Classic Military Vehicle - June 2022

122 Pages·2022·40 MB·English

CLASSIC LAND ROVER GATHERING BOOK NOW!
mmm
9
4
ooo 5.
ary.cary.cary.c June 2022£ 06
ttt
iii 5
lll 9
mimimi 1
7
yyy 77
eee
3
kkk 7
w.w.w. 14
www 253 77
www ISSUE 9
June’s military shows previewed
• Tankfest • D-Day Festival
• Overlord Show
• Wartime in the Vale
W I N !
C A M E R A
A N D L E N S
WO R T H
9
9
5
£
C2l8o sJiunlgy d2a0t2e2:
oo
tt
yy
dd
aa
ee
rr
E
L
B
M
LLLLLeeeeettttt’’’’’sssss gggggReeeeettttt U
Failing by Design Desert Wrecks Saved from the scrapheap
Why Russian tanks are vulnerable to missile attack World War II trucks disc9o6vered in North Africa Morris Light Reconnaissance Car restored
EASTERN SURPLUS & EQUIPMENT CO.
U.S. Government Surplus, Military Truck & Parts
Supplier to the World!
www.easternsurplus.net
Visit our website & online store Being updated
DAILY! We off er full support for Maintenance/Repair,
Customization, Fabrication, Painting, and we export
anywhere in the world.
Check it out todayy!
See detailed pictures, new parts inventory with in-depth search
capability including National Stock Number (NSN) and Parts Number
cross referencing for easy shopping.
5825 Tacony Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19135 | [email protected]
Toll-free: [phone] | Worldwide: [phone]
June 2022 Frontlines
www.keymilitary.com
War impacts on shows
It was recently announced that Wicksteed at War has been called off for this year ANDREW STONE
Once again an air of with some enthusiasts before going to print that the shows, including Tankfest
uncertainty hangs over arguing it’s a reasonable 2022 edition of Wicksteed at and Wartime in the Vale,
some of this year’s military thing to do while many War (WAW) had been called which returns for the fi rst
shows – will they or won’t others have said that as off at relatively short notice. time since 2019. We’re not
they go ahead? And no, it’s most are World War Two I attended WAW for the expecting any more shock
not due to Covid this time, events, they have nothing fi rst time last year and announcements, but my
at least for now that is, even to do with what’s currently thoroughly enjoyed it, so advice is to keep a close eye
as we reportedly see cases going on in Ukraine. was sad to hear it will not be on individual social media
rise across the UK. But perhaps, as Nigel Hay held this year. accounts for the remainder
Instead, Russia’s invasion points out in his monthly From what I understand, of the year.
of Ukraine has seen several column, the sight of it was not the Military Enjoy the read and, as
organising committees Russian vehicles at these Vehicle Trust’s decision, always, your feedback is
decide to cancel their shows events – even historic ones but rather the trustees appreciated.
due to sensitivities around – would offend. who own the park.
