[1100D]

No Not this kind....



But somewhat similar.

Here the Duck actually is a nickname attached to what was technically called the DUKW. D standing for 1942, the 4th year of the second world war, each year signifying an alphabet in order, 1939 being A. U standing for a utility Vehicle. K standing for all wheel drive. W denoting two powered rear axles. In other words a 6x6.




But what it does not say is that, you can take pictures showing diverse visuals such as the ones shown below without having to change seats





One more comparison




Ha Ha presenting the Duck. This is one of the last ones built in 1945, hasn't seen much military action, but was finally able to redeem itself in as late as hurricane Katrina performing rescue and recovery duties.






Obvious question. How does it do it?
The rear axles and the propeller, radar et all.



The Engine resides here



An Inline six of 4.1 litre displacement.



How does it get air for the radiator? Its reverse! It gets air from here into the engine bay



The fan actually channels the air out into the cavity in front which also houses the exhaust, which is vent to the left side.
Here are the controls



cntd

[1100D]

The DUKW (Aka Duck) actually drove pretty well for a 63 year old machine, went upto an indicated 50mph on land quite easily. Would still have room for 5-8 more mph and with favourable wind conditions would go upto a high speed of 65mph. But that was not the point, the driver demonstrated its ability to climb steep gradients with effortless ease, that too having a mass of 7.5 tonnes.

The Landing sequence









Making a splash











Some random shots




The friend of mine accompanying me got the opportunity to actually test drive it. The driver simply chose him. He has not driven a car in his life, what a way to debut!







All in all, an amazing experience. Oh! Forgot to mention we took this ride at Grapevine Texas a few miles off Dallas, in order to passtime on a mundane Sunday.



But the real fun would be -

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Absolutely Fantastic Anirban

[reignofchaos]

Awesome report and pics. Had seen a feature about this on Discovery Channel quite a while ago. I was always fascinated by how easily it transitioned from land to water and then again back to land. At that time, it didn't seem much but after seeing the two episodes of top gear on building amphibious vehicles, I realized how much of a challenge this would have been .

[abhijitaparadh]

I have seen a lot of such ducks doing regular tourist city tours in Boston, Toronto and in New York.
Absolutely fantastic experience I must say, especially the feeling that you get when it enters waters with a splash!

[ashthedivx]

Distinguished DUCK

Fantastic pictures and scenery out there. It actually feel very different when while moving on a river side road you suddenly get into the river and then once again the vehicle comes to road suddenly, Something like James bond movies

Does it had the odo meter too

[1100D]

Originally Posted by abhijitaparadh

I have seen a lot of such ducks doing regular tourist city tours in Boston, Toronto and in New York.
Absolutely fantastic experience I must say, especially the feeling that you get when it enters waters with a splash!

The first time it splashed, I was taken aback by the force with which it decelerated, moreover I was also leaning to catch the splash. Anyway both me and my cam made it back.

Originally Posted by ashthedivx

Distinguished DUCK

Fantastic pictures and scenery out there. It actually feel very different when while moving on a river side road you suddenly get into the river and then once again the vehicle comes to road suddenly, Something like James bond movies

Does it had the odo meter too

Distinguished Duck!! DD? Ha Ha

Well a good question!!

But look at this (Lucky bloke he got to drive this)



Although this does not indicate whether the Odo is rolling or not, but let me tell you, it does. It logs the equivalent land miles and its quite logical.

One more feature which was omitted on this particular DUKW was of onboard tyre pressure adjustment system. This group has a second DUKW which still has it. If I have time, will check that out too. So much for technology available in the 40's.

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

Absolutely Fantastic Anirban

Thank you very much.

Originally Posted by reignofchaos

Awesome report and pics. Had seen a feature about this on Discovery Channel quite a while ago. I was always fascinated by how easily it transitioned from land to water and then again back to land. At that time, it didn't seem much but after seeing the two episodes of top gear on building amphibious vehicles, I realized how much of a challenge this would have been .

You wouldn't beleive, I virtually had to coax people to join me. They had seen it on Discovery and thought, okay whats the big deal. The real experience was terrific.

[snaronikar]

Awesome pics. A vehicle going on both the land and water. Seen these type vehicles only in James Bond movies. Now a real one.

BTW, how does the differential work. Will the water not seep inside it. Although it may be water tight with the gaskets all around the joints making it air tight, but its truly amazing. Secondly, will teh same engine work on land and water?

[1100D]

Originally Posted by snaronikar

Awesome pics. A vehicle going on both the land and water. Seen these type vehicles only in James Bond movies. Now a real one.

BTW, how does the differential work. Will the water not seep inside it. Although it may be water tight with the gaskets all around the joints making it air tight, but its truly amazing. Secondly, will teh same engine work on land and water?

Yes, its the same driveshaft upto the second joint, after which there is a split, one shaft goes to the propeller another to the first of the rear axle (seen from the front). Now either or both of these shafts can be engaged or disengaged.

[Mpower]

Pretty nice. Saw some of these floating around in the Seattle bay where I was sometime ago.

[BlackPearl]

Amazing report and pics. Never knew such a thing existed. By the way what is the make of the inline 6 engine?

[1100D]

Originally Posted by BlackPearl

Amazing report and pics. Never knew such a thing existed. By the way what is the make of the inline 6 engine?

General Motors' GMC.

Amphibious versions of your Jeep, popularly known as "Seep" (Sea going Jeep!!) has also been in existance.

HowStuffWorks "1942 Seep Jeep"

But this would be based on a Ford GPW.

[aah78]

Very nice!

I've seen a lot of these around but unfortunately never taken a tour.

If I'm not mistaken, these Ducks make a small cameo in one of the later epsiodes of the Band of Brothers mini-series but they're only shown travelling on the road.

[iraghava]

Fantastic thread Anirban!! Must have been one hell of an experience & one Karl would kill for surely!!

[smsrini]

These duck tours are also available in Singapore.

DUCK & HiPPO Group - DUCKtours