Military trucks & more
Truck Encyclopedia is the dedicated section about softskin vehicles, either wheeled, tracked or half-tracked, from WW1 to this day: Military Trucks, Tractors, and Cars
Trucks in WW1; No mud, please
All the belligerents engaged in the great war had trucks, tractors and cars, but not systematically armored vehicles, or tanks. Paris Taxis became pivotal at the Marne in 1914, but this was just a beginning. Mobility was everywhere but on the French and Italian fronts.
Industrial Production
WW2 was really the golden age of motorization. By moving infantry rapidly by trucks, battles could be lost or won. However limitations of soft skin vehicles made imperative the development of proper armoured personal carriers at the end of the war.
Steady improvements
Nothing fancy here, only a steady development on trucks and soft skin vehicles for rear lines, with developments in terms of tire inflation, off-road capabilities, multi-fuel usage, modularity and other aspects shared between the Warsaw Pact and NATO.
The entire world as a factory
One of the most interesting developments of the cold war world was decolonization. This, after a period of uncertainty and development, led to a global economy. Trucks are produced anywhere in the world now, and the export market, and international partnerhips has blurred the borders.
Seeing cars and trucks converted into armored vehicles, embedded into the military vehicles category at large, it became obvious one day a new section would be developed to reach unarmed, unprotected trucks, cars and tractors. Trucks latter were used in WW1, WW2 and the cold war up to this day, and if less impressive than tanks, are nevertheless the only practical way to supply the latter in the field, or an entire army for that matter. The driving force behind their development is not darwinian like for tanks (over the space of a few years).
Their utility call for commonality with the civilian market, but military-grade components, equipments and light weaponry, and off-road characteristics are often the main distinguishing point. Cars on the other hand mostly carried staff, personal, and played many other roles, like the mythical Jeep. Tractors were developed early on for towing artillery (and other payloads) over the worst terrain. None were supposed to venture frontline, and therefore their tasks less risky and glorious. But experience in using them drove many innovations, which benefited to the civilian market as well. It's a topic worth studying.
Statistics
During WW2, UK and the Empire produced 47,000 armored vehicles, however that is less than the Universal carrier. Aside this, 1,475,521 softskin vehicles were manufactured, while the US delivered 2,382,311, USSR 197,100, so more than 4 million versus the Axis 408,092. This included 159,147 for Germany and 165,945 for Japan, 83,000 for Italy. And what about Cold War Modern Trucks ?.
WW2 Trucks
Allied ww2 Vehicles
-AEC Matador
-Albion WD.CX24 Tank Transporter
-Austin K2/Y Ambulance
-Austin K3
-Austin K4
-Austin K4 Dropside
-Austin K5
-Austin K6 GS
-Austin K6 Gantry
-Bedford MW.
-Bedford OXA Armoured
-Bedford OXC Semi-trailer
-Bedford OXD GS
-Bedford OYC Tanker
-Bedford OYD GS
-Bedford QLB Bofors.
-Bedford QLD GS.
-Bedford QLR/QLC Radio/com
-Bedford QLT Troop carrier
-Crossley Q-Type.
-Guy Ant
-Guy Lizard ACV
-Humber FWD.
-Karrier K6.
-Leyland Hippo Mk II
-Morris 15cwt
-Morris ML Ambulance
-Morris C8 GS
-Morris Commercial CD series.
-Morris Commercial CS8
-Morris GS Terrapin
-Scammell Pioneer SV1S/SV2S (~500)
-Bernard fuel carriers.
-Citroën Kégresse P14, P17, P19, T23, 32U, 45
-Delahaye 140
-Ford France
-Hotchkiss PKW Typ680, 686, 686 PNA.
-Isobloc buses, W843M medical bus
-Laffly V15R, S15R, S20TL, W15T.
