146 | THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL SALE
One of the most instantly recognisable military vehicles to emerge from
WW2, the amphibious D<KW was developed in the <SA by the National
Defense Research Committee and the Office of Scientific Research and
Development. The D<KW prototype was based on a GMC truck chassis,
to which was added a watertight hull and propeller. After initial rejection
by the <S military, the D<KW entered production at General Motors
GMC subsidiary in 1942. Powered by a GMC 270ci (4.4-litre) inline six-
cylinder engine, the ñ-ton D<KW had a top speed of 50mph on the
road and 5ñ knots ( .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 D<KW 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. 0t was first deployed
in the Pacifica Theatre, while its first use in Europe was during the
invasion of Sicily. Many D<KWs saw service on the Normandy beaches
following D-Day. A little over 21,000 had been made by the war's end.
After WW2, D<KWs remained in service with military formations
around the world, including with the <Ks Royal Marines, which
operated this example (registered 12RN30) at its Amphibious Trials
and Training establishment at 0nstow, 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. 0t comes to market directly from the
Ministry of Defence, and is the very last D<KW to be released from <K
military service. The vehicle has covered a total of 3,983 miles, which
represents 522 hours of running time.A unique opportunity, this D<KW 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 E<.
£30,000 - 40,000
€35,000 - 47,000143 †
C.1945 DUKW 6X6 AMPHIBIOUS UTILITY
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