with fewer curves. Dates and Production Figures Production was 21,130 units between the KB's introduction in March 1942 and its discontinuation in March 1944. Mechanicals Similar to the GB, except for the changes mentioned above. LB A version of the KB with the wheelbase shortened to , the same as that of the preceding GB. This shorter chassis was also intended to be used for buses and specialized trucks. Dates The LB was introduced in April 1942 and was discontinued in December 1943. Mechanicals Similar to the KB. KC The KC was an update to the KB in response to official government specifications for a wartime truck. Nicknamed the "Toyota To-Ki", the KC used about thirty percent less steel, which was in short supply in Japan during the war, than preceding trucks. Former Toyota trucks had a torque tube driveshaft mount, but this required steel components that were difficult to obtain under wartime conditions, so the KC switched to a Hotchkiss drive. The engine cover was still metal but other body panels were made from plywood. The body design was extremely boxy, with only simple curves used on the engine cover and a flat radiator with no grill. As the war dragged on and material shortages grew worse, more of the body was built from wood, the headlamps were reduced to one, and only rear brakes were used. However, once the war ended in August 1945, Toyota continued production of the KC without these former material restrictions. One special use for the KC truck was to start aircraft engines on Japanese military airfields. A power take-off was taken from after the gearbox. It rose behind the cabin and then projected forward. This was mated to the spinner on an aircraft's propeller to start the aircraft engine. Because this version of the KC wasn't used for heavy cargo, its cargo bed was narrow and the rear wheels were singles instead of the normal doubles. Also, the cabin was very basic, having plywood sides, no doors and a canvas roof. The starter truck was unique in having running boards, due to its narrow cargo bed. Hasegawa made a 1:72 scale plastic model of the KC starter truck labelled as "Starter Truck Toyota GB", even although the real GB had a curved radiator grill and more complex bodywork. Dates and Production Figures The KC was introduced in November 1943. Production continued until March