Ducks come from DUKW, a military acronym that designated the vehicle as amphibious military personnel carriers.
DUKW's were created following the attack on Pearl Harbour as a means to transport supplies from ships to areas that did not have port facilities. DUKW's were first used operationally in Europe during the invasion of Sicily. Nearly 90% of all supplies came in by DUKW on the vital second and third days of the invasion. D-Day brought a force of 2000 DUKW's to the Normandy coasts. The fleet was an essential element in the strategic surprise of the enemy, which assumed the Allies needed a port to make an effective landing. Considered to be one of the most successful amphibious vehicles ever made, there were ultimately over 21,000 produced by a work force consisting mainly of women working in the war effort.
DUKW Details
In-line single tire drive wheels on all axles.
270 C.I. GMC motor
372 inches long (31')
Height - Top up 106"
Width - 99"
Wheel base - 164"
Ground clearance - Hull 18" - Axle 11 1/2"
Loaded Water-Line Length - 344"
Rated capacity – 5000 lbs.
Ring mounted 50-cal machine gun.
Weight 14,800–Lbs.
Rated at, governed, 6.4 mph water and 50 mph land.
$10,800.00 cost.
For more DUKW history and Information see DUCK_History.doc (Word 97 Format)
1996 saw Dave purchase his own
DUKW and in April we went off to collect it. It is a very fine
example of the DUKW with very good bodywork and all original fittings
and accessories. The drive home was very chilly with the DUKW
being left hand drive and me sitting out on the right hand side
as lookout.
June saw Dave and I paying a visit to the British Army Royal Engineers
water training site where we road and water tested the new DUKW
and found some large leaks !!!
June and early July saw a lot of work and preparation on the DUKW
as Dave had been invited to participate in 'Amphib 96', a rally
for amphibious vehicle from Europe, meeting in the Lake District
of Northern England.
Dave and I together with a fellow enthusiast, Neil set off on
the Friday with our wives, family and dogs following on the Saturday.
A 9 hour drive in damp weather saw us arrive on a campsite in
the Lake District.
There in the wooded campsite were gathered 7 more DUKW's, 8 GPW
amphibious Jeeps, a Russian GAZ (a copy of the GPW), two 1960's
Amphicars and an amphibious estate wagon similar to a Land Rover.
The owners came from Italy, France, Holland, Belgium and Great
Britain.
Saturday the rest of our gang arrived and after a briefing and
social evening it was off to bed to look forward to what Sunday
was going to bring.
Sunday saw us collect together and set off in convoy through some
very narrow roads flanked by some very solid dry-stone walls around
Lake Windermere to a public slipway for us to go afloat. The looks
on the peoples faces as they were launching their Yachts and Power
boats as we drove up, in, and away !!!
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