941) in the WC series, and in more variants.
However in 1942, the truck grew into the G-502 3⁄4-ton 4x4 Truck (Dodge) and the G-507 11⁄2-ton 6x6 personnel and cargo truck (Dodge) — retaining the Dodge WC model code.
Although the 3⁄4-tons featured significant design improvements, they retained some 80% interchangeable components and service parts with the 1⁄2-ton models.
Dodge was the U.S. Army's main supplier of 1⁄2-ton trucks, and its sole supplier of both 3⁄4-ton trucks and 11⁄2-ton six-by-six trucks in World War II.
With over a quarter million units built through August 1945, the G502 3⁄4-tons were the most common variants in the WC‑series.
After the war, Dodge developed the 3⁄4-ton WC‑series into the civilian 4x4 Power Wagons; and in 1951, the WCs were replaced by the very similar 3⁄4-ton 4x4 Dodge M-series vehicles .
WC was not an abbreviation of "Weapons Carrier", but a Dodge model code – initially W for 1941, and C for half-ton rating.
However, the 'WC' model code was retained for both the 3⁄4-ton and 11⁄2-ton 6x6 Dodges – as well as for the subsequent model years.
All in all, not counting mechanically related variants, the WC series alone involved 52 model versions (thirty 1⁄2‑ton 4x4, eight 1⁄2‑ton 4x2, twelve 3⁄4‑ton 4x4, and two 11⁄2‑ton 6x6 models).
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: 1⁄2-ton, 3⁄4-ton 4x4 truck, 1 1⁄2-ton 6x6 truck
Place of origin: United States
Wars: World War II, Korean War, Various post 1945 conflicts
Manufacturer: Dodge / Fargo
Produced: 1940–1945
No. built Total: ≈377.710 excl. variants
Consisting of: 1⁄2-ton 4x2 models 1,542 units, All 4x4 Models, ~332,950 units — across: ~77,750 1⁄2-ton units (1940–1942) and 255,195 3⁄4-ton units (1942–1945), 1 1⁄2-ton 6x6 Models 43,224 units
Variants VC-1 – VC-6 1⁄2-ton, 4x4 (1940): 4,640 units, VF-401 – VF-407 11⁄2-ton, 4x4 (1940) – 6,472 units
Specifications: (WC-51 / WC-52)
Mass: 5,250 lb (2,380 kg) empty, (5,550 lb (2,520 kg) with winch)
Length: 166 7⁄8 in (424 cm), (176 1⁄2 in (448 cm) with winch)
Width: 82 3⁄4 in (210 cm)
Height: 81 7⁄8 in (208 cm)
Engine: Dodge T-214, 92 hp (69 kW)
Payload capacity: 1,500 pounds (680 kg)
Transmission: 4 speed x 1 range
Suspension: Live beam axles on leaf springs
Ground clearance 10 23⁄32 in (27.2 cm)
Fuel capacity: 30 US gal (114 l)
Operational range: 240 mi (386.2 km)
Speed: 55 mph (89 km/h)
THE KIT:
Max was based in Philadelphia, PA and their kits were made in Japan back in the 70's. I don't think Max still exists anymore ??
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a WC-62/63 attacking a German airfield. The truck is passing a knocked out German bomber that has white spirals on the its spinners. However, I am unable to identify what this aircraft is. Anybody know ?
The truck is overall olive drab with a white star on the sides of the cargo compartment. It has a crew of 4. A driver, standing machine gunner manning the 50 cal in the turret ring. All the men wear olive drab uniforms with steel helmets. The two men in the cargo compartment are armed with rifles.
The figures included in the kit are all seated and there is not one posed standing to put in the turret ring.
Max was based in Philadelphia, PA and their kits were made in Japan back in the 70's. I don't think Max still exists anymore ??
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a WC-62/63 attacking a German airfield. The truck is passing a knocked out German bomber that has white spirals on the its spinners. However, I am unable to identify what this aircraft is. Anybody know ?
The truck is overall olive drab with a white star on the sides of the cargo compartment. It has a crew of 4. A driver, standing machine gunner manning the 50 cal in the turret ring. All the men wear olive drab uniforms with steel helmets. The two men in the cargo compartment are armed with rifles.
The figures included in the kit are all seated and there is not one posed standing to put in the turret ring.
