Toby Wilson
Head of Department
LOT 143 †
c.1945 DUKW 6x6 Amphibious Utility Registration no. not registered Chassis no. B269
Sold for £68,700 inc. premium
Lot 143†
c.1945 DUKW 6x6 Amphibious Utility
c.1945 DUKW 6x6 Amphibious Utility
Registration no. not registered
Chassis no. B269
Registration no. not registered
Chassis no. B269
*Iconic WW2 amphibious vehicle
*Offered for sale by the Ministry of Defence
*More than 60 years in military service
*Left-hand drive
*Offered for sale by the Ministry of Defence
*More than 60 years in military service
*Left-hand drive
Footnotes
One of the most instantly recognisable military vehicles to emerge from WW2, the amphibious DUKW was developed in the USA by the National Defense Research Committee and the Office of Scientific Research and Development. The DUKW prototype was based on a GMC truck chassis, to which was added a watertight hull and propeller. After initial rejection by the US military, the DUKW entered production at General Motors' GMC subsidiary in 1942. Powered by a GMC 270ci (4.4-litre) inline six-cylinder engine, the 6½-ton DUKW had a top speed of 50mph on the road and 5½ knots (6.3mph) on water. A noteworthy feature was the means to vary tyre pressures from within the cab, this being the first use of such technology.
The DUKW was not an armoured fighting vehicle, although some carried Browning machine guns; rather, it was used for ferrying supplies to invasion beachheads and evacuating the wounded. It was first deployed in the Pacifica Theatre, while its first use in Europe was during the invasion of Sicily. Many DUKWs saw service on the Normandy beaches following D-Day. A little over 21,000 had been made by the war's end.
After WW2, DUKWs remained in service with military formations around the world, including with the UK's Royal Marines, which operated this example (registered '12RN30') at its Amphibious Trials and Training establishment at Instow, North Devon. Retro-fitted with a 5.9-litre Cummins diesel engine, 'B269' has been in military service for more than 60 years and is probably the longest-serving military vehicle ever offered for sale. It comes to market directly from the Ministry of Defence, and is the very last DUKW to be released from UK military service. The vehicle has covered a total of 3,983 miles, which represents 522 hours of running time. A unique opportunity, this DUKW is the dream acquisition for the military vehicle collector, as well as being a potential promotional tool - there simply is no cooler vehicle from which to disembark at a riverside pub! Please note 20% VAT will be added to the hammer price if remaining in the EU.
Saleroom notices
Please note transport charges for this lot will be at quoted rates for commercial/abnormal sized vehicles.
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- 9 September 2016, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
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| † | Taxable |
| VAT at the prevailing rate on Hammer Price and Buyer's Premium. |