what is taking place in While most of those called The question is, will others
Europe right now. off so far have been smaller, follow? This month’s issue
There has been mixed 1940s style shows, we were has previews on some of
EDITOR ANDREW STONE
reaction to these decisions, greeted with the news just the year’s most popular
[email protected]
classicmilitaryvehiclemagazine [email protected] www.facebook.com/cmvmag www.twitter.com/cmvmag
3
www.keymilitary.com
Features The original caption for this photo reads: An
RAF Morris LRC (light reconnaissance car)
alongside a bullock cart on an airfi eld in the
Azores, January 1944. For more, see pages 6-10
06 Filling the Void IWM / WIKICOMMONS
Craig Moore on how Britain planned to
counter a German invasion
30 Show Previews
With show season fast approaching, Callum
Dickson looks at some of June’s highlights
words Craig Allen pictures archive
Failing by Design
MSheUwagwcctstwatfoohaIFooornesamkirern ieetumnoumtbnmhrs prkviara-nlteee tdc temhategteigghe ranuntrmtfeaerh euoo ien'irconwatstbririn ieuknid gne- onitis prnao stgeethshde nhwisdlumf B:dtals i e e le owRhf peTRlytb cebfapiilhweansgnsa7pu erlauy eloetr eesyRhp2es.tlrrs teiw caaasheotssoasTTsbmbn uhokk edinfp-inahntaetcea 7 em u t staosni’l oRmneaos2skehsdsd ntes m gnrfh,du seti usotlf -w teo a ouiTsT( tbhgepdachA mdvann-scauBi e–leaaTen8eeenntik hrlea o-vldrGalg0 tss ak 2r nrw eed odre a ttit Waeo emfo aolr wferysiuadbp uet-dn fdss df )hrn oqelrelcg tfda tmaiisoas gdnhaehucuo tuuy Utmnibtgnaeospeoeruo.rtnnr ekit.mlm smuotknaieyoe ctnn rsstTrean g dbaiaeh ee e yaoh ni.eat iylnv exsdnnlneehke ntodt ete ra-riddie e - f l l ya saghnaedinnlnrTBbTspsmechtspe aheI-tiixouoayrrlsymnhttar7eaeaoo eafi smtn cmb2tt isieftpgpms nfchdqyaee bo ibthto ltleeaehUirc ie p atnteTsue trdaya iiatasthoniltsaeRr-i nehbrkesiaotAsgbe.ont7nsb ,uses lin mr eo. ennb iRo 2s ia1wnap.agh mn uesf9el tbaort nUais,ineiitoht7cnyn oatfsk,vhhf n o0 ghyi dsnirie taeierto atuasrihtess inms e inolb, ngonem d n a sTii ceaepnsi h nucmc8nfsToo db evr A om0aiad-moernveenas1 Renll tiveltessne 4dalymaM rtrfieloirmitonnt o ygmnnoomaA Yaak clunyu toourunI kraheNn wery omdsopdeabn. neydFnau fed sbWud otaOIut se st oa rsaiat t ronunIRat d raniaKl tnpsdht pts seiM rkhbIspodT rCeh–eim daea eoe.- oaosfvaCOsbg l9s dios ooneteslTOMlute0.efouaurvrel 7iddnM .tabT rcMeerrd o 2tg elThietrvh. n Oli U eddoehee e NtA nne h rS e/s fmtaiceideNhiwsaTataNshiacatrdAaaamsAAmtiTATdnmtsterhhheTTI TTTa-tus h oonqnnmrnlmauaTTeee-arl teAlcroAae7moaeaeetst o mn n4roahhhhvroddddGlmmupss8hniTvloTlitf2ru pmlnmkalr u s eokgl iieeeutuifne iiatose-lleebsegOaeWw0pse aliorin mpreiata d7 s tnt eltrgdmtmuuwru u wuirrddmdsensaclesntpy sxsehsna2 