One side panel has a color side profile of the truck pulling a 2-wheeled trailer. It is overall olive-drab with no markings shown. This is followed by a paragraph in Japanese that I believe is probably the history of the the truck. Kit was made in Japan.
The other side panel begins with an illustration of two cartoon character U.S. soldiers, followed by 3 color box arts of other truck kits that Max manufactures: kit no. 3503, which is another earlier boxing of this kit, Kit no. 3504, which is a WC-55 with a 37 mm gun mounted in it and kit no. 3505, which is a WC-56 Command & reconnaissance truck.
I assume all these 3 are to 1/35th scale.
I assume all these 3 are to 1/35th scale.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 8 very dark-green trees, a clear tree, the decal sheet, 2 instructions and a picture folder.
The 2 instructions sheets are identical, except one is all in English and the other all in Japanese.
The both consist of single sheets that accordion fold out into 8 pages in 7 1/4" x 10 1/4" page format.
Page 1 of the Japanese language instructions begins with a black and white photo of the model and trailer made up. The truck has a large white star on top of the hood, another white star on top of the front fenders and the side of the cargo compartment. Below the star on the sides of the cargo compartment there is a white square with data information on it and the star is followed with a white stenciled serial no. 2810-P. a further white serial number is on the sides of the hood, it is U.S.A. 3303852.
However these markings are not provided on the kit's decal sheet.
The trailer has a white star on the sides and rear, over white serial no. U.S.A. 033497 with a yellow circle on the left rear with a red 3 below a small square with a "C" on it.
This is the only difference between it and the English instructions.
The English instructions begin with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over 2 black and white wartime photos of the actual truck showing one with the wench on the front and one without. Before assembling instructions are given.
Page 2 is the parts trees drawings with names of all the parts. Some of the names are shaded out. Meaning those parts are excess and not needed to complete the models.
Trees are alphabetized and have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees.
Page 3 through 7 gives a grand total of 12 assembly steps.
Step 9 is all for assembly of the two-wheeled trailer.
There is a step 13, but it is the painting and decaling instructions.
Shown are 3 line drawings of the truck and 2 of the trailer.
The first truck illustration is overall olive-drab with a large white star on top of the hood and on the sides of the cargo compartment. The white square with data on it is on the sides of the cargo compartment too. On the left side of the front bumper there is a white stenciled letter T and a upside down letter U. On the right side of the bumper is a yellow square with a red 5 on it followed by a white stenciled small letter Q with a large letter U on top of it. A yellow disc plate is mounted on the left side of the grill with 7/5 on it. On the sides of the hood is stenciled white serial no. U.S.A. 3341259.
This vehicle belonged to the 32nd Infantry Division and was part of the Division headquarters, that saw action in the Philippines and one of the first units to land in Japan at the end of the war. The ring mount for the 50 cal is not shown.
The second truck also is overall olive-drab, with a large white star on top of the hood and on the sides of the cargo compartment. It has a small star on top of the radiator and front fenders. On the left side of the front bumper is a white stenciled serial no. 25-1B27 and on the right side a white stenciled B-16. It also has a yellow disc mounted on the left side of the radiator with 7/5 on it. Stenciled with serial no. on the sides of the hood is U.S.A. 3338497.
This vehicle was with the 25th Infantry Division, 27th Infantry Battalion, "B" Company. It served in the Korean War.
The third truck also is overall olive-drab, with a white star in a circle on top of the hold another star on the sides of the cargo compartment along with the white square with stenciling on it. The ends of the front bumper are painted white. On the left side of the bumper is a white stenciled letter T - and two dots. On the right side of the bumper is a yellow square with a number 5 on it, followed by a stenciled number AT-10. On the sides of the hood is stenciled white serial no. U.S.A. 3303852.
This vehicle was with the 32nd Infantry Division, Anti-tank Platoon, mainly equipped with a 37mm anti-tank gun.
The 2-view of the 2-wheeled trailer shows it to have a yellow circle with a number 3 below a small square with a letter "C" on it on the left side of the front wall. It has a white star over stenciled white serial no. U.S.A. 033497 in the center of the front wall.
The rear wall of the trailer can have either T upside down U or small 25 over 19-27 or T with 2 dots on the left bumperette and either white stenciled large letter U over small letter Q or B-16 or AT-10 on the right bumperette. There is a white star in the center of the tail gate.
