1940 GMC CCKW-353
The designation CCKW comes from model nomenclature used by GMC; the first C indicated a vehicle designed in 1941, the second C signifies a conventional cab, the K indicates all-wheel drive and the W indicated tandem rear axles. The term "Deuce and a Half" was applied to all 2½ ton cargo trucks. Including the DUKW, General Motors in the US produced 562,750 of these 2.5 ton trucks just prior to and during World War II. The “X” in this case denotes experimental; the U.S. Army had not finalized the CCKW design when this unit was built, hence the addition of the “X” at the end of the model name.
“Deuce and a Half” History
The M35 family of trucks, known for its long service life, was originally introduced by the United States Army and later adopted by various countries worldwide. Falling into the 2-1/2 ton weight class, these trucks were commonly referred to as the "deuce and a half." While officially rated to carry 5,000 pounds off-road or 10,000 pounds on roads, they have been noted for exceeding these limits by hauling up to twice as much. Classified as medium-duty vehicles by both the military and the Department of Transportation, the M35 series served as the foundation for a diverse array of specialized vehicles.
Originating in 1949 as a creation of the REO Motor Car Company, the M35 underwent a swift evolution from the initial M34 model to the widely used M35 variant. The primary contrast between the two lay in the tire configuration, with the M35 boasting a 10-tire setup compared to the M34's 6-tire "super-singles" arrangement.
An M35A2 cargo truck with winch measures 112 inches in height, 96 inches in width, and 277 inches in length, with an empty weight of 13,030 pounds that increases to 13,530 pounds when equipped with a front mount winch (as indicated by dashboard data plates). The standard wheelbase cargo bed spans 8 feet by 12 feet. Depending on the specific configuration (cargo, wrecker, tractor, etc.), the curb weight of an M35 falls within the range of 13,000 to 16,000 pounds when unladen. While the maximum speed of the M35 reaches 56 mph, its typical cruising speed hovers around 48 mph.
The M35 series trucks had four different iterations: Standard, A1, A2, and A3. These variations primarily focused on changes in engine and transmission components. The Standard version of the M35 featured either a REO "Gold Comet" or Continental OA331 inline-6 gasoline engine, with some equipped with 4-speed transmissions while most had "direct 5th" transmissions. The gasoline-powered M35 trucks were mainly produced by REO Motors, although Studebaker also had a manufacturing contract from around 1951 to the early 1960s. In 1958, Curtis-Wright was also awarded a contract to manufacture deuce dump trucks with the Continental gas engine.
The A1 iteration of the M35 trucks was equipped with the Continental LDS-427-2 non-turbo engine, where the 5th gear operated as an overdrive. These engines were known to have reliability and power issues.
Moving on to the A2 version, these trucks were upgraded with the LDS-465-1 Multifuel turbo engines while retaining the overdrive transmission from the A1 models. Over the years, further enhancements led to the development of LDT (turbo clean air)-465-1A, B, and C versions. The addition of the turbo was primarily aimed at reducing the exhaust emissions of the non-turbo engines rather than boosting power, with horsepower increasing only slightly from 130 to 135 HP.
The final version of the Multi Fuel engine, the LDT-465 D, featured a quieter turbo, improved head gasket sealing, and enhanced head cooling. These updates aimed to address previous issues and provide a more refined driving experience for users of the M35 trucks.
Brake system is air-assisted-hydraulic six wheel drum with a driveline parking brake, although glad-hands exist on the rear of the vehicle for connection to trailers with full air service and emergency brakes. Braking performance of the truck is similar to other power drum brake vehicles of this size. Each drum was designed with maximum efficiency in mind.
The "Red Ball Express"
The Red Ball Express was an enormous truck convoy system created by Allied forces to supply their forward-area combat units moving quickly through Europe following the breakout from the D-Day beaches in Normandy. The route was marked with red balls and closed to civilian traffic while the trucks were marked with the same red balls and given priority when on regular roads. The Red Ball Express supply plan originated in a 36 hour urgent committee meeting, and was co-designed by Lt. John Bridener Guthrie, Jr.
