Steering Wheel application

f35jsf · Post by **f35jsf** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:35 am

Hello.
My name is Paul and I live in Poland.
I am interested in history especially WW2. I am collecting souvenirs from WW2 and I have the question.

My grandfather did the manual press:

He told me the steering wheel was from the tractor. Long I wasn't interested in her to yesterday, when you I read "Alied Axis #2" and I saw that DUKW had the same steering wheel.

My steering wheel has the 50cm (20") diameter.

Whether you can confirm that it from DUKW?
It is possible that this steering wheel (20") is from the different truck or it is a post-war product?

I would like to have the 100% of the certainty, because on these lands it is a quite unique vehicle.

Thank for any help.

I apologise for my bad English.

Paul.

thierryb · Post by **thierryb** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:15 pm

Hello Paul,

You are the lucky owner of a WorldWar II GMC steering wheel. It was probably build between 1943 and 1945. As many as I know (but I’m not sure for 100%) it is the same steering wheel for both cckw and Dukw 2 ½ ton trucks. I have the same model in my steering wheels collection; have a look at http://thierry.becker.free.fr/VolantsGMC.htm
Do you know more about its story? When and where did your grandfather found it?

Thierry.

Bill_Wolf · Post by **Bill_Wolf** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 7:27 pm

Paul,

A very interesting story.

I too would like to hear more.

I have the identical steering wheel to yours on both my CCKW and Chevy Fire Truck.

I also have a used spare in my collection painted yellow. I was told it was from a DUKW. It is the stamped steel version rather than the cast that you have pictured.

Bill

f35jsf · Post by **f35jsf** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 5:17 am

Thanks for Your help.

When I searched for the information of course I found the side:
http://thierry.becker.free.fr/VolantsGMC.htm
Thierry I wanted to write to you when I couldn't wait until the answer comes here

but fortunately world is small in the Internet

About story:
Unfortunately, my grandfather died before I began to seriously interested in history.
I wouldn't think that it is steering wheel from the military vehicle especially American so I didn't ask questions.
I know only that the parts of this press are not from my area where a lot happened during the war.
I don't know anything more.

Now I looking for land lease documents in which they will be information on the USSR units that got CCKW and DUKW.

Meanwhile I must renovate steering wheel, paint it and buy the rest of the truck

I already have the paper model:

Thanks again for Your help

Paul.

PS
I have small suggestion for Thierry.
On your site
http://thierry.becker.free.fr/VolantsGMC.htm
an information about dimensions would be useful.
But it is only suggestion

thierryb · Post by **thierryb** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:01 am

Adding the size of the wheels is a good suggestion, Paul… Will do it when I will have some free time.
As you have one of the more important part of the truck

, you must of course buy the rest. Cckw’s are great trucks and are not too hard to find.

Thierry.

f35jsf · Post by **f35jsf** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 5:25 am

Hellow againg.

Recently I cleaned a little bit the steering wheel and I found markings:

Look like "["

"S.
14"

I also found, probably, original green paint.

Do You know codes of factories producing parts to CCKW??

PS
@Thierryb
good job

thierryb · Post by **thierryb** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:17 am

Interesting found!!!!!
I can’t remember having ever found a stamped marking on the wheels I have restored but I will have a closer look next time. Not sure, but I think there are some cast markings on the back sides…
I measured the diameter of all the different types of steering wheel and found out that they all have a 20inch outside diameter. Inside Diameter vary depending thickness of the Bakelite or Wood.
Chevy wheels are 18inch OD

Thierry.