-Latil TAR H2
-Lorraine 37L and 38L tractors
-Matford (Alsace) F917
-Peugeot 202, 402, DMA, DK, DK5
-Renault AHS, AHN, AHR, AGC, ADK, ADH, AHSs
-Saurer type 3CT
-Simca 5, 8
-Somua MCL, MCG
-Unic TU1, P107
-Trippel (Alsace) SG6
-Willeme DU10
-GAZ AA M1927 M1932 M1941
-GAZ–MM
-GAZ AAA M1937
-GAZ AAA M1940
-GAZ-60
-GAZ-65
-Ford Marmon HH6 Katiusha
-SU-1-12
-SU-4
-SU C-6
-SU-12
-Yag-6
-Yag-10
-Yag-10 SPG
-ZIS-5/V/BZ
-ZIS-5 armored
-ZIS-6
-ZIS-12
-ZIS-22M HT
-ZIS-33 HT
-ZIS 41 HT
-ZIS 42M HT
-FN-Kégresse T3
Soviet Artillery Tractors
-Komsomolets (4,041 pre-war)
-T-26-T
-STZ-3 (3,658 pre-war)
-STZ-5 (7,170 pre-war)
-Komintern (1,017 pre-war)
-Voroshilovets (228 pre-war)
-Kommunar (504 pre-war)
-YA-12 (1,666)
Soviet staff cars cars
Amphibious armoured cars
-PB-4
-PB-7
-BAD-2
-Ford V3000S
-Ford V3000A,
-Ford BB
-Ford V8-51
-Ford m1931
-Ford m1937
-G8T 2-1/2 ton 4x2 Truck
-International B2
-International model 1937
-Chevrolet m1931
-Chevrolet m1936
-Chevrolet G-506 1 1⁄2-ton 4x4
-Chevrolet G-7107 4-1/2 ton 4x4
-Chevrolet 3116 1-1/2 ton 4x2
-Chevrolet (Canada) 4x2 30cwt/1533x2 1.5 ton
-Studebaker US6x4 U7
-Studebaker US6x4 U-6
-Studebaker US6x6 U-5 6x4
-Studebaker US6 U4 bz35S 2-1/2 ton 6x6 truck
-Dodge M1931
-Dodge T203B
-Dodge WF-32
-Dodge 1⁄2-ton Ambulance
-Dodge 1⁄2-ton Carry-all
-Dodge 1⁄2-ton (Radio) Command Reconnaissance
-Dodge 1⁄2-ton Truck, Closed Cab
-Dodge 1⁄2-ton Truck, Open Cab
-Dodge 1⁄2-ton (Radio) Panel Van
-Dodge 1⁄2-ton Telephone Service (K50)
-Dodge 1⁄2-ton Trucks, Emergency Repair
-Dodge WC-51/52 (3⁄4-ton Trucks, Weapons Carrier)
-Dodge WC-53 (3⁄4-ton Carryall)
-Dodge WC-54/64 (3⁄4-ton Ambulance)
-Dodge WC-55 (3⁄4-ton Truck, M6 Gun Motor Carriage)
-Dodge WC-56/57/58 (3⁄4-ton (Radio) Command Reconnaissance)
-Dodge WC-62/3 (G-507, 11⁄2-ton, 6x6 truck)
--Dodge M6 GMC
-Harley-Davidson WLA motorcycle
-Willys MB light truck
-Ford GPA
-GMC CCKW Cargo Truck
-GMC CCKW CCKW-353
-GMC SWB CCKW-352
-GMC 1939 ACKWX 353 3 ton 6x6 truck
-GMC AFWX-353 3 ton 6x4 truck
-GMC DUKW 353 2-1/2 ton 6x6 truck
-GMC C.O.E. AFKWX
-GMC DUKW 352 2-1/2 ton 6x6 truck
-Diamond T Model 980/981 12-ton 6x4 trucks (G159)
-Diamond T Model 968 4-ton 6x6 truck (G509)
-Diamond T Model 967
-Diamond T Model 970
-Diamond T Model 972
-Diamond M26 Dragon Wagon
-Diamond M19 Tank Transporter
-Diamond T Model 980
-Diamond T 4-ton 6x6 truck
-Autocar U8144T 5/6-ton 4x4 truck
-Brockway/LaFrance 6-ton 6x6 truck, G512, 514, 547, 569
-White/Corbitt 6 ton 6x6 Prime Mover
-Ward LaFrance 4-ton 6x6 Cargo SWB w/w, 6-ton 6x6 Chassis w/w, 10-ton 6x6 Heavy Wrecker M1, M1A1, 10-ton 6x4 Tractor 1
-Four Wheel Drive Auto Company (FWD) SU-COE 5-6 ton 4x4
-White 4-ton 6x6 Cargo SWB w/w
-White 4-ton 6x6 Wrecker w/w 6
-White 4-6-ton, 4x4 Tractor
-White 6-ton 6x6 Chassis w/w for Bridge Erector
-White 6-ton 6x6 Chassis Van
-White 6-ton 6x6 Prime Mover w/w
-White 6-ton 6x6 Tank Gas 2000 Gal
-White 6-ton 6x6 Tractor
-White 10-ton 6x4 GSLC
-White M3 Armored Scout Car
-White M2 Half Track
-White M3 Half Track
-Inl KR-11 5 ton 4x2 dump truck
-Inl M5-6 318 2-1/2 ton 6x6 swb
-Mack NR15 10-ton 6x4
-Reo 28 XS 10-ton 6x4
Axis Trucks
-Opel Maultier
-Mercedes-Benz L3000
-Krupp Protze Kfz.19
-Krupp Protze Kfz.21
-Krupp Protze Kfz.68
-Krupp Protze Kfz.69
-Krupp Protze Kfz.70
-Krupp Protze Kfz.81
-Krupp Protze Kfz.21
-Krupp Protze Kfz.83
-Borgward B 3000
