THE DUCKS TODAY
Original Wisconsin Ducks

Today, perhaps the most celebrated, if not the most intriguing vehicles of World War II are appropriately found in one of the top travel destinations in the Midwest - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The only battles fought here, however, are about whom gets to sit in the front seat of an "Original Wisconsin Duck." After the last D.U.K.W.s (nicknamed "Ducks" by World War II GIs) were withdrawn from military service in 1958, the vehicles, famous for their ability to cross land and water, were used in a variety of ways in the United States and abroad.

Although many of the Ducks were eventually bought by municipalities, the Coast Guard and American enthusiasts, it is estimated that today there are fewer than 300 operational Ducks in the country. The largest flock of Ducks in the United States belongs to the Original Wisconsin Ducks in Wisconsin Dells. The tour started in 1946 with 36 ducks and has now grown to more than 90 vehicles.

The seven-ton Ducks are impressive vehicles, measuring eight-feet wide, 10½-feet high and 32-feet long, with the capacity to seat up to 25 passengers. (Original Wisconsin Ducks carry a maximum of 21 people per ride). On land, the Duck is powered by a 100-horsepower, 270 cubic inch GMC truck engine, allowing for travel at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. In water, the Ducks float like a boat and can be propelled up to 11 knots per hour. Each Original Wisconsin Duck bears the name of a famous military leader, such as General MacArthur, or a famous battle in which ducks participated, such as Normandy Beach.

Ducks are rarely found in operational condition. Usually, it will take a staff of mechanics two months to prepare a vehicle for operational use. The Ducks often require corresponding parts, which were predominantly packaged between 1950-1952 and stored in Europe. When finished, the Ducks are essentially the same as when they were used to transport troops and equipment to the beaches of Normandy and the Pacific, except for some modifications for non-military use.

An Original Wisconsin Ducks tour travels across land and water for a beautiful view of the Dells (derived from the French "dalles" meaning "slab like" or "tile rock") of the Wisconsin River. The Dells are the magnificent products of a prehistoric era. The land surrounding the riverbed was carved out by a Cambrian glacier and subsequently shaped by millions of years of changing climate and water conditions -- creating one of the most breathtaking natural geological sites in the country.

The one-hour, 8½-mile Duck ride offers a unique look into Wisconsin's history, traveling the same route loggers rafted more than 100 years ago. Riders pass the remnants of native Indian tribes, such as the Ho-Chunk and the Mound Builders, and ghost towns like the once thriving City of Newport.