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| December 2004 |
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Originally built to transport soldiers for
the Normandy landings in World War II, the DUKW has found a new lease of
life in cities round the world providing sightseeing tours.
London is a perfect place for these creatures - half bus, half boat - to
demonstrate their capabilities. The tour itself lasts just
over an hour and is supplemented by an offbeat and occasionally irreverent
commentary. It passes most of the major sites in London
including the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. The
bonus is a trip on the Thames, which although brief is certainly worth
it. What would the brave troops have made of all this ?
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| Over
land and sea |
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| Photo
Facts: Titania (RSL602) at the Millennium Wheel; Cleopatra (ESL679)
turns on the Thames at the Houses of Parliament; on board Titania (RSL602)
as it speeds (at 5 knots) on the Thames. |
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| Profile |
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Facts: Titania (RSL602) front; back; and inside |
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| Vessels |
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Facts: Titania is complemented by Cleopatra (ESL679); and
Beatrice (ESL666) |
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| Like
a DUKW to water |
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Facts: A qualified river pilot takes over the controls for the ride on
the Thames. Entering the water beside the MI6 building; on the
Thames; and leaving the water - all on Titania. |
| DUKW |
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| See the DUKW video here
(takes about one minute to load - be patient!) |
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| All photos taken in October
2004. Click to enlarge. |
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| DUKW
Facts |
 | DUKW stands for D (model year 1942), U
(amphibian), K (all wheel drive), W (dual rear axles) |
| 20,000 were built by General Motors in
the USA |
| Capacity of 25 soldiers |
| 50 mph on land, 5 knots on water |
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| Links |
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