Liverpool Duck Tours YSJ668 Wacker Quacker
DUKW Albert Dock/Salthouse Dock Liverpool June 2003.
Since the turn of the century several of the refurbished machines operated a tourist services on, in and around the River Thames in central London and the Albert Dock/Salthouse Dock area in Liverpool. Acquired by enterprising entrepreneurs who saw a gap in the respective lucrative markets, they operated in a bright yellow livery and provided very much an alternative to the usual tourist trails This alternative was provided by a period of time spent on (or in), the River Thames or the Albert Dock, being as these vehicles floated on water due to their amphibious capabilities.
Universally known as the DUCK this amphibious truck made its first appearance in 1942 being a version of the standard American produced GMC 6X6 truck and fitted with a boat-like hull to provide buoyancy. The name was derived from the GMC model designation system. D indicated it being built in 1942; U for it being amphibious, K for it being an all wheel drive model and W denoted twin rear wheels. From this came DUKW this subsequently being shortened to Duck.
The Duck was produced profusely with 21,147 having been built by the end of the Second World War. The US Army, the British and many other allied armed forces used the vehicle type. Being based on a widely used truck chassis it was a simple amphibious vehicle to maintain and operate. Its performance was such that it could be driven over most types of terrain.
In water a single propeller at the rear was driven from the engine and propelled the duck with steering using a rudder behind the propeller. Extra steering control could be achieved by making use of the front wheels.
The driver was seated in front of the main cargo compartment, this being spacious enough to carry loads such as light artillery weapons. It was capable of firing some weapons during runs onto beaches. The driver was seated behind a folding windscreen and a canvas cover could be erected over the cargo area. For driving over soft areas such as beaches the six wheels used a central tyre pressure control system.
The duck was intended for carrying supplies from ships over beaches, but it was also used for many other purposes. One advantage was that it did not always have to unload its supplies directly onto the beach and was also able to be driven with its load well forward to where the goods were required and then retreat.
Many were used as troop transports. Some were fitted with special weapons and some were armed with heavy machine guns for self-defence or anti-aircraft use. A tow hook was fitted at the rear and some models also had a self-recovery winch. Twin bilge pumps were fitted as standard.
Many Ducks were sent to the USSR and the type so impressed the Soviet Army that the USSR produced its own copy known as the BAV-485. This differed from the original by having a small loading ramp at the rear of the cargo area. Many of these BAV-485's are still in use by the Warsaw Pact Nations and the DUKW still serves on with a few Western Armed forces. The British Army did not pension off their Ducks until the late 70's.
The Duck has given good service wherever it was used. It had some limitations in that the load carrying capacity was rather light and performance in rough water left something to be desired, but the Duck was a good sturdy vehicle that was well liked by all who came into contact with it.
Specifications: Crew 1 + 1
Weights: Unloaded 6750Kg (14880 LBS) Loaded 9097 Kg (20055 Lbs.) Payload 2347 Kg (5175 Lbs)
Powerplant 1 GMC Model 270 Engine developing 68.2 KW (91.5 bhp)
Dimensions Length 9.75 m (32.0 Ft) Width 2.51 m (8 Ft-2.9") height 2.69 m (8'-10")
Performance Maximum land speed 80 km/h (50mph) Maximum water speed 9.7 km/h (6 mph).
Liverpool Duck Tours YSJ668 Wacker Quacker
DUKW Albert Dock/Salthouse Dock Liverpool June 2003.
Since the turn of the century several of the refurbished machines operated a tourist services on, in and around the River Thames in central London and the Albert Dock/Salthouse Dock area in Liverpool. Acquired by enterprising entrepreneurs who saw a gap in the respective lucrative markets, they operated in a bright yellow livery and provided very much an alternative to the usual tourist trails This alternative was provided by a period of time spent on (or in), the River Thames or the Albert Dock, being as these vehicles floated on water due to their amphibious capabilities.
Universally known as the DUCK this amphibious truck made its first appearance in 1942 being a version of the standard American produced GMC 6X6 truck and fitted with a boat-like hull to provide buoyancy. The name was derived from the GMC model designation system. D indicated it being built in 1942; U for it being amphibious, K for it being an all wheel drive model and W denoted twin rear wheels. From this came DUKW this subsequently being shortened to Duck.
The Duck was produced profusely with 21,147 having been built by the end of the Second World War. The US Army, the British and many other allied armed forces used the vehicle type. Being based on a widely used truck chassis it was a simple amphibious vehicle to maintain and operate. Its performance was such that it could be driven over most types of terrain.
In water a single propeller at the rear was driven from the engine and propelled the duck with steering using a rudder behind the propeller. Extra steering control could be achieved by making use of the front wheels.
The driver was seated in front of the main cargo compartment, this being spacious enough to carry loads such as light artillery weapons. It was capable of firing some weapons during runs onto beaches. The driver was seated behind a folding windscreen and a canvas cover could be erected over the cargo area. For driving over soft areas such as beaches the six wheels used a central tyre pressure control system.
The duck was intended for carrying supplies from ships over beaches, but it was also used for many other purposes. One advantage was that it did not always have to unload its supplies directly onto the beach and was also able to be driven with its load well forward to where the goods were required and then retreat.
Many were used as troop transports. Some were fitted with special weapons and some were armed with heavy machine guns for self-defence or anti-aircraft use. A tow hook was fitted at the rear and some models also had a self-recovery winch. Twin bilge pumps were fitted as standard.
Many Ducks were sent to the USSR and the type so impressed the Soviet Army that the USSR produced its own copy known as the BAV-485. This differed from the original by having a small loading ramp at the rear of the cargo area. Many of these BAV-485's are still in use by the Warsaw Pact Nations and the DUKW still serves on with a few Western Armed forces. The British Army did not pension off their Ducks until the late 70's.
The Duck has given good service wherever it was used. It had some limitations in that the load carrying capacity was rather light and performance in rough water left something to be desired, but the Duck was a good sturdy vehicle that was well liked by all who came into contact with it.
Specifications: Crew 1 + 1
Weights: Unloaded 6750Kg (14880 LBS) Loaded 9097 Kg (20055 Lbs.) Payload 2347 Kg (5175 Lbs)
Powerplant 1 GMC Model 270 Engine developing 68.2 KW (91.5 bhp)
Dimensions Length 9.75 m (32.0 Ft) Width 2.51 m (8 Ft-2.9") height 2.69 m (8'-10")
Performance Maximum land speed 80 km/h (50mph) Maximum water speed 9.7 km/h (6 mph).