Studebaker US6 became the most massive vehicle delivered under the Lend-Lease from the USA to the USSR. During the war years 100 thousand of these trucks were sent to the Soviet Union. For comparison, the well-known Jeep Wyllis was sent to Russia in the amount of 52,000 vehicles. This car made a huge contribution to the victory on the eastern front. It was used not only as a truck for transportation of soldiers and equipment, but also as a tractor and even as a platform for the Katyusha rocket, artillery system.
Given the above, it seems unusual that this vehicle was not widely used in the U.S. Army. Of the 219,882 Studebaker US6 produced in the States, 7088 were shipped to Britain and another 3462 to France. In the U.S. this truck was used in the construction of the highway to Alaska.
By US standards of those years, the Studebaker US6 engine was not the best. This was largely the reason why the US6 did not become a US Army truck, but it was definitely the best truck a Russian soldier could drive in WWII. The trucks sent to Russia were not delivered in their entirety, but were assembled at ZIS, GAZ and Minsk automobile plants. In Studebaker engines designed for Russia, the compression ratio was reduced from more than 6 to 5.82:1. This decision allowed to reduce the requirements to the quality of fuel.
It was very important that most of the Studebaker US6 trucks were all-wheel drive. The 6*6 wheel arrangement was very useful in the conditions of Russian roads, where you had to drive on muddy after rain. Only 87,742 trucks had only rear axle drive, most of the trucks were all-wheel drive.
Appearance and photo.
Note the rectangular shape of the front fenders. They have a functional purpose and can serve as a seat for two soldiers. So on two, front fenders can ride 4 people. The front headlights are protected by special grilles. I think they could hardly deflect a bullet, but in conditions when it is necessary to get through the off-road, or when driving in a column on gravel, such grids can protect the headlights from a branch, or a stone flying out from under the wheel of the vehicle ahead.
Many vehicles were equipped with winches, which further increased the cross-country ability. With curb weight of 4505 kg, the declared payload was 2,500 kg. The recommended payload was higher – 4.0 tons, although in ’45 it was lowered to 3.5 tons. On a good road with a flat surface the Studebaker truck could carry 5 tons of cargo. In the conditions of war it was necessary to quickly deliver as much cargo as possible.
With a body length of 6366mm, the width of US6 is 2235mm, height is 2210mm, ground clearance is 248mm. Of course, this truck is based on a frame, unfortunately I did not find any data about its thickness. Fuel tanks hold 150 liters. This fuel reserve provides a range of 400km.
The exhaust pipe could be taken out to the rear wheels area (I tried to show it on the photo).
Interior and equipment.
The front panel does not have any trim, which was the norm for a truck of those years. The clutch and brake pedals have a round shape. With the help of a special mechanism you can raise the windshield, – it is very useful in summer. Engine temperature is displayed not in degrees Celsius, but in degrees Fahrenheit. So the working temperature is 170-185 degrees.
Today such a truck seems utilitarian, but for Russian soldiers, next to their cars (which were also created with a look back at American, but earlier trucks) it was the pinnacle of comfort.
Engine and specifications of 1941 Studebaker US6.
With a cylinder bore of 101.6mm and a piston stroke of 107.95mm, the Studebaker inline six-cylinder engine had a displacement of 5.24 liters. In terms of displacement, this six-cylinder engine is smaller than the big six installed in the 1927 Studebaker President.
This motor has a gear-driven timing system, which in itself provides a very high level of reliability. The crankshaft of the engine is mounted on 7 supports. The engine holds 7.5 liters of oil, and the cooling system holds 18.5 liters of liquid. The engine is powered by a carburetor – crankcase. Spark plugs were installed from Champion.
Maximum power of 1941 Studebaker US6 is 95 horsepower, maximum speed – 72 kilometers per hour. The transmission was a 5-speed, manual. The first gear was very tractive, but in addition, the US6 was equipped with a reduction gear. This truck consumed 38 liters of fuel per 100 km.
The brakes were drum brakes, with hydraulic drive and vacuum booster.
This is a legendary truck, which may not have been in great demand and interest in the U.S., but made a huge contribution to the victory in the war.
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