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M8 Greyhound Armoured Car
During the early years of World War Two the United states had developed several armoured cars to meet the requirements of the British Army. In the case of the M8 it was designed for use by the U.S. Army, and was based upon designs first offered by the Ford Motor Company in 1941. The vehicle was powered by a Hercules 110 hp engine and had an excellent performance  and a low silhouette which was an asset in the reconnaissance role. The main drawback of the vehicle was its light armour and open topped turret. The M8 was first used in action by U.S. forces in 1943 during the invasion of Sicily, and served with U.S.
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 8.6 tons  Dimensions: Length 16 ft 5 ins, Width 8 ft 4 ins, Height 7 ft 5 ins Powerplant: 1 x Hercules 110 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 55 mph, Range 200 miles Armament: 1 x 37 mm gun, 1 x 0.30 + 1 x 0.50 inch machine guns Armour: Maximum 15 mm Crew: 4
forces for the rest of the war in Europe and the Pacific. In the U.K. the vehicle was originally rejected in 1942 as British manufacturers were adequately meeting demand at the time. However this decision was reversed in 1943 and agreements were signed for 5,000 vehicles, in the event only 496 were delivered before the rest of the order was cancelled. In British service the vehicle was named Greyhound, but was unpopular with its crews due to its weak armour and vulnerability to mines. Apart from the U.S. Army the largest user of the M8, was France who received nearly 900 by the end of 1945.
Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 8,523
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Coventry Armoured Car The Coventry armoured car was a collaboration between Rootes and Daimler to produce a design to succeed the Humber and Daimler armoured cars in the British Army. Like the Daimler, a secondary driving position was provided at the rear of the interior with the transmission arranged to allow five speeds in either direction. The vehicle utilised the same general layout of the Daimler but was of larger proportions, this time being fitted with a more conventional suspension and drive system to ease production. The prototype had a three man turret fitted with a 2 pounder gun and a coaxial Besa machine S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 10.3 tons Dimensions: Length 15 ft 5 ins, Width 8 ft 8 ins, Height 7 ft 9 ins Powerplant: 1 x 175 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 42 mph, Range 250 miles Armament: 1 x 2 pounder gun, 1 x 7.7 mm Besa machine gun Armour: Maximum 14 mm Crew: 4 gun. The turret had been designed so the weapon could be up-gunned to a 6 pounder gun, while a larger turret armed with a 75 mm gun was also proposed. In 1943 orders were placed with Daimler and the Rootes Group for 1,700 vehicles with deliveries of the Mk I beginning in June 1944, sixty-three being completed by the end of the year. It had however been decided to continue production of the Daimler which resulted in the order being cut to 300 vehicles armed with a 2 pounder gun. It was decided they would be sent to India and none were to see action with British forces during the Second World War. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 300 A R M O U R E D C A R Ferret Armoured Car The design of the Ferret armoured car began in the late 1940s as a direct replacement for the British Army's wartime vehicles that were becoming time expired. The success of the Dingo scout car made Daimler a natural choice for a replacement, the design sharing many components of the Dingo but had a larger fighting compartment and an optional small machine gun turret. It was constructed from an all-welded monocoque steel body and had four wheel drive together with ‘run flat’ tyres, which kept their shape even when punctured. The Ferret was small enough to be used in an urban environment, while its S P E C I F I C A T I O N : (Mk II) Vehicle Weight: 3.7 tons Dimensions: Length 12 ft 2 ins, Width 6 ft 3 ins, Height 6 ft 2 ins Powerplant: 1 x Rolls-Royce B60 130 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 58 mph, Range 190 miles Armament: 1 x 0.30 in machine gun Armour: Maximum 30 mm Crew: 2 strong construction gave the vehicle an excellent off-road performance. Production began in 1952, and by the time it ceased in 1971 over 4,400 had been built through many marks and variants. In British service they were operated all around the world, from the Army on the Rhine to the trouble spots of the Far and Middle East, especially with United Nations Peace Keeping forces. The Ferret is no longer in service with the British Army, although several countries still operate them to this day. They are also popular with military enthusiasts with many being sold to private collectors. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 4,400 A R M O U R E D C A R Saladin Heavy Armoured Car In January 1946, the British Army issued a requirement for a new armoured car as a replacement for the Daimler Mk II and AEC Mk III armoured cars developed during World War Two. Design of a new vehicle began the same year and designated the FV601. They were to have had a crew of four and be armed with a 2 pounder gun, this later being exchanged for a new 76 mm gun. In 1947 a contract was given to Alvis to build two prototypes, although at the time Alvis were working on the FV603 Saracen armoured personnel carrier that was based on the same chassis. The Saladin was urgently needed in Malaya S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 11.6 tons Dimensions: Length 16 ft 2 ins, Width 8 ft 4 ins, Height 7 ft 10 ins Powerplant: 1 x Rolls-Royce 170 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 45 mph, Range 250 miles Armament: 1 x 76 mm gun, 2 x 8 mm machine guns Armour: Maximum 32 mm Crew: 3 during the unrest, and as a result the prototypes were not completed until 1953. After trials and minor modifications the Saladin entered production in 1958 and entered service the following year, and by the time production ceased in 1972 1,177 had been built. In British service they were deployed on several occasions around the world with the United Nations in the peace keeping role or overseeing the transitional period of independence in several countries of the old British Empire. In the mid 1970s they began to be replaced by the Scorpion reconnaissance vehicle in British service. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 1,177 A R M O U R E D C A R Contents Contents 4 4 3 3 2 2
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5 5 1 1 Home Page Home Page Humber Scout Car The need for scout cars during World War Two could not be met by Daimler alone, and other companies were approached to a produce similar vehicles. Humber (part of the Rootes Group) designed a similar vehicle in layout to the Dingo which was accepted for production in 1942. The vehicle carried a crew of two, with an emergency seat for a third member. Armament consisted of one or two 0.303 inch Bren light machine guns, these were mounted above the roof and and could be operated from inside the vehicle. In service they were used by British armoured units, in particular the 11th S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 2.4 tons Dimensions: Length 12 ft 7 ins, Width 6 ft 2 ins, Height 7 ft Powerplant: 1 x 87 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 62 mph, Range 200 miles Armament: 1 or 2 x 0.303 inch light machine guns Armour: Maximum 14 mm Crew: 2 Armoured Division and Guards Armoured Division. In service they were used for scouting and liaison duties, but were generally considered less capable and reliable compared to the Daimler Dingo, so much so that when the 7th Armoured Division had their Dingos replaced there was a near mutiny until they retrieved them. Production of the vehicle continued until 1945, with at least 4,298 being ordered, of which around 4,100 were delivered. After the war the vehicle was supplied and used by several European countries, the Belgian police continued to use the type until 1958. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 4,100 A R M O U R E D C A R A.E.C. Heavy Armoured Car Mk I On the outbreak of the Second World War A.E.C. had produced the successful Matador artillery tractor, but as a private venture produced an armoured car based on information received from the fighting in North Africa. The design was based on the chassis of the Matador, and what they produced was virtually a wheeled tank. It was a relatively large vehicle and had armour comparable to the latest cruiser tanks, and were armed with a 2 pounder (40 mm) gun and a co-axial 7.92 mm Besa machine mounted in a Valentine tank turret. The prototype vehicle was demonstrated in early 1941, followed by a production order in S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 11 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft, Width 9 ft, Height 8 ft 4 ins Powerplant: 1 x 190 hp AEC diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 40 mph, Range 250 miles Armament: 1 x 2 pounder gun, 1 x 7.92 mm Besa machine gun Armour: Maximum 65 mm Crew: 3 June. They were first used in action in the desert during the North African campaign in late 1942, where they were mainly used to support reconnaissance units. Although they were better armed and armoured than other vehicles, they were not as fast or manoeuvrable, while their height made them easy to spot. By late 1942 the limitations of the 2 pounder anti-tank gun was apparent and it was decided to up-gun the machine with the 6 pounder (57 mm) anti-tank gun which resulted in the Mk II, with production of the Mk I being stopped after about 125 had been built. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 125 A R M O U R E D C A R
A.E.C. Heavy Armoured Car Mk II
The limitations of the 2 pounder gun resulted in the decision up-gun the AEC heavy armoured car with the more potent 6 pounder (57 mm) anti-tank gun. To take the gun the Mk II was fitted with a new angular turret, and with other improvements entered service in early 1943. They were used in the latter part of the North African campaign, then in Sicily and the Italian campaign until the end of the war. After the introduction of the Mk II armoured car it was suggested that an even heavier weapon should be carried to provide better fire support for the reconnaissance troops. This produced the AEC Mk III armed
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 12.7 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft, Width 9 ft, Height 8 ft 4 ins Powerplant: 1 x 195 hp AEC diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 40 mph, Range 250 miles Armament: 1 x 6 pounder gun, 1 x 7.92 mm Besa machine gun Armour: Maximum 65 mm Crew: 4
with a Royal Ordnance quick firing 75 mm gun. This was the only major change between the Mk II and Mk III, although the Mk III was mainly used in North Western Europe after the D- Day landings in June 1944, where they usually formed the heavy troop of reconnaissance units. After the war many AEC armoured cars remained in service with the British Army, while others were supplied to the newly reformed armed forces of liberated Europe. Many vehicles had a long service life, those serving with the Belgian Army being deployed until 1960, while the Lebanese Army used the car until at least 1976.
Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 350
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T18 Boarhound Heavy Armoured Car
In July 1941 a specifications was issued for a heavy armoured car which would be supplied to the U.K. The prototype was developed in 1942 and was a large 8 x 8 vehicle with all four front wheels being used for steering. The initial armament consisted of a M6 37 mm gun in a turret with a coaxial 0.30 inch machine gun and another in the hull front. The gun was soon replaced by the M1 57 mm anti-tank gun, the U.S. version of the British 6 pounder. The U.S. Army had never shown any interest in the vehicle, but the British saw a future for the armoured car and named it Boarhound which was followed by
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 26.4 tons Dimensions: Length 20 ft 4 ins, Width 10 ft 2 ins, Height 8 ft 6 ins Powerplant: 2 x GMC 125 hp petrol engines Performance: Maximum speed 50 mph, Range 250 miles Armament: 1 x 57 mm gun, 2 x 0.30 inch Browning machine guns Armour: Maximum 50 mm Crew: 5
an order for 2,500 machines. High production costs and poor cross-country performance led to the cancellation of the order after only thirty had been delivered to North Africa. They were never used widely in combat, a few being used to defend military bases in North Africa and convoy operations. There are also accounts that a few were refitted for special duties. Late in 1942 orders were issued for at least eight Boarhounds to be assigned to the 8th Army where they were used sparingly as support vehicles and, to some extent in the reconnaissance roles. It is believed that none ever saw combat.
Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 30
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A.E.C. Heavy Armoured Car Mk III The limitations of the 2 pounder gun resulted in the decision up-gun the AEC heavy armoured car with the more potent 6 pounder (57 mm) anti-tank gun. To take the gun the Mk II was fitted with a new angular turret, and with other improvements entered service in early 1943. They were used in the latter part of the North African campaign, then in Sicily and the Italian campaign until the end of the war. After the introduction of the Mk II armoured car it was suggested that an even heavier weapon should be carried to provide better fire support for the reconnaissance troops. This produced the AEC Mk III armed S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 12.7 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft, Width 9 ft, Height 8 ft 4 ins Powerplant: 1 x 195 hp AEC diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 40 mph, Range 250 miles Armament: 1 x 75 mm gun, 1 x 7.92 mm Besa machine gun Armour: Maximum 65 mm Crew: 4 with a Royal Ordnance quick firing 75 mm gun. This was the only major change between the Mk II and Mk III, although the Mk III was mainly used in North Western Europe after the D-Day landings in June 1944, where they usually formed the heavy troop of reconnaissance units. After the war many AEC armoured cars remained in service with the British Army, while others were supplied to the newly reformed armed forces of liberated Europe. Many vehicles had a long service life, those serving with the Belgian Army being deployed until 1960, while the Lebanese Army used the car until at least 1976. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 150 A R M O U R E D C A R T17 Staghound Mk I The T17 Staghound had its origins in a U.S. Army requirement which was issued in 1941 for an armoured car. Two designs emerged, the first was the T17, 6 x 6 from Ford and the T17E1 4 x 4 from Chevrolet. The U.S. Army did not place any orders for the Chevrolet T17E1 vehicle, but it did find favour with the British who placed an initial order for 300, the first vehicles coming off the assembly lines in late 1942. Named Staghound by the British, the armoured car was a large, well armoured vehicle with a hydraulically traversed turret mounting a 37 mm gun with a co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun. Two further 7.62 S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 13.5 tons Dimensions: Length 18 ft, Width 8 ft 10 ins, Height 7 ft 9 ins Powerplant: 2 x GMC 97 hp petrol engines Performance: Maximum speed 55 mph, Range 450 miles Armament: 1 x 37 mm gun + 3 x 0.30 inch machine guns Armour: Maximum 51 mm Crew: 5 mm machine guns were provided, one on a pintle mount and the other in the hull front. Several versions of the Staghound appeared during the war. The Staghound Mk II was armed with a 3 inch howitzer in a new turret and was used in the close support role. The Staghound Mk III was fitted with a Crusader tank turret mounting a 75 mm gun, small numbers being issued to the heavy troop of armoured car regiments. Another variant developed in the U.S.A. was the Staghound AA which had a new power operated Frazer-Nash turret mounting two 12.7 mm Browning machine guns for anti-aircraft use. Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 3,844 all marks T17 Staghound Mk III The T17 Staghound had its origins in a U.S. Army requirement which was issued in 1941 for an armoured car. Two designs emerged, the first was the T17, 6 x 6 from Ford and the T17E1 4 x 4 from Chevrolet. The U.S. Army did not place any orders for the Chevrolet T17E1 vehicle, but it did find favour with the British who placed an initial order for 300, the first vehicles coming off the assembly lines in late 1942. Named Staghound by the British, the armoured car was a large, well armoured vehicle with a hydraulically traversed turret mounting a 37 mm gun with a co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun. Two further 7.62 S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 13.5 tons Dimensions: Length 18 ft, Width 8 ft 10 ins, Height 7 ft 9 ins Powerplant: 2 x GMC 97 hp petrol engines Performance: Maximum speed 55 mph, Range 450 miles Armament: 1 x 37 mm gun + 3 x 0.30 inch machine guns Armour: Maximum 51 mm Crew: 5 mm machine guns were provided, one on a pintle mount and the other in the hull front. Several versions of the Staghound appeared during the war. The Staghound Mk II was armed with a 3 inch howitzer in a new turret and was used in the close support role. The Staghound Mk III was fitted with a Crusader tank turret mounting a 75 mm gun, small numbers being issued to the heavy troop of armoured car regiments. Another variant developed in the U.S.A. was the Staghound AA which had a new power operated Frazer-Nash turret mounting two 12.7 mm Browning machine guns for anti-aircraft use. Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 3,844 all marks T17 Staghound AA The T17 Staghound had its origins in a U.S. Army requirement which was issued in 1941 for an armoured car. Two designs emerged, the first was the T17, 6 x 6 from Ford and the T17E1 4 x 4 from Chevrolet. The U.S. Army did not place any orders for the Chevrolet T17E1 vehicle, but it did find favour with the British who placed an initial order for 300, the first vehicles coming off the assembly lines in late 1942. Named Staghound by the British, the armoured car was a large, well armoured vehicle with a hydraulically traversed turret mounting a 37 mm gun with a co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun. Two further 7.62 S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 13.5 tons Dimensions: Length 18 ft, Width 8 ft 10 ins, Height 7 ft 9 ins Powerplant: 2 x GMC 97 hp petrol engines Performance: Maximum speed 55 mph, Range 450 miles Armament: 1 x 37 mm gun + 3 x 0.30 inch machine guns Armour: Maximum 51 mm Crew: 5 mm machine guns were provided, one on a pintle mount and the other in the hull front. Several versions of the Staghound appeared during the war. The Staghound Mk II was armed with a 3 inch howitzer in a new turret and was used in the close support role. The Staghound Mk III was fitted with a Crusader tank turret mounting a 75 mm gun, small numbers being issued to the heavy troop of armoured car regiments. Another variant developed in the U.S.A. was the Staghound AA which had a new power operated Frazer-Nash turret mounting two 12.7 mm Browning machine guns for anti-aircraft use. Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 3,844 all marks FV721 Fox Armoured Car The Fox CVR(W) (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Wheeled)) was a 4 x 4 armoured car produced by Alvis as a replacement for the Ferret scout car and the Saladin heavy Armoured Car. The vehicle had a crew of three and had a low profile turret armed with a unstabilised 30 mm L21 Rarden cannon and a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. They were designed to be air-portable, and as such were not heavily armoured, protection being provided by an aluminium armoured hull and turret which was only proof against light calibre gun fire and artillery splinters. This kept the combat weight of the vehicle down to S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 6.75 tons Dimensions: Length 16 ft 8 ins, Width 7 ft, Height 7 ft 3 ins Powerplant: 1 x Jaguar 190 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 65 mph, Range 270 miles Armament: 1 x 30 mm Rarden cannon, 1 x 7.62 mm machine gun Armour: Proof against light machine gun fire Crew: 3 6.75 tons, allowing three to be carried by a C130 Hercules, two of which could be air-dropped by parachute. They began to enter service with the British Army in 1973 and were attached to armoured and mechanised infantry battalions. In 1993 the decision was made to withdraw the Fox from service, their turrets then being remounted on the chassis of withdrawn FV101 Scorpion hulls. After a number of modifications had been incorporated the new vehicle entered service as the Sabre, but they were never a real success and were themselves withdrawn from service in 2004. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 325 A R M O U R E D C A R
FV603 ‘Saracen’ APC
Shortly after the end of the Second World War, design work began on the FV600 series of 6 × 6 armoured vehicles for the British Army. The FV601 was the Saladin heavy armoured car, the FV602 was a command vehicle (later cancelled), and the FV603 Saracen Armoured Personnel Carrier. Owing to the emergency in Malaya in the late 1940s, development of the FV603 Saracen was given precedence with the first production vehicles coming off the assembly line in December 1952. Besides the driver and commander, they were designed to carry a squad of eight soldiers and a troop commander, with
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 11 tons Dimensions: Length 15 ft 9 ins, Width 8 ft 4 ins, Height 8 ft 1 in Powerplant: 1 x  Rolls-Royce B80 160 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 45 mph, Range 248 miles Armament: 1 x 0.30 inch Browining machine gun Armour: Maximum 15 mm Crew: 2 + 9 troops
most models being fitted with a small turret on the roof armed with a Browning 0.30 inch machine gun. The Saracen became the standard A.P.C. in the British army until 1963 when they began to be replaced by the FV432 Trojan, production however continued until 1972 for the export market, and in total 1,838 vehicles were built. The Saracen was widely used by the British Army, from the Malay Insurgency to the troubles in Northern Ireland, and with United Nation forces. They were last used in the British Army by the Queen's Own Gurkha Transport Regiment based in Hong Kong which was disbanded in 1993.
Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 1,838
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A.E.C. Gun Carrier Mk I ‘Deacon’ The fluid movement of the war in North Africa led to the need fur a mobile anti-tank weapon system for the British army. Initially artillery pieces were carried en portée (positioned on the flat bed of trucks) which allowed the guns to be quickly deployed to cover any perceived threat. There were several drawbacks to this system such as a loss of traverse, high profile and lack of armour, so a stopgap design was produced. This became the Deacon Gun Carrier which was based on an AEC Matador truck chassis. The cab was replaced with a simple armoured box that protected the engine and driver, while a S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 12 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft 1 in, Width 8 ft, Height 10 ft 2 ins Powerplant: 1 x AEC 95 hp diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 25 mph, Range 150 miles Armament: 1 x 6 pounder (57 mm) anti-tank gun Armour: Maximum 10 mm Crew: 4 6 pounder anti-tank gun was mounted on the flat bed that could be traversed through 360º which was fitted with an armoured shield. They entered service with the army in North Africa during December 1942, and saw considerable use during the closing months of the campaign, their use by the 76th Anti-Tank Regiment at El Hamma being instrumental in the defeat of a German force that included Panzer III tanks. In total 175 were built, but were withdrawn from service at the end of the North African campaign as they were considered unsuitable for operations in Europe. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 175 A R M O U R E D G U N C A R R I E R
‘Saxon’ APC
The Saxon APC was developed in early 1976 as a private venture by GKN Defences, the first production vehicles following later the same year. ln 1983 it was adopted by the British Army for infantry battalions based in the UK as a cheap but efficient battle-taxi. The design was a low cost armoured personnel carrier based on a commercially available Bedford 4 x 4 truck chassis. As a lightly armoured wheeled vehicle it was faster and easier to maintain than a tracked vehicle, especially on roads, and armoured against small arms fire and shell splinters.. The vehicle was armed with a single machine gun,
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 10.6 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft, Width 8 ft 2 ins, Height 8 ft 8 ins Powerplant: 1 × 164 hp Bedford 500 diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 60 mph, Range 320 miles Armament: 1 x 7.62 mm machine gun Armour: Proof against light machine gun fire Crew: 2 + 10 troops
either fitted in a small turret or carried on a pintle mount. When deployed the vehicle could carry up to ten fully armed men. The first Saxons were deployed in Germany in 1983, while further vehicles were used in Northern Ireland, serving both as troop carriers or as riot control vehicles with extendible wings which were used as protective shields. Other versions include a command vehicle with additional communications equipment, a recovery vehicle with a winch with a maximum haul load of 16 tons, and an ambulance. The Saxon has now been withdrawn from service in the British Army, but many are kept in storage.
Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 850
‘Saxon’ APC The Saxon APC was developed in early 1976 as a private venture by GKN Defences, the first production vehicles following later the same year. ln 1983 it was adopted by the British Army for infantry battalions based in the UK as a cheap but efficient battle-taxi. The design was a low cost armoured personnel carrier based on a commercially available Bedford 4 x 4 truck chassis. As a lightly armoured wheeled vehicle it was faster and easier to maintain than a tracked vehicle, especially on roads, and armoured against small arms fire and shell splinters.. The vehicle was armed with a single machine gun, S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 10.6 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft, Width 8 ft 2 ins, Height 8 ft 8 ins Powerplant: 1 × 164 hp Bedford 500 diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 60 mph, Range 320 miles Armament: 1 x 7.62 mm machine gun Armour: Proof against light machine gun fire Crew: 2 + 10 troops either fitted in a small turret or carried on a pintal mount. When deployed the vehicle could carry up to ten fully armed men. The first Saxons were deployed in Germany in 1983, while further vehicles were used in Northern Ireland, serving both as troop carriers or as riot control vehicles with extendible wings which were used as protective shields. Other versions include a command vehicle with additional communications equipment, a recovery vehicle with a winch with a maximum haul load of 16 tons, and an ambulance. The Saxon has now been withdrawn from service in the British Army, but many are kept in storage. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 850 A R M O U R E D P E R S O N N E L C A R R I E R Simba Light Combat Vehicle The Simba Light Combat Vehicle (LCV) was designed by GKN Sankey during the early 1990s primarily for the export market. Inside the vehicle the driver sits on the front-left with the engine to his right, the troop compartment extending to the rear of the vehicle. The troops sit on seats down either side of the vehicle and can dismount through doors in the rear or the left side of the hull, the driver and commander having the option of the cupola hatch and the driver's side door. After extensive trials the Simba was selected for use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who placed an initial order for 150 S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 11.2 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft 7 ins, Width 8 ft 2 ins, Height 7 ft 2 ins Powerplant: 1 x 210 hp Perkins diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 62 mph, Range 410 miles Armament: 1 x 0.5 inch Browning machine gun Armour: Maximum 8 mm Crew: 3 + 10 troops vehicles, most being assembled in the Philippines in a facility owned by the joint company Asian Armoured Technologies Corporation. In the Philippine Army Simbas are fitted with an air-conditioning system, due to the tropical climate of the country with most having a one man turret armed with a 0.50 calibre Browning heavy machine gun. A few vehicles have been fitted with a one man turret armed with a 25 mm cannon and a co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun. Simbas have seen action against communist rebels in the country during recent anti-insurgency campaigns. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 150+ A R M O U R E D P E R S O N N E L C A R R I E R Morris Light Reconnaissance Car The heavy losses of arms and material during the defeat in France left the British Army in a vulnerable state. The Nuffield Group had been brought in to supplement production of light reconnaissance cars such as the Beaverette before Morris set about on its own design. The vehicle was based on the chassis and parts of the Morris light truck, on which was mounted a partly-riveted hull made of rolled steel, with sloped faces. The internal arrangement was unusual with a three man crew sitting side by side, the driver being in the middle with a crewman manning a small multi-sided turret armed with a Bren S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 3.7 tons Dimensions: Length 13 ft 4 ins, Width 6 ft 8 ins, Height 6 ft 2 ins Powerplant: 1 x 72 hp Morris petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 50 mph, Range 240 miles Armament: 1 x Boys anti-tank rifle, 1 x Bren light machine gun Armour: Maximum 14 mm Crew: 3 light machine gun on the right, and the other a Boys 0.55 inch anti-tank rifle mounted in brackets in the hatches of the hull roof on the left, who also operated a radio fitted to the rear of the compartment. They were quickly approved for production by the military with over 2,200 being produced from 1940-44 when production ceased. They were first used in North Africa during the latter part of 1941, many being handed over the the R.A.F. for airfield defence. With the Eighth Army in North Africa they were used as an advanced reconnaissance vehicles and were used throughout that campaign. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 2,200 A R M O U R E D C A R Contents Contents Home Page Hope Page 4 4 3 3 2 2
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A.E.C. ‘Dorchester’ Command Post In World War Two the United Kingdom was the only country to develop and deploy armoured command vehicles, with the most common type being the A.E.C. Dorchester. This vehicle was based on the Matador artillery tractor chassis on which a large armoured body was fitted. They were produced in two versions designed for use as command posts for Divisional and Brigade commanders. The first was the HP (high Power) type which were fitted with radio systems for long distances. The second LP (Low Power) were for short range communications, both types being crewed by 7-8 people. Production started in S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 12.2 tons Dimensions: Length 20 ft 2 ins, Width 7 ft 11 ins, Height 9 ft 6 ins Powerplant: 1 x 95 hp A.E.C. diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 37 mph, Range 280 miles Armament: 1 x 0.303 inch Bren machine gun Armour: Maximum 12 mm Crew: 7-8 1941 and were first used by the British in North Africa later that year, where they received their more popular name of Dorchester (after the luxury London hotel) which the troops had nicknamed the vehicles due to their large and comfortable interiors. During the fighting in the desert three were captured by the Germans, two of which were named ‘Max’ and ‘Moritz’ and used by Rommel and his staff throughout the rest of the campaign. In total it is believed 416 were built, and were used throughout the fighting in north western Europe until the end of the war, many remaining on strength into the 1950s. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 416
A.E.C. 6 x 6 Command Post
In 1944 A.E.C. began the production of a larger armoured command vehicle compared to the earlier ‘Dorchester’ based on their 6 x 6 0854 lorry chassis which would be powered by a 150 hp A.E.C. 198 engine. The Mk I vehicle had an armoured body with an open top, followed by the Mk II which was fitted with a frame on the roof to take a tarpaulin for protection against the elements if needed. The engine could be selected to drive the rear or all wheels through a 4 speed gearbox and 2 speed transfer box, giving the vehicle good cross-country performance. Like the ‘Dorchester’ two versions were
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 18 tons Dimensions: Length 26 ft 3½ ins, Width 8 ft 1 in, Height 8 ft 3 ins Powerplant: 1 x 150 hp AEC diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 30 mph, Range 250 miles Armament: None Armour: Maximum 9 mm Crew: 8
produced, the HP (high Power) type with long range radios and the LP (Low Power) for short range communications. While in transit the radio masts were strapped to the outside of the vehicle. Side entrances were provided for the driver and commander, while the radio operators and Headquarters staff were housed in separate compartments which were accessed through rear doors. Production was halted in 1945 at the end of the war after 151 vehicles had been produced. Many of the vehicles remained in service after World War Two and wer not withdrawn until the the early 1960s.
Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 151
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