p mtneag yrl? c nncagnilt.hne perde vtveipd soieewlimkris ost an efsFiketmnaaotiinhceetee(oev dTeres ta tth ' ld -i Ewnmgs-aero oh haoiistnPnTdfoe lKrnassltaonoa hresfoeoaer ielik n eRs s arie-eeidncooeel twt a nt- tcrettinnfasy yna cus8 asa‘simrthiuatrhr eml5 ce tosrAoncvns.mh den rnhreaeiesiir. hagn0 f ckartdetnscuma er , neokizu) aotte ,eh whm iss r henide eottncr o hd rloevfidsledolwrio trd Teitnta aroo oss sagd,cueaneabwGrhf ametepa1 kwitc-2r gs n tuguhwfi bnhh b7 lelthfaanasett,taacaairtsonhPe1aAtaaa tnuhahrsehi ouae 2ligarot ut kio ctkuo ge3nydr -smdieSvge atmnr 4emeiandrnlb vsg ervuettultstkh rotn0aeeuerl vl i sria6h anewuk ee ar el tviantteataohaoeenelso arsfhpfodsiae nMeniw d s erboseiisi vanneRmt3fear amastweonaenps soliok.iekf wi e r aesnllrra gygad. v’ -el a cr kuua stu s u h da ma H s,ptna ai5t umerwidetwiintsT syw rnset ssiicghotstdsa om,htstn eilnme rnohf.s a taogu hsdooif kearo1f ibvi i olpocbe susd xtinp gttwy estyitanpoteaw 2aaethoueathnioeo nfth-etptbm Tdtinsweih l iT poeho 5uepen stauimnr ltod emtseUml,desy7tehened i-lwhniwdvdipn t metooor h tas dm7r eoru. 2sartee. ktaoireoTmde,m,o e.r nenes atthan2e oe itlp cm wtrtebIiarrdwifo7ieadaaaecn s ctc-runa,la,dneoanoooha c sa n lS2eaid u rssage rkeabtir ki ntt wg rmndtalnrtsshget ktrth haBdit mtIet -lho i ea kowheeMss r sn oneimeiwtsudtrht ea e niaonew3eodosa k.thnehnEeadcmf renier otn r-k loorcu io n in seoeea.acs1Re rn,mtshtb rs hrtsad hotg hw sru g t iaoA sy ggo t aee ieeileiv ndl cefnd ls .e t TwmcbiTtfedvdftigsaTnnaihhoFTTg-i-docuhiiogttessroee88eilrhhhondneirtlhiaa0so be0getgtiens,dCTiUst dbeitd y ishn g ru-oil l gdohivlastaat ub8titegimaamniauv y nenstnc0ad.rnowence nn ecd aptyedk a fAdtkrlst Orihm tu otdsottlaw ’ri w isiyh o smedor oiK.dUgftta at i e enh neaicthuoetpinnpmanahmhr e. dke cntoy We rngr d euet, o eat tp co h etKriT autsea(vsouhe1ro-rme --kereourn p ftne28s 5iar iotendvna-lh r oe5-t t0 2 -totnig , d5sEalfnofrml osif oAop o asa nieRgt a rftruhracameb4 inhecre ns Ai,bdebuolnm6i e eal ll ciet,i ealcemtom2 Mdthc t1hoocdsyt rr4t te9h,oombeeph odn- pi Avarmg4e9ni a artnetomeavsn6ror 0setfrowte ai1jGp dlv-cno aeaasical22cnlee e siildrr nrnoas sf5t a owdemoriu kdseymm-udmzwfd e tm hsudomsffone aeeulhteme )uay-eos,es goaril .nrwl mleo t ew.tid-mnr du ht ieTe.tiahg rut haehel sI- n n ites ng r y gasR t‘naauuTrsbsgreiihnamenwa eeAnrimgo nilnoReuau rsA eltRiretCesl HwddiseIkVsEuttrhto y eTeeidc-l xb-e9hspsid0 etol aaoM fUkgsfraSeiienvir av nswe hei gprharwersaryoah iAoRtceCentHaIicV vfEdteeisoa ’ntu res
36 37
3366 FFaaiilliinngg bbyy DDeessiiggnn
With the invasion of Ukraine, Russian armour
has suffered higher losses than many
anticipated
46 Riker Recovered
Tim Gosling on the discovery of a rare World