The bottom of page 8 gives the copyright date of the kit as being 1972 and Peerless Corp's address in Philadelphia, Pa is provided. Printing was done in Japan.
The picture folder is the same size as the two instructions. It also is all in Japanese. It is folded in the center to create 4 pages.
It begins with a black and white photo of a 3/4 ton truck, over a small black and white photo of a 4 x 4 WC-24 and a 4 x 4 WC-57.
Page 2 has a wartime black and white photo of a whole field of Dodge trucks, over a small black and white photo of a WC-60 and a WC-56 truck.
Page 3 has 14 black and white line drawing profiles of variants of the Dodge truck.
The top of page 4 shows 5 more wartime black and white variants of the Dodge truck. Pages are loaded with Japanese text.
The very dark-green letter A tree holds: front and rear axles, exhaust pipe. front fenders, springs, winch mounting frame, rear view mirror, pick handle, steering column, shovel, axe, front hook, winch worm housing, pick head, transfer case engaging lever, transmission gear shift lever, plate, blackout parking lights, blackout driving light, winch drive shaft. steering arm, hand brake lever, spare wheel carrier, instrument panel, head lights, radiator, steering wheel, transfer case shift lever, power take-off, windshield frame, pioneer tool rack, front bumperettes with and without winch (46 parts) Two parts are excess.
The kit holds 8 very dark-green trees, a clear tree, the decal sheet, 2 instructions and a picture folder.
The 2 instructions sheets are identical, except one is all in English and the other all in Japanese.
The both consist of single sheets that accordion fold out into 8 pages in 7 1/4" x 10 1/4" page format.
Page 1 of the Japanese language instructions begins with a black and white photo of the model and trailer made up. The truck has a large white star on top of the hood, another white star on top of the front fenders and the side of the cargo compartment. Below the star on the sides of the cargo compartment there is a white square with data information on it and the star is followed with a white stenciled serial no. 2810-P. a further white serial number is on the sides of the hood, it is U.S.A. 3303852.
However these markings are not provided on the kit's decal sheet.
The trailer has a white star on the sides and rear, over white serial no. U.S.A. 033497 with a yellow circle on the left rear with a red 3 below a small square with a "C" on it.
This is the only difference between it and the English instructions.
The English instructions begin with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over 2 black and white wartime photos of the actual truck showing one with the wench on the front and one without. Before assembling instructions are given.
Page 2 is the parts trees drawings with names of all the parts. Some of the names are shaded out. Meaning those parts are excess and not needed to complete the models.
Trees are alphabetized and have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees.
Page 3 through 7 gives a grand total of 12 assembly steps.
Step 9 is all for assembly of the two-wheeled trailer.
There is a step 13, but it is the painting and decaling instructions.
Shown are 3 line drawings of the truck and 2 of the trailer.
The first truck illustration is overall olive-drab with a large white star on top of the hood and on the sides of the cargo compartment. The white square with data on it is on the sides of the cargo compartment too. On the left side of the front bumper there is a white stenciled letter T and a upside down letter U. On the right side of the bumper is a yellow square with a red 5 on it followed by a white stenciled small letter Q with a large letter U on top of it. A yellow disc plate is mounted on the left side of the grill with 7/5 on it. On the sides of the hood is stenciled white serial no. U.S.A. 3341259.
This vehicle belonged to the 32nd Infantry Division and was part of the Division headquarters, that saw action in the Philippines and one of the first units to land in Japan at the end of the war. The ring mount for the 50 cal is not shown.
The second truck also is overall olive-drab, with a large white star on top of the hood and on the sides of the cargo compartment. It has a small star on top of the radiator and front fenders. On the left side of the front bumper is a white stenciled serial no. 25-1B27 and on the right side a white stenciled B-16. It also has a yellow disc mounted on the left side of the radiator with 7/5 on it. Stenciled with serial no. on the sides of the hood is U.S.A. 3338497.
This vehicle was with the 25th Infantry Division, 27th Infantry Battalion, "B" Company. It served in the Korean War.
