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Britain's Beaverette Light Reconnaissance Car
Beaverette |
Beaverette |
Beaverette |
Beaverette |
Beaverette |
Design
The Beaverette was named after the Minister of Aircraft Production, Lord Beaverbrook.1
After the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) from France in 1940 there were only two armored vehicles put into production, one being the Beaverette.1
Chassis
The chassis of the Beaverette was made from the Standard 14 saloon car.1
Prototype
Production
The Beaverette was produced by the Standard Motor Company Ltd of Coventry.1
- Beaverette Mk I:
- Beaverette Mk II:
- Beaverette Mk III:
- Entered service in 19411
Variants
- Beaverette Mk I: Covered in 11 mm mild steel.1 Open topped.1 3" oak planks went across the rear.1 Small vision slit in the front for the driver.1 Radiator grille was vertical.1
- Beaverette Mk II: Used armor all around.1 Radiator grill was horizontal.1 Open top.1
- Beaverette Mk III: Used armor all around and an enclosed top.1 Single door in the rear.1 Step in the front armor moved driver behind turret.1
- Beaverette Mk IV: Step in front removed and driver in front of turret.1
Usage
Many of the Beaverettes were used for airfield defence.1
| Beaverette IV Light Reconnaissance Car | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 31 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 2.5 tons1 2,540 kg1 |
| Length w/gun | 10' 2"1 3.1 m1 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 6' 8"1 2.03 m1 |
| Width | 5' 10"1 1.78 m1 |
| Ground clearance | |
| Ground contact length | |
| Ground pressure | |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 0.303" Bren Light MG1 7.7 mm Bren light MG1 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | |
| Secondary | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 101 |
| Hull Front, Upper | |
| Hull Front, Lower | |
| Hull Sides, Upper | |
| Hull Sides, Lower | |
| Hull Rear | |
| Hull Top | |
| Hull Bottom | |
| Turret Front | |
| Turret Sides | |
| Turret Rear | |
| Turret Top | |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Standard 141 |
| Cylinders | 41 |
| Net HP | 451 |
| Transmission | |
| Fuel type | Petrol1 |
| Octane | |
| Capacity | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | |
| Max speed | 40 mph1 65 kph1 |
| Cross country speed | |
| Road range | |
| Cross country range | |
| Turning radius | |
| Elevation limits | |
| Fording depth | |
| Trench crossing | |
| Vertical obstacle | |
| Suspension (Type) | |
| Wheels each side | |
| Return rollers each side | |
| Track length | |
| Tires | |
| Track width | |
| Track centers/tread |
Sources:
- World Encyclopedia of Armored Fighting Vehicles, Jack Livesey, 2006
