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Speaking of DUKWs....


Dave Fleming

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Why is it painted with Nakajima cockpit interior colour? :clown:

Here's a radio controlled one I built 2 years ago following a visit to ATUURM at Instowe

Dukw1.jpg

Dukw2.jpg

Dukw3.jpg

They still have 4 in service, used as 'Safety Boats' when teaching 'The Booties' to drive their landies through 4 ft of water to (and hopefully from) the Landingcraft .

The only thing you can replace a DUKW with....is another DUKW!

P.S. They now have Perkins Diesels fitted!

Rex

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  • 2 weeks later...

There was one of these (real ones!) as part of the Royal Marines display at the recent Navy Days in Plymouth.

Their display was somewhat hidden at the top of the 'harbour' and I almost missed it, but I was glad I didn't as I have been looking for one of these for years now, to make a model of it (eventually). Was able to crawl all over it and photo to my hearts content.

That made it worth going/the entrance fee all on its own!

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Incredible that the Marines are using 60 year old plus equipment - says a lot for the design and construction of the DUKW.

I believe DUKW (couldn't be anything else!) is an acronym - but for what?

Graham

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Incredible that the Marines are using 60 year old plus equipment - says a lot for the design and construction of the DUKW.

I believe DUKW (couldn't be anything else!) is an acronym - but for what?

Graham

D - Year of manufacture (1942)

U - Utility (Amphibian)

K - Front Wheel Drive

W - Two Rear Driving Axles

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The D.U.K.W.

General Data

Weight 6.6 Tons, Length 31ft, Width 8ft 2 in, Height 8ft 10 in,

Cargo space 12ft 5in x 6ft 10in.

Performance

Max speed land 50 m.p.h.

Max speed water 6 m.p.h.

Surf Limits 6ft Canopy down, 15ft Canopy fitted.

Consumption

Normal 6 m.p.g. Soft sand 3 m.p.g. Water 6 g.p.h.

Bilge Pumps 1x50 gpm , 1x 150 gpm

Load

2 x Crew plus.....2 1/2 tons open water, 5 tons calm water,

or 25 troops and equipment.

Engine

6 cylinder GMC Petrol developing 34bhp,

(now replaced in British service with either a Cummins diesel developing

120bhp or Bedford diesel developing 105 bhp.)

The name DUKW comes from the following code.

D = date code for 1942, U = Amphibian, K = Dual Axle, W= 6 wheel drive.

“She's not very fast,

but she's better in water than any truck,

And………...she'll beat any boat on a highway !”

The Amphibious Trials and Training Unit Royal Marines (ATTURM) at Instow. North Devon.

has a fleet of 4 DUKW s, These are the last examples in British military service.

These historic vehicles built in 1942, are used to support the work of ATTURM on a day to day basis by providing safety cover during vehicle fording in the sea, acting as trials filming and observation platforms on both land and sea, and in support of other training including the recovery of 'Gemini' ribs.

They are regularly to be seen on the beaches of Instow and Saunton and one took part in the 60th anniversary of D-Day celebrations by going to 'Gold Beach', Normandy.

There is currently nothing suitable to replace these vehicles and there is an ongoing programme of refurbishment and upgrading to give them a life extending well into the 2000s.

Rex

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D - Year of manufacture (1942)

U - Utility (Amphibian)

K - Front Wheel Drive

W - Two Rear Driving Axles

Richard

Thanks - interesting.

Of course that brings further questions!

Were all DUKWs built in 1942. Were any built in for example 1941 or 43? What were they called?

Front wheel drive AND two rear driving axles - is that the same as six wheel drive?

Ta

Graham

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A number of civilianised versions potter through Livepool city centre daily, starting and finishing in Albert Dock. As far as I know, this is the only one with a sharkmouth! Just google 'yellow duckmarine' for other examples.

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/24891683.jpg

MH

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There was one of these (real ones!) as part of the Royal Marines display at the recent Navy Days in Plymouth.

Their display was somewhat hidden at the top of the 'harbour' and I almost missed it, but I was glad I didn't as I have been looking for one of these for years now, to make a model of it (eventually). Was able to crawl all over it and photo to my hearts content.