War One truck
52 French Wheeled Firepower
Revolutionary French armour designs resulted
in the first wheeled alternative to the tank
58 SDF Desert Finds
Andras Zboray reports on the discovery of
two World War Two CMP trucks in the North
African desert
64 Prototype Special
A rare Esarco 6x6 bought on auction has
been restored to its original condition
words Craig Allen pictures archive
IHrtcwa(atsimIvTvnHhnhouhTmn ouciea.leictMhnsdisnsn5 nrha n k eewlee auiv Gi n Gnln2ermBlcasIobr aers i0traie)suenaabyrnor esuro0 i galg rqngleemirtroitemiw4tog t,.-gm an ttfy ts nso eha n pT hIt hUo cb Znnhceciarheowtniaot Seoesklotwel sasgs taeve shn nt.arstdu hiH s ereeest hc Rsdeeatr eei uhdkeo waglawaoosDtdalmsafci dhian-oetutel a av -rtytlgdhveseryiorsr .ynrkvgeeua mso kTr gaieWtdi eidn nmfnhidsnuabmbno ass rtg aefibngoaauuyeh,h o l tp,eecsmrkateibate n p -eodeehIit saoaatgn db sin din hrnpnmc n g v miat c wnosodteohec ie bronhugt thsph e aethiusomg hcer sirurweBrcrg eeeniu deeoasvol aes adee ndd inautaunnb ng'soh MdtgSfgndyoa.echrei h1tr t ly dsti1yn n e a5A gdsaedRd w CtacmeHryhIeVILtawfwcbavnbZ nrrsseTIE'nnaeaouaoa oe t hdhnaddentisngm rulLtilie enyddo eilcs lsc eIa d iE e lacabrara aebfwR aedwDon gnallsanlloiel otvy dylos aanaiAvhrte Azydi. gitoevnrden sKe r moeu esegrogi dts ,mnvkldh aRn on o otetisa eniehnIuehultnn rar odhd erreIrmr a o arcea s shp vUHfIbdetotsaqtr alo oaaalue SuunuUedt pq t mlmhtdr e strSrIht t isi,e bnt.rfnotpv eao aeoh eag Tesd trsnerobeBng m hhe end sppoougs e7rs taohetsfri,.ioi t hpno rn6r cuaidmpspd i gete 2nudreaehtUl- eery h t Hnmgce art-dvbrwSeohaetatsSu eniae eunoonm fpGmeigwl nagoynd c tnyera vtdHhe.hd-ec dyensref t fehieioah esrnaun e unw ugt rmdnn eed tr voeeteocfotvATMtEpaooheTlsfrhai essr eotdehchceewtoatem theio.ek Hnoncrn Her rUa relaehousHet tsug hpuSdoams usosumeeGr r m ufmoa.vdCtr vopetie befttaeevr P,nospetla ierneeth et lgapssyoeu tamirrwn e ui c anadtcwin.gtrbnlad kl oo opaassrsCd nnoasftisn rde vapopou g adoeiflmrsgapcltr oeydet trrapeaohmsdraieq elc eeipsymuduttsak uheci ,ecsnmc t iareatonuGodaatdaent im ettablbwi ydandlbtrlep lobe aeg,yuyi a t-lr d tsya ue HinAhdwn eorp ymeemm sdna- Irsrota eoseeoauts r odfrqur amoin& ic.rnfr eio eae dd,und r TrdHtscopIvaskavruIeiprkiiitiwdrnnnmnrEoheeeaheeTATT tiiitvorapfeleedttu aseccaAa D itoqqiehh caphhhqmvttntsne-trumhhietornrduhhuuhg ars iitkeeeeere, ecccipr fd mopoeneiiie.dhr gvwlsp smonapfrrtsill omgadueacee vreefd oetimt eraiol etvpalip ketflaerrnorssieoddn4i esaooinsoneoemmdpntuefaeec ddcruid os5ostfrtaeuthawpdnte atnlld es eie. neo asorH0ours oalnripaa o aassbt ced r dlpTeuwf rimilfad bunlrft8oborr.,lunlatlr eto v hreo h odmhednuptd dmuse,tyn1or c tefho0 