I have a ICM Studebaker that I am getting ready to build but have a question as to its use.I know that about half of the 200,000 built were sent to Russia and that at least some were used on the Alaskan Highway Project as my father drove them up there and have a few photos.The kit has markings for a 8th AF unit but did any Army units use them in Europe?Thanks…
At one time Studebaker was a very popular brand of auto and truck. Many were used during the war, they just don’t get the recognition I believe due to the GMC-Chevrolet-Ford hold/fasination that we have to the auto market. Dodge trucks were also used as well as Autocar, Mack, White, Brockway, Ward Lafrance and FWD. I think you would be safe using a Studebaker truck in Europe.[2cnts]
Never say never, but from what I’ve been able to find, most of them went to the USSR under Lend-Lease. If you consider the Soviet Army in Europe, the answer would be “Yes.”
[:)]
The government contract to Studebaker was expressly to make a truck for Lend Lease shipment to the Soviet Union. I’ll look at my resources but I don’t think you’ll find any in US service during the war at all.
I believe some were used stateside, especially during the construction of the Alaska-Canadian Highway.
I bow to T26E4, [:D[ and retract my [2cnts].
One side note:
The French received a few trucks ( Don’t know who made them )with Cyrillic metal data tags.
In 1944/ 1945 in France, . my father tried in vain to convince some Fench folks that the trucks they received were manufactured in the good old USA.
The French, of course, wouldn’t listen !
Mer de !
Les gens fous !
According to my Observers Guide to Military Vehicles ,Studebaker produced something like 197,000 over half of which went to Russia.My father drove them in Alaska and said he liked them.He also mentioned Whites and Corbitts being there also.I did see pictures of what appears to be Studes on the Burma Road but never saw any photos of them in Western Europe