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Britain's Daimler 'Dingo' Scout Car
Daimler Dingo
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Design
In 1938 the Mechanization Board had Alvis Limited, BSA Cycles Limited, and Morris Commercial Cars Limited submit prototypes for a turretless scouting vehicle. Out of three designs submitted the one from BSA's was selected.1 BSA was later taken over by Daimler car company.1,3
The Daimler was designed as a fast reconnaissance and liaison vehicle.1
Early models had 4 wheel steering and for the inexperienced drivers it was difficult to drive.3 Had front wheel drive, sliding roof over the crew, and a potbelly cab.1 The engine was placed in the rear and the driver was positioned at an angle to help him drive in both directions.1
It had a 5-speed pre-selector gearbox which provided drive to all wheels.1 The gearbox had a fluid flywheel and a single-speed transfer box with diffential.1
Crew
The crew of the Daimler Dingo sat side by side in the crew compartment.3
Armament
The main armament for the Daimler Dingo was a Bren machine gun, but often crews modified the armament in the field.3
Prototype
Production
An order for 172 Daimler Dingos was placed in 1939.3
- 1939-1945: 6,6263
Variants
- Daimler Mk I: Had sliding roof. Only armor in front.3 Four wheel steering.3
- Daimler Mk IA: Had folding roof1,3, improved suspension, more powerful engine3, radio installed1, and more stowage.1 Armor all around.3 Four wheel steering.3
- Daimler Mk IB: Cooling fan was reversed.1 The radiator grille was reversed.1 Some had radios or Vickers K-gun machine gun.1 A few only had front wheel steering.1
- Daimler Mk II: Had only front wheel steering.1,3 A few had radios and mine rollers.1
- Daimler Mk III: Waterproofed engine and the roof removed.1,3
Usage
The Daimler Dingo was used throughout World War II.3
Daimler Dingo Scout Car |
Daimler Dingo Scout Car Mk I | Daimler Dingo Scout Car Mk III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, driver 21 |
22 | 23 |
| Physical Characteristics | |||
| Weight | 6,272 lb, 3 tons1, 3,048 kg1 | 3 tons2 | 7,056 lb 3.2 tons3 3,215.2 kg3 |
| Length w/gun | 10' 5"1 3.175 m1 |
10' 5"2 3.226 m2 |
10' 5"3 3.23 m3 |
| Length w/o gun | |||
| Height | 4' 11"1 1.498 m1 |
4' 11"2 1.5 m2 |
4' 11"3 1.5 m3 |
| Width | 5' 8"1 1.714 m1 |
5' 7.5"2 1.715 m2 |
5' 8"3 1.72 m3 |
| Ground clearance | 8" | ||
| Ground contact length | |||
| Ground pressure | |||
| Turret ring diameter | |||
| Armament | |||
| Main | 7.7 mm (.303 cal) Bren MG1 | 1: Bren 0.303" light MG3 1: Bren 7.7 mm light MG3 |
|
| Secondary | 2: Smokegrenade launchers | ||
| MG | |||
| Side arms | |||
| Quantity | |||
| Main | |||
| Secondary | |||
| MG | |||
| Side arms | |||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 303 | ||
| 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) | Daimler | Daimler2 | Daimler3 |
| Cylinders | 62 | 63 | |
| Net HP | 552 | 553 | |
| Transmission | 5-speed preselector gearbox | ||
| Fuel Type | Gasoline2 | Petrol3 | |
| Octane | |||
| Capacity | |||
| Performance | |||
| Traverse | |||
| Max speed | 55-60 mph, 55 mph1 88.5 kph1 |
55 mph2 88.5 kph2 |
55 mph3 88.5 kph3 |
| Cross country speed | |||
| Road range | 200 miles1 322 km1 |
200 miles2 322 km2 |
200 miles3 322 km3 |
| Cross country range | |||
| Turning radius | |||
| Elevation limits | |||
| Fording depth | 3' 7" | ||
| Trench crossing | |||
| Vertical obstacle | 55% | ||
| Suspension (Type) | |||
| Wheels each side | |||
| Return rollers each side | |||
| Track length | |||
| Tires | |||
| Track width | |||
| Track centers/tread |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- World Encyclopedia of Armored Fighting Vehicles, Jack Livesey, 2006
