COBI Building Set HC WW2 DUKW Amphibia (COBI-3110)

Product detailed description

Model kit of the military amphibious vehicle DUKW Amphibia GMC, which participated in the Allied landing operations in Normandy. The assembled model features a rotating propeller, steerable front axle wheels, and a winch at the rear of the vehicle. The package includes barrels and fuel cans, a spare wheel, sandbags, an ammunition crate, razor wires, and a figure of an American soldier equipped with binoculars and a set of weapons.

Number of figures: 1 pc
Dimensions when assembled: 27.5 x 7.5 x 8.5 cm
Scale: 1:35
Box dimensions (packaging): 40 x 28 x 6 cm
Number of bricks: 508 pcs
Package weight: 680 g
Recommended age: 8+
Bricks can be combined with another well-known brand: Yes
Material: Plastic
Collection: World War II

Interesting facts:
The amphibious vehicle DUKW, called Duck by the manufacturer, was built in 1942 on the chassis of the CCKW truck.
The development of the vehicle involved the company Sparkman & Stephens, which had experience in building vessels, and the automotive company General Motor.
The result was a six-wheeled vehicle/vessel with four-wheel drive and a propeller.
The American army initially rejected the amphibious vehicle, but eventually, as often happens, chance led to success.  
When a strong storm hit Provincetown in 1942, the coast guard set out on a rescue mission for a small fishing boat. The storm was so strong that within moments the rescuers themselves needed rescuing. Employees of a nearby factory, where the DUKW prototype was stored, took the vehicle to the sea and, despite strong winds and rain, safely transported all individuals to shore. This success convinced the US Defense Committee, and soon mass production began.
Good stability on water, sufficient speed, and cargo capacity made the Duck an ideal vehicle for the Allied landing in Normandy.
Many DUKW vehicles were deployed to the Omaha Beach sector, from where iconic historical photographs are known.
By 1945, approximately 21,147 units were produced in several factories. 
More than 500 vehicles were sent to the Soviet Union as aid from the Allies. After the end of World War II, the Soviets copied the vehicle and continued its production as BAV 485.
The last vehicles were decommissioned from army service only in 1982. However, they remained in operation as a popular attraction for transporting tourists to remote locations.

Technical specifications of the original:
Dimensions: length 9.45 m, width 2.44 m, height 2.69 m
Weight: 6,749 kg (empty)
Power unit: 6-cylinder gasoline engine GMC model 270 68 kW
Maximum speed: on road 80 km/h, in water 10 km/h
Fuel tank capacity: 212 l
Road range: up to 640 km
Main armament: M2 Browning machine gun
Crew: driver + 24 soldiers or 2,300 kg of cargo