rethiwshmei etndp a rfs l, w eledoshnlepevouo5 nb0uewttere y dgeec hoyuos e e pcafdfl t0 ara0t s wuhor iraenta aupHeaovrenrttssaiia l0ifp sni nt lsorvctrutiu sar.vgrtni wecuovdiiaolsmfr m hoeacgrgtmnbeplsrh Aoaatkd p neite io.lrbrfiov hi Ih sitesao evt banoaeEc ne gaspheemenfee tfeipondruga ug icax ghDollr l lcet iensdgwia iesatnfdrlpeem lsrleto a feeeht sk e s lcihyurditege tiae olwtipwt ovasohfrictitana piexaptneneod tsre hnkea etsnrapsrp lseeddrk..i- ucmsr eeewie nlco de i sattvaw smerba ev TlTrw -ee dto kufv w enoe permwnealhpeothewhhio-oneamadedoaredsul lresialr,aoiaeyen fngdnitgonmgtus ie. n l aiortso vad t s y1xtKgphcy e hechdfifhCuFe n iFuaeo ,lo tAen te .ar fetet2r ehRntsdhw osRltodrobu r2aRda.gsdvWede0 asdmos rtAm rliapeoCAkdi l daende bnt 0a etoa aGxnoeihti eooGHsce twid dry or nnhtt d f dtf std Ir l i V giy 6ttt aaia5 o hdhhE n n eeea n ariewcommhnroaipagguArsesrrii‘nn nnseods Tudueavieols n.lethle aydTocmr tf hmdo ec aeiueeosondsul doaLi rivngte leiosrdnnlevue gelebHarg doulsenp em 2o nraty onvth sa sevaae r esitbm sdt tmobaleyoocufkod tkru-tns asprifistn okk pn fteirI unhar t artniac hinqhooetke uAdaat sfehR g lvye Ceae a H7hsI i V.casE6 let 2a npdcwbaDeaadtWOatwaoItMatfvamsrniohhhgA uh nrnlnnnrieee-oeri Edrb 2eeooee tlihd2 derdiavrlcfi.nehagntn4 Mweauliis5ettan0hb o aovHael pgiig9 urmofdna nn,tlmesgaov0alkfumlroB ouhsey p tnf.agataih1 um45erep s spi menornwsnedwltb ioic9rttAger.lo rslichei yeurhan5o eag neioa avtceuhawn jdlli edc4nbeatyied6nnlu e tetsmtr orep lotMrh o pe nty0m malce tnmne h etednstMpah wt e mbnihen mro tc,Heon ho wddmoomdfe em i fdswaden yf tgghefio om u oambairmrih. ti a utgeavtF re earagd uwsrctprhesueHT ereesod d eRiesrdapruoesiaqyt g t fefdihihxnd dehMea3tinmoioisAnd wmrnsurtsch petimw g ror o6egicwsrtno Gh halaaGa dm na eeesaoss n0ol wteuepududtesebor thr u er iaeoa-haris5rico v t .ead rmcneoeersd aH s s.dadpunreo naaisv(aaie n rnmtopaneTueaea wouat isuacssr cvwsdosnmoggi thmlra.imn dlhnon aodrmaedi i itd ntreadeieres To dsluatahbem me mvy sa hr creasnomah d ranee6e.Uemn iut tAl uo.caecsfolierwxt he apet stc aSdaartcvuhpt haAayups e osreaishilecarc h nvipm laeKr e ro n y msMac fotas rvh rc cavbdpoa ooseskuewlkaieatcprlneearroase ’rloetwe iidlaseimnioot eeetedrgmge lr uucw.dt ags aat iftmuach d otunsr ctf ybeevhesniweil pietfn n eoda al..ii i h let fndaon e o,wgfosailndb re o f gn es a li ret h
68 69
6688 TThhee AArrmmoouurreedd HHuummvveeee
Craig Allen looks at problems the Humvee
faced during the first Iraq insurgency
COVER IMAGE: Tankfest 2018. This M4A1
Sherman Havoc is a product of Lima
Locomotive in 1943. It has been driven more
than 500 road miles since restoration as part
of Operation Market Garden commemorations.