That made it worth going/the entrance fee all on its own!

Would you be able to share a few please? :please::innocent::worthy:

Post war British DUKW colour schemes are interesting, as they go through Olive Drab, Dark Grey/White, Light grey and a few others as well.

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I regret I have a problem in that I cannot add them to the site as I can only access from work and attaching any external drives/CD's etc is a BIG no no.

However, if you want to PM me with your addresses I would be willing to burn copies to a CD and post them to you, if thats OK?

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Dat's der one!

Wonder why this one doesn't have the green stripe down the side like all the others I've seen published?

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Dat's der one!

Wonder why this one doesn't have the green stripe down the side like all the others I've seen published?

When I visited I asked the same question!

The green stripe is 'non slip' deck paint and they only board/dismount from the one side!

Maybe a load of bull......but that was the answer I got from the guy at ATUURM.

Rex

Edited by emlra
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Going by the colour of the front of the DUKW I would not be surprised if this is a non slip coating especially if the crew are mooring next to a jetty or supply boat. When just out of the water all parts of the truck are likely to be slimey and if the coating gives a bit more purchase when climbing to the cab from the road it has got to be a good thing. Note that it is also at the driver's side which is the side that will be most used. If you also look at the very first pic you will see that there are very distinct steps on the driver's side that the RC DUKW doesn't look as if he has added but are clear from the shadows cast on the side of the real one. No steps on the passenger's side going by the later photo which looks to be the same registration as the first pic.

Nige

Edited by Okdoky
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Going by the colour of the front of the DUKW I would not be surprised if this is a non slip coating especially if the crew are mooring next to a jetty or supply boat. When just out of the water all parts of the truck are likely to be slimey and if the coating gives a bit more purchase when climbing to the cab from the road it has got to be a good thing. Note that it is also at the driver's side which is the side that will be most used. If you also look at the very first pic you will see that there are very distinct steps on the driver's side that the RC DUKW doesn't look as if he has added but are clear from the shadows cast on the side of the real one. No steps on the passenger's side going by the later photo which looks to be the same registration as the first pic.

Nige

Didn't fit the steps on the RC DUKW (is it a boat or a truck?) because I didn't want to lose the watertight integrity of the hull.

But you are right in all aspects of the above Nige

Rex

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Didn't fit the steps on the RC DUKW (is it a boat or a truck?) because I didn't want to lose the watertight integrity of the hull.

But you are right in all aspects of the above Nige

Rex

Meant to post earlier - but forgot - your DUKW is superb! Does it run as a truck, or is it 'water driven' only?

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Hi Rex

You really did catch the look of the real thing and I have noticed that cause of the depth of the model in the water you don't actually see the missing steps. The real vehicle does not have a step at the top above your waterline so is totally authentic looking. Was this a kit or made from scratch from plans?

I would love such a detailed and versitile RC model to putter about with. Something like a Bedford OY towing a trailer or a Scammel recovery truck or tank transporter with WW2 tank on the back. All RC.

Would love to see some vid clip of your model in action.

Nige

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Meant to post earlier - but forgot - your DUKW is superb! Does it run as a truck, or is it 'water driven' only?

My first attempt at a RC boat!

Based on a semi-kit by Deansmarine ie fibreglass hull......and then you are on your own!

However I did purchase a couple of Italeri/Revell DUKW kits and the fine brass etch detail sheets from Eduard.

These were then scaled up to 1/12 scale and cut out of brass sheet to add detail.

Extracts from various publications provided the 'instruction' plaques on the dash which were then scaled and printed as appropriate.

I was originally going to motorise the wheels as well as using it as a boat, but........

I could not afford the extra £300 it was going to cost me for waterproof diffs,axles and steering box.

I did fit working Head/side/navigation/rear and spot lights though!

So it remains a boat with a difference!

The only short video clip I have seen of it is on Vutube Glasgow model warships weekend.

Latest project is 1:96 scale HMS Hermes.......(can be found on ModelwarshipsUK forum.)

Thanks for the encouragement

(one day I'll get around to posting pictures of my 1:72 scale Helicopter collection.....ongoing project!)

Rex

Edited by emlra
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