Perry Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 Dear Forum, I am new (today) but have already learned a few things like what Prestone 43 means on the front of vehicles. Could anyone confirm that the attached photo is of a Dodge WC-52? Were they also used as ambulances due to the siren. I'm trying to find the authentic RED lens for the siren. Is this a 1943 Dodge? She in good shape ah. Thank you for any information you could send. Perry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 Yes Perry, its a WC52, but without the chassis no it's impossible to confirm the year. The ambulance version was the WC54 which had a closed van type steel body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted December 23, 2007 Author Share Posted December 23, 2007 Thanks Degsy, That's what I though. I live in France and a friend of mine tells me it's a WC-52 but another photo that I have of it, shows a big round cylinder siren with a red lens. He told me it was an ambulance. Could I perhaps be right in thinking that the red lens was for lights out driving, would that make any sense? but why a siren? WC "Weapons Carrier" meaning they normally pulled howitzers or??? Degsy, what was its main use?, I've seen a lot of photos with 50cals mounted. Like you said, the ambulances always seem to have the hard-cap back end. Thanks again Perry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 51 & 52's were used as ambulances and as part of the establishment of medical units. In these roles they did display red crosses, the sirens are reall just showing off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted December 23, 2007 Author Share Posted December 23, 2007 Thank You Tony B, I guess perhaps if this is not the original canvas it may have been painted with a cross, no other signs though. The body re-paint could have also covered any other marking up. I need to ask my friend. Nonetheless, thanks to all for the knowledge base. Perry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 Perry, The first siren shown (without red lens) is a SIREN. The second one is a SIRENLIGHT - they were fitted to Ward laFrance wreckers, I but have not seen them on any other vehicle in wartime photos. You cannot put a lens on the first type, they are very different units. Repro sirens are available from Jeeparts, SIRENLIGHTS are like spaces in the clubhouse parking lot - scarce :whistle: Hope this info helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 http://www.med-dept.com/med_veh.php Have a look at this site. It has the information you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martylee Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 Hi! I think you can get your siren/sirenlight/lens at http://www.handelsplass.no/ It's in norwegian, so good luck. Will help you out if you don't find it. I think I have a photo of a WC51 with some red cross markings somewhere. Will have a look around and get back to you with the photp. (That is if I can locate it!) Marty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martylee Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 You're also wondering what year it is, for me it looks like a late war since the back part of the body is smaller than on mine, which is a '42. If the benches/storage boxes in the back are of wood it would be a '44 or '45. More photos would make it easier to tell year, but you'll have to be aware of the fact that the cargo part might have been changed between vehicles thru the years. But your Dodge look really good! Marty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoranWC51 Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 Hi Perry, What you have is a WC52, probably a 1944 or 1945 model, as Marty said. As for WC52 beign used as ambulances, I'd have to say NO. The WC54 was the principal ambulance vehicle, but Medical units also used WC51's (without the winch), WC62 (6x6 without winch), halftracks, M29 Weasel and off course the MB/GPW. In late 1944 and 1945 came the WC64 (pic no 5) which was a lengthened WC51 with a collapsible rear body for ease of transportation. The siren and the siren/red light combination were not used on Dodges at all. They have been attached by someone who thought they looked nice :bow: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazungumagic Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 Dear Forum, I am new (today) but have already learned a few things like what Prestone 43 means on the front of vehicles. Could anyone confirm that the attached photo is of a Dodge WC-52? Were they also used as ambulances due to the siren. I'm trying to find the authentic RED lens for the siren. Is this a 1943 Dodge? She in good shape ah. Thank you for any information you could send. Perry Perry, What does "Prestone 43" mean ? Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 It was the trade name for the antifreeze compound used. Painted on it meant the vehicle was winterised and should only be refilled with the prestone mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Great pictures Goran! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Having looked at the way the stretchers are lashed across the back of the 51. I wonder if the used the same rule as the 101 ambulances. The serious casualties are put on the bottom, so if the top stretcher colapses the serious injured are least loss. ( I kid you not). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazungumagic Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 It was the trade name for the antifreeze compound used. Painted on it meant the vehicle was winterised and should only be refilled with the prestone mix. Thanks, Tony. Nothing for me to worry about, then. Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Well might be due for changing by now. :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Well might be due for changing by now. :-D Just keep drinking cheap wine, :whistle: can always top up in the field, then :naughty: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 The Belgian's brew a beer called Hummel. When not drunk it strips paint and runs Dodges, also if sprayed is a useful start aid for disiels. Pass another bottle. :beer: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 The Belgian's brew a beer called Hummel. When not drunk it strips paint and runs Dodges, also if sprayed is a useful start aid for disiels. Pass another bottle. :beer: :sweat: errr, yes, I remember THAT stuff................... :died: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Don't know if I want to. :shake: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Don't know if I want to. :shake: Hehehehehehehehe :evil: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoranWC51 Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 I hate to break up the male bonding, but should we try to help Perry out? Attached are pictures of a very special Swedish Army WC52-with a recoilless 105 mm gun! I doubt this WC55 "wannabe" ever was used beyond the prototype stage... The WC52 is one of around 750 Dodges bought from surplus depots in Europe, in 1946-47, for Swedish army use. BTW - HAPPY NEW YEAR! :nut: As always, Goran N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Interesting Dodge pic's, there Goran. Not seen these before. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 The shield around the gun looks like the one on a German 37 MM AT gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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