Posted by Gordon on Monday, December 09, 2002 at 3:51PM :
In Reply to: Re: WD-21 - found the photo. posted by Russ/Wyo on Monday, December 09, 2002 at 2:32PM :
The photo looks like a brand new truck, totally unmolested, probably a factory shot. The headlights are masked and the colour could well be OD - 'brightwork' on the grille is definitely painted over, as are hubcaps.
In one of the Vanderveen 'Observers Military Vehicles' books the same photo is described as 'T116 built for the Canadian Army'
From looking at it, the headlight position, grille trim (can you see - it's got the lower horizontal bars too but they too are painted over?)radiator top shell mascot, and DODGE signs on the hood sides are right for a '41. Note also sealed beam size / type of headlight shells, but no cowl lights or extra running lights of any other kind.
I reckon this is a 1941 model from right at the end of 1940, and this is the factory shot. I have no army records for it, but I think VD 21 chassis production ended at 9,285,132 and WD 21 production started at 9,286,180, so this truck should be somewhere around the gap of 1000+ chassis.
Gordon