The Daimler Armoured Car was a light combat vehicle used in reconnaissance missions by the British Army during World War II. It was also employed to provide close fire support to infantry units. Developed from the Scout Car, Daimler made slightly more than 2,600 armored cars in three versions; Mark I, Mark ICS, and Mark II. It entered service in June 1941 and saw combat action in North Africa and in the European Theater of operation.
Technical Characteristics
The Daimler Armoured Car was a 4×4, wheeled vehicle. It was powered by a Daimler, 6-cylinder, 4,095 cc gasoline engine, which was mounted at the rear and could deliver 95 horse power. It had no chassis as the engine, suspension, and transmission were all built into the lower part of the armored hull. The suspension was independent, consisting of vertical coil springs, with a pair to each wheel. This suspension system allowed the Armoured Car to perform vertical upwards movements of 16 in. of any one wheel independently of the others that remain in contact with the ground.
It was also fitted with a duplicate steering wheel plus hand throttle ignition for use by the commander when driving backwards in case of emergency. The turret of the Daimler Armoured Car was mounted on ball bearings on roof of fighting compartment and it was equipped with hand-operated traversing gear. The turret featured a 2-pdr (40-mm) gun and a 7.62mm Besa machine gun. The commander acted as the loader for the 2-pdr gun.
Specifications
Type: armored reconnaissance vehicle
Weight: 7.5 tons
Length: 13′ (4 m)
Width: 8′ (2.4 m)
Height: 7′ 4″ (2.2 m)
Armor: 16 mm at the front.
Below, the Daimler Armoured Car Mk II in 1942.
The Mk I in mid 1941
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