THE TANK MUSEUM
www.facebook.com/cmvmag
4
June 2022 Contents
Classic Military VehicleIssue 253
Regulars
12 News / Letters
News and views from the military world
Gear WashBag CTCToohhwwuurreeccllhhiillll ffSrtnoiroooto arttem y£pva e1dgo wn3rrlieyct.ws e2eu 5w wswpi.hnoimteghnri celtyihh totoaisuh.r .e yo P Akfwefivicretaf.iaeaciltcloa htFm befrroel e/rnm ctirghiph st
Guide
ArmeqfrouoimpAum saeerrnoletue cantnidodd nt h goHeaf dwtogiooserltlsds,t oryMWdtkSyAhhoiottrdihamtnu dpyoyk yino s n c-yeu:gtl/oeeh / uMadeta nm aron oraeHneknd imytd lowe ukura?se sw edehupit hbm w atshhghai.s eotA Dpva.aodirl’asgl b/ lfeol frr £oe1m2 .99rMat RAcsaAswlnh vetyoaeeataapnihl taii.ntn ioabwggenwl meudee pl f.slt or eeiaosra n gmpypryos.e u ubhrak fltseno/t ce opw tefdls eodf,:ol /rl. r /i a £s8 caClockPSoAlicSe Poncho
WbtwOfnhraaoaneittmrem thfhl ae .ti masro hemtc oto ntf.arrroupeyopwks msto:/.h,/ f Aa /fcWaosnhvrhro1mra oor2£ilonldp01aui c .9bWCrl.eel9Gead 9 r I Badge
TankHatLUonp gitr.a Adivea yifloaubrl eew ofrrok mar sehat twpsith:y/ /at apnrok msmuosdeeulletmr smheaot pw.oithrg mt/h efo icr o£n2i3c Tigser Bulfolrh £tt8Tpe5wsto:h/.fir/ olsoAletuKhfiv dmgtoeah hetepiehlop .a weiutc wb ttilwrto lamhWecac kt.rfokho rsrr oiroo lsdwgmfo r.hWtmeu hipckeaslhi / rc a DWsApvheaoci liaDalba flroeer sicf erWosm iginns wt.h Hweo wwn.ooerupldri cowmnietih loi ttfha tirshi aeS .mcAoSom sbt/a i cd fogoneri. c £ 4.95
wGithet atat hnrremiksao mocdtrhufagyurirp s/oset .oedfms oA uu ce rvmmhe va£ltomesit1llbpuha2ertsobr.ai9o :plto/e9ne/.f Bank Pen Print
Got a product you’d like featured in our Gear Guide? ERwbwm-aehimilndlciicktehhaa,ra nrpriaylege lsksecrosifatem .b.d ccAloteo vvu fmohaebaril/ ldenaa fsdnboi t yalrwoe s t£ ar rfia2rprim oa1 pi.mneol9@trw5o w ekthrw eew y.publishing.com vaKreitoehpius s tbr acucollkelo to-usaf rhcwsa. hupfarkeotd/em N vfpoe eohrrn ty£tt.oe p2Au0s:v :na/Pe/islerahdibco ltepeo . sinwn ai dtmho . not includeCatpe hnprpeuidnilmoect .bbms bAor atiowvlatiseatitgat ih Blrya eitroabhi tu.aliasceri non ocf’smwrodo mfin m n pfmgeo rwaseret mec w£hn1okow 9ruaa..r9tg iv5ien g
18 19
18 GGeeaarr GGuuiiddee
Gadgets, gear and cool military ‘stuff’
23 Military Vehicle Market
Nigel Hay on the military vehicle scene
24 Books
New releases for your military library
27 Collectable Books
Italy Stars
42 Events List
Key dates for military shows and events
72 Workshop
Eliminating ‘bonnet slap’ and other Jeep
mods and fixes
78 The Gamer
Behind the Scenes words Nik Wyness pictures The Tank Museum
L8AM8SMetu06c tta’shs ee eBMngun Bemoeeoto ehPvsoiuainrncgveitfdoir’csne t Tshaenk TTefaesaoTiaTnTtidri MBTefbnnlefiigssggfm oviw woeetgeieeiae ekrrsuuf pe orr tdnorea,e1 s tral”acrtgatvr l3vt hikaeoHtlv isci1 easnaubiny epifesn aeagnroTouteeek.pxey.g iysek ndrriega. gh He r tsrdtt voraoorwis hecimM beisemDintwhenstorrii i eat ntiggsaai artreh k1iiconeo goivys gn.se3 ipl”niet rg t ueno .oi1sahTret a .ggo a Tef“ t eicrttbf BopgmhW odesa htmgu heawliunp r yohaesesatrr tee eo noin ee t t cssritfactilci rc eeeeia l hanl hw twud wimracwniepngoTavannh’hrokc dsa eunranaiciaoseqr tk ot,riin kocoie n sesuowgmtonksannss hrodeueanphls el koa mky tio aopioin eo dggnns tlnn wro pox ehv ter auti d eMapretv ehrfsbn nhtma a enrredeu to.neimtmh vy nrnia wta“s uiioengheiinFