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    • War News | Military History | Military News

    $70,000 for a Swimming DUKW – There Aren’t That Many Running Ones Left

    Jack Beckett, Guest Author

    This is a very nice running DUKW, it always starts right up without hesitation. The original 270 engine runs quiet and strong, no lifter noise or smoke on startup. The DUKW drives down the road very nice.

     It is street legal to go from road to water and has two titles (land and water) it is a real pleasure to drive and swim. Very original WWII DUKW complete with anchor and tools. Never butchered for tour company use, an original DUKW.  It’s driven and swims regularly.

    Just a few of the expense and labor completed on this DUKW; all new wiring harness throughout the DUKW from Vintage Wiring of Maine, no cracked or bare wires to create problems. New wire is better than an old NOS harness. All lights and gages are in working condition.

    Scroll down for images

    Brake components are completely rebuilt or new and ready to go. This includes all new braking system from master cylinder, lines, Hyreovack (from Rex Ward of England), brake hardware, etc.. all the way to the pads. The list of new parts keeps going and going on this rebuild.

    All axles are rebuilt including new seals and all new bellows on drive shaft tubes. New front 18 ply tires and NOS tires on the rears, new tubes and flaps installed all around. Rims are cleaned and painted, and two NOS spare tires.

    Dash looks perfect and operates as it should, just look at the photos of the detail involved in the restoration. Compass and spotlight look amazing, life ring and canvas dash bag is included along with under seat tools and box (not shown in photos), but is included in the sale.

    The detail of the engine compartment is most impressive with tools, plugs and spares located in the proper area. And a new radiator with correct hole for air compressor drive shaft. Tire air inflation system is all connected, with copper lines so no worry of rusting the old steel lines.

    Also included in the sale are air hubs, ring mounts, ring and cradle for 50 caliber, plus more parts than can be listed in this add.  All are not fully restored.

    A little history of the DUKW:

    Manufacturer: Yellow Truck and Coach Company
    Production Years: 1942 -1945
    Engine: GMC over-head-valve,270-cid, 94-hp, liquid-cooled, in-line six-cylinder, gasoline
    Length: 31 feet
    Width: 8 feet, 2-7/8 inches
    Height: 8 feet, 9-1/2 inches (with top up)
    Weight: 14,880 pounds
    Armor: None
    Armament: NONE on this example – Could be fitted with a Browning M2 .50 cal. machine-gun on an M36 truck mount
    Maximum Speed, Road: 45 mph
    Maximum Speed, Water: 6.3 mph

    The GMC DUKW – 353 was developed in 1942 in accordance with a directive by the Commanding General, Services of Supply. The directive called for a vehicle that could transport personnel and supplies from ships to beaches without the benefit of prepared harbors and docks. The designation DUKW came from the builder’s code:

    D=1942;

    U=Utility;

    K=All wheel drive;

    W=Twin rear wheel axles.

    The average GI simply referred to the vehicle as the “Duck”. The pilot model was so successful that it was immediately put into production after testing. On land the DUKW used its normal six-wheel drive, but in the water, it was propelled by a propeller and steered by a rudder. The wheels and propeller could operate together for smoothly entering and exiting water.

    When empty, the DUKW weighed 6.5 tons
    When empty, the DUKW weighed 6.5 tons

     

    One-fourth of the DUKWs made had .50-caliber Browning heavy machine guns installed in a ring mount.
    One-fourth of the DUKWs made had .50-caliber Browning heavy machine guns installed in a ring mount.

     

     

    The DUKW was innovative – it was the first vehicle that allowed the driver to vary the tire pressure from inside the cab.
    The DUKW was innovative – it was the first vehicle that allowed the driver to vary the tire pressure from inside the cab.

     

    Only a few hundred are still in operation today.
    Only a few hundred are still in operation today.

     

    DUKWs were designed to withstand driving onto beaches in 15 foot seas
    DUKWs were designed to withstand driving onto beaches in 15 foot seas

     

    They have six wheels and can be driven in rear wheel or all wheel drive.
    They have six wheels and can be driven in rear wheel or all wheel drive.

     

    In the Pacific, Marines used the DUKW as an assault craft.
    In the Pacific, Marines used the DUKW as an assault craft.

     

    It was this versatility that made the DUKW perfect for the planned Allied invasion of Europe,
    It was this versatility that made the DUKW perfect for the planned Allied invasion of Europe,

     

    The prototype DUKW began with a cab-over-engine variant on the GMC CCKW six-wheel drive military truck then added a watertight hull and propeller.
    The prototype DUKW began with a cab-over-engine variant on the GMC CCKW six-wheel drive military truck then added a watertight hull and propeller.

     

    Beachheads were considered vulnerable because landing vehicles would use up all their ammunition before a supply system had been established. The DUKWs filled this need by ferrying supplies to the shore and delivering injured soldiers to hospital ships.
    Beachheads were considered vulnerable because landing vehicles would use up all their ammunition before a supply system had been established. The DUKWs filled this need by ferrying supplies to the shore and delivering injured soldiers to hospital ships.

     

     

    They were also used in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, the Battle of the Scheldt, Operation Veritable and Operation Plunder.
    They were also used in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, the Battle of the Scheldt, Operation Veritable and Operation Plunder.

     

    31 feet long, 8.2 feet wide, and 7 feet high with the top down and 8.8 foot with the top up, it was powered by a GMC 270 in 3 straight-six engine.
    31 feet long, 8.2 feet wide, and 7 feet high with the top down and 8.8 foot with the top up, it was powered by a GMC 270 in 3 straight-six engine.

     

    Just 21, 137 were built.
    Just 21, 137 were built.

     

    The first time they were included in an invasion force was in the Sicilian Operation Husky.
    The first time they were included in an invasion force was in the Sicilian Operation Husky.

     

    The tires could be fully inflated for hard surfaces like roads or under-inflated for softer surfaces, like sand.
    The tires could be fully inflated for hard surfaces like roads or under-inflated for softer surfaces, like sand.

     

    The DUKWs were first sent to Guadalcanal to fight in the Pacific theater.
    The DUKWs were first sent to Guadalcanal to fight in the Pacific theater.

     

    A DUKW could stay afloat with up to a 2-inch hole in the hull thanks to a bilge pump.
    A DUKW could stay afloat with up to a 2-inch hole in the hull thanks to a bilge pump.

     

    GMC supplied DUKWs to the US Army and Marines.
    GMC supplied DUKWs to the US Army and Marines.

     

    2,000 were provided to Britain in the Lend-Lease program.
    2,000 were provided to Britain in the Lend-Lease program.

     

    The Australians had 535, and the Soviets had 586.
    The Australians had 535, and the Soviets had 586.

     

    Based on a the GMC 6×6
    Based on a the GMC 6×6

     

    It could move at up to 50 mph on land and up to 5.5 knots on the water.
    It could move at up to 50 mph on land and up to 5.5 knots on the water.

     

    Located: Orlando Florida, fresh water. We can ship to any location in the world and you can but it here 

    We can set up shipping for a fee, Vin # 11227, $70,000  or make offer, over 70 photos of the restoration 863.712.7207.

     

    A top and side view of the DUKW
    A top and side view of the DUKW

     

    USS LST 543 is the first landing ship to unload at Loebnitz pier off Normandy, France in June 1944. The pier is a unit of the U.S. Mulberry, a man-made harbor.
    USS LST 543 is the first landing ship to unload at Loebnitz pier off Normandy, France in June 1944. The pier is a unit of the U.S. Mulberry, a man-made harbor.

     

    A diagram of the DUKW drivetrain
    A diagram of the DUKW drivetrain

     

    The GMC AFKWX, cab over engine variant of the GMS, at the Overloon War Museum – War History Online
    The GMC AFKWX, cab over engine variant of the GMS, at the Overloon War Museum – War History Online

     

    DUKWs in the water
    DUKWs in the water

     

    King George VI, accompanied by Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay and the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, touring the beaches at Normandy in a DUKW amphibious vehicle, 16 June 1944.
    King George VI, accompanied by Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay and the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, touring the beaches at Normandy in a DUKW amphibious vehicle, 16 June 1944.

     

    DUKWs transporting a P-38
    DUKWs transporting a P-38

     

    A DUKW transitioning from sailing to driving.
    A DUKW transitioning from sailing to driving.

    DUKWs participated in all major US amphibious operations from March 1943 until the end of World War II. The cargo compartment could accommodate 25 soldiers and their equipment or 5,000 pounds of supplies. Lend- Lease DUKWs were also provided to the British and Soviets. Over 21,000 DUKWs had been manufactured by late 1945.