Morris Armored Car:
Morris worked with Vickers in the early 1930s to produce a 6 x 4 vehicle that was to be purchased by Thailand.1 With the threat of war more iminent, in 1935 Morris was asked to produce an interim armored car before a new 4 x 4 design was ready.1
It was built on a C9 15cwt 4 x 2 truck chassis.1 It had slab sided hull and an open turret behind the driver's cab.1
Used in France with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF).1 38 were in the 12th Royal Lancers in France 1940. Only armored car regiment in BEF (British Expeditionary Force).
Was also sent to the Middle East.1 30 issued to 11th Hussars which used them in the Western Desert. Remained in service until 1943.1
Standard Car 4x2:
Used for defense of airfields and factories. Named after Lord Beaverbrook Minister of Aircraft Production. Used for home defence service with Army and RAF.
Mk I: Armored in front and sides. Rear was 3" oak.
Mk II: All around armor.
Mk III: Thicker armor, small turret with hinged lid.
Morris Mk II:
Had 4 wheel drive.
| Morris Mk I, Mk II, Light Recon Cars | Morris Light Armored Reconnaissance Car (Morris Armored Car1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Crew | 31 | Commander, gunner, driver, radio operator 41 |
| Physical Characteristics | ||
| Weight | 8,288 lb, 3.7 tons1, 3,760 kg1 | 4.2 tons1, 4,268 kg1 |
| Length w/gun | 13' 4"1, 4.06 m1 | 15' 6"1, 4.77 m1 |
| Length w/o gun | ||
| Height | 6' 2"1, 1.88 m1 | 7'1, 2.13 m1 |
| Width | 6' 8"1, 2.03 m1 | 6' 9"1, 2.05 m1 |
| Ground clearance | ||
| Ground contact length | ||
| Ground pressure | ||
| Turret ring diameter | ||
| Armament | ||
| Main | 2: 7.7 mm (.303 cal) MG1 Boys ATR |
12.7 mm (.50 cal) Boys ATR1 |
| Secondary | 7.7 mm (.303 cal) MG1 | |
| MG | Bren MG | |
| Side arms | ||
| Quantity | ||
| Main | ||
| Secondary | ||
| MG | ||
| Side arms | ||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | ||
| Hull Front, Upper | 14 | |
| 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) | Morris1 | Morris |
| Cylinders | 41 | 6 |
| Net HP | 72, 961 | |
| Transmission | ||
| Fuel type | Gasoline | |
| Octane | ||
| Capacity (gallons) | ||
| Performance | ||
| Traverse | 360° | 360° |
| Max Speed | 50 mph, 45 mph1, 72 kph1 | 45 mph1, 73 kph1 |
| Cross Country | ||
| Road radius | 240 miles1, 385 km1 | 240 miles1, 385 km1 |
| Turning Radius | ||
| Elevation Limits | ||
| Fording depth | ||
| Trench crossing | ||
| Vertical Obstacle | ||
| Suspension (Type) | Mk II: Leaf spring | |
| Wheels each side | ||
| Return rollers each side | ||
| Track length | ||
| Tires | ||
| Track width | ||
| Track centers/tread | ||
| Production | 2,200 | 99 1936-1937: 1001 |
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
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