The third truck also is overall olive-drab, with a white star in a circle on top of the hold another star on the sides of the cargo compartment along with the white square with stenciling on it. The ends of the front bumper are painted white. On the left side of the bumper is a white stenciled letter T - and two dots. On the right side of the bumper is a yellow square with a number 5 on it, followed by a stenciled number AT-10. On the sides of the hood is stenciled white serial no. U.S.A. 3303852.
This vehicle was with the 32nd Infantry Division, Anti-tank Platoon, mainly equipped with a 37mm anti-tank gun.
The 2-view of the 2-wheeled trailer shows it to have a yellow circle with a number 3 below a small square with a letter "C" on it on the left side of the front wall. It has a white star over stenciled white serial no. U.S.A. 033497 in the center of the front wall.
The rear wall of the trailer can have either T upside down U or small 25 over 19-27 or T with 2 dots on the left bumperette and either white stenciled large letter U over small letter Q or B-16 or AT-10 on the right bumperette. There is a white star in the center of the tail gate.
The bottom of page 8 gives the copyright date of the kit as being 1972 and Peerless Corp's address in Philadelphia, Pa is provided. Printing was done in Japan.
The picture folder is the same size as the two instructions. It also is all in Japanese. It is folded in the center to create 4 pages.
It begins with a black and white photo of a 3/4 ton truck, over a small black and white photo of a 4 x 4 WC-24 and a 4 x 4 WC-57.
Page 2 has a wartime black and white photo of a whole field of Dodge trucks, over a small black and white photo of a WC-60 and a WC-56 truck.
Page 3 has 14 black and white line drawing profiles of variants of the Dodge truck.
The top of page 4 shows 5 more wartime black and white variants of the Dodge truck. Pages are loaded with Japanese text.
The very dark-green letter A tree holds: front and rear axles, exhaust pipe. front fenders, springs, winch mounting frame, rear view mirror, pick handle, steering column, shovel, axe, front hook, winch worm housing, pick head, transfer case engaging lever, transmission gear shift lever, plate, blackout parking lights, blackout driving light, winch drive shaft. steering arm, hand brake lever, spare wheel carrier, instrument panel, head lights, radiator, steering wheel, transfer case shift lever, power take-off, windshield frame, pioneer tool rack, front bumperettes with and without winch (46 parts) Two parts are excess.
Very dark-green letter B tree holds: wheels inner and outer halves, spare wheel outer half, cab floor panel, engine front support, transmission, fuel tank, universal drive housing, brake drums, steering tie rod, hood side panels, hood, winch drum halves, rear bumperettes, seat supports, front seats, grill with and without winch, 5 gallon jerry cans (42 parts)
Very dark-green trees letters C, D & E are co-joined.
Very dark-green letter C tree holds: seated figure (divided into separate torso, arms and legs, foot steps and helmet (9 parts)
Very dark-green letter D tree holds: springs, frame, rear propeller shaft, transfer case (5 parts) All of these parts are excess and not needed.
Very dark-green letter E tree holds: cab floor side panels, cargo compartment tailgate, front and rear panels (5 parts)
Very dark-green letter C tree holds: seated figure (divided into separate torso, arms and legs, foot steps and helmet (9 parts)
Very dark-green letter D tree holds: springs, frame, rear propeller shaft, transfer case (5 parts) All of these parts are excess and not needed.
Very dark-green letter E tree holds: cab floor side panels, cargo compartment tailgate, front and rear panels (5 parts)
Very dark-green letter F tree holds: cargo compartment floor, canvas top, gun mount bracket, cargo compartment backrests and side panels and wheel wells, canvas top bows (20 parts)
Very dark-green letter G tree holds: chassis frame, tires, front and rear tandem differential drive shaft and axles, trunnion arms, rear spring mounts, spring, gun ring supports, ammo case, transfer case, hand brake drum, gun ring (35 parts)
Very dark-green letter H tree is not illustrated in the instructions. It holds all the parts for the 2-wheeled trailer: leaf springs, wheels, floor, sides and frame (24 parts)
A very dark-green tree that is not alphabetized holds parts of two figures, divided into separate torsos, arms and legs, with 3 helmets (13 parts)
The clear window panes are next (1 part)
It is in a stapled shut clear cello bag along with 3 metal rods.
It is in a stapled shut clear cello bag along with 3 metal rods.
The decal sheet completes the kit's contents.
Very well detailed model. Highly recommended.