-Ford B3000S, V3000S, V3000A series
-Ford model BB
-Ford model V8-51
-Tatra 111
-Skoda Rad Schlepper Ost RSO Porsche 175
-Steyr Type 2000A
-Einheits Lkw Kfz.62
-Krupp LKW L3
-Bussing-Nag 4500
-Opel Blitz Omnibus
-Bussing-Nag L
-Mercedes-Benz L1500
-Horch 81
-Horch 108
-Beute Studebaker
-Krupp L3H
Hanomag SS-100
-Beute Ford B3000 S, V3000S, V3000A
-Beute Ford model BB
-Beute Ford model V8-51
-Beute Tatra 111
L. Trucks (Autocarro Leggere)
-Breda-32
-Breda-40
-Breda-41
-ОМ-32 Autocarretta da Montagna
-ОМ-36DM
-Camioneta SPA TL.37
-Camioneta AS.43
-SPA CL39
-SPA ТМ40
-Fiat 618
Med. Trucks (Autocarro Medio)
-Alfa Romeo 430RE-Alfa Romeo 800RE
-Breda Dovunque-41
-Bianchi Miles
-Ceirano-50СМ
-FIAT-626 NM
-Isotta Fraschini D65
-Isotta Fraschini D80
-SPA Dovunque-35
-SPA Dovunque-41
-SPA AS.37
-SPA-38R
-Autocarro Dovunque SPA 41/42
H. Trucks (Autocarro Gigante)
-FIAT-633NM-FIAT-634N
-FIAT-666
-Fiat 661
-Lancia Ro
-Lancia 3Ro
-Lancia EsaRo
-ОМ Taurus
-ОМ Titano
-Autocarreta Mod.35
-Autocarri Unificati Ursus
Staff Cars
-Alfa Romeo 6С2500 Coloniale-Fiat 508M/CM Ballila
-Fiat 1100 (1937) (Balilla-1100 Coloniale)
-Lancia Aprilia Coloniale
-Bianchi VM 6C
-Fiat 2800 CMC
Artillery tractors
-FIAT SPA TL37-Pavesi P4/100 MODELLO 30A
-Breda TP 32
-SPA TM 40
-Fiat OCI 708 CM
-Breda TP40
-L.3 trattore leggero (hypothetical) for da. 47/32
-Pavesi Р4.31 (L140)
-Fiat 727 - half-track artillery tractor
-Semicingolato Breda Tipo 61 (SdKfz-7 under licence)
Motorcycles
-Benelli 500 M36/VLM-Bianchi Supermil 500
-Gilera 500 LTE
-Moto Guzzi Alce/Trialce
-Volugrafo Aermoto 125
Trucks
-Toyota 4x4 Su-Ki (Amphibious truck)-Isuzu Type 94 truck
-Type 95 Mini-truck
-Type 97 4-Wheeled Truck
-Type 1 6-Wheeled Truck
-Type 2 Heavy Truck
-Toyota KB/KC Truck
-Nissan 80 Truck
-Nissan 180 Truck
Tractors
-Type 92 5 t Prime Mover "I-Ke"-Type 98 6 t Prime Mover "Ro-Ke"
-Type 92 8 t Prime Mover "Ni-Ku"
-Type 95 13 t Prime Mover "Ho-Fu"
-Type 94 4 t Prime Mover "Yo-Ke"
-Type 98 4 t Prime Mover "Shi-Ke"
-Type 96 AA Gun Prime Mover
-Type 98 20 mm AA Machine Cannon Carrier
-Type 98 Half-tracked Prime Mover "Ko-Hi"
-Type 98 20 mm AA Half-Track Vehicle
-Experimental Heavy Gun Tractor Chi-Ke
-Experimental Crawler Truck
-T G Experimental Crawler Truck
-Fordson Prime Mover
-Pavesi Gun Tractor
-50 hp Gun Tractor
-Komatsu 3 ton Tractor
-Light Prime Mover
-Clarton Prime Mover
-Holt 30
Staff cars
-Toyota AA/AB/AC-Type 93 6/4-Wheeled Passenger Car
-Type 95 Passenger Car "Kurogane"
-Type 98 Passenger Car
-Model 97 Nissan Staff Car, Nissan 70
Motorcycles
-Rikuo Motorcycle-Rikuo Type 97 Motorcycle
-Rikuo Type 93 side car
Misc.
-Type 94 Ambulance-Type 94 Repair Vehicle
Tank Encyclopedia's Softskin Section
A natural link
Tank Encyclopedia covered many armoured cars and tank hunters based on sofskin vehicles. Apart trucks/cars such as the Kübelwagen, Schwimmvagen or DUKW, this dedicated sub-site is also about tractors (arty tractors notably), tracked but softskin.
Illustrations
200+ Dedicated illustrations of trucks and cars has been made since years, and new ones are coming, so these articles would have their fair shares of useful references.
For Modellers
...And because trucks and cars, notably in WW2 are a subject of interest for modellers, especially those playing with dioramas, these illustrations will come handy for inspiration.