Daimler Mk1 Heavy Armoured Car
The
Daimler Armoured Car was a development of the Daimler Scout car known
as the 'Dingo', a small armoured vehicle for scouting and liaison
roles. The original vehicle was to have been called the BSA Light
Wheeled Tank. Design began in 1939, and resulted in what was
basically an enlarged Dingo fitted with a turret, even the hexagonal
fighting compartment and hull front bin were found on both. The
vehicle shared the same turret as the Tetrarch light tank and was
fitted with a 2pdr High Velocity gun and a coaxial 7.92mm BESA machine
gun.
The Daimler had full independent suspension and four wheel drive.
Epicyclic gearing in the wheel hubs enabled a very low ratio in
bottom gear - it was credited with managing 1:2 inclines. The
rugged nature combined with reliability made it ideal for
reconnaissance and escort work. Later on, the Daimler became the
standard car in British armoured car regiments and the Reconnaissance
Corps units attached to infantry divisions in place of Humbers.
43rd Reconnaissance Regiment received theirs at the time of the
crossing of the River Rhine in March 1945.
As well as four wheel drive, all round independent suspension and disc
brakes, the Daimler had a 5 speed box available in forward and reverse
and had a rear steering wheel provided for emergency use. It was
capable of 50mph in either direction and was powered by a 95bhp 4095cc
six cylinder engine, inclined overhead valves, twin solex non-spillable
carburettors and a dry sump lubrication. Capable of climbing 1:2
gradients this was a truly remarkable vehicle in its day.
The Daimler first saw action in North Africa with the 11th Hussars and
the Derbyshire Yeomanry. It was widely used in Europe and a few
vehicles were also used in the South-East Asia theatre.
Daimlers were used by the territorial units of the British Army until
the early 1960s. The surviving vehicles are highly prized among
UK vehicle collectors.
Very little is known of the history of this early Mark 1 vehicle which
was manufactured in 1942, but it underwent a complete restoration in
the 1990s.
Basic Statistics
Length : 13' 2.5" (hull only 13')
Width : 8' 10"
Height : 7' 4"
Ground Clearance : 1' 4"
Wheelbase : 8' 6"
Wheel Track : 6' 6"
Tyres : 10.50 or 11.00 by 20
Approx Weight : 6.75 tons empty, 7.75 tons in battle order
Bridge Class 7
Speed : 50mph
Range : 205 miles
Fuel Capacity : 36 gallons
Fording depth : 4' prepared
Armament
2 pdr gun with 52 rounds
7.92mm BESA with 2,700 rounds
.303" Bren AA with 500 rounds
.45" Thompson with 200 rounds or 9mm Sten machine carbine with 300 rounds
2x4" smoke dischargers or (postwar) two sets of six barrel smoke grenade launchers
Armour
16mm turret front & mantlet, hull rear
14mm hull front & turret sides
10mm hull sides
8mm turret & hull top
7mm hull floor
Radio No 19 set
Serial Numbers
F19919-20418 500 Mk 1
F117215-117714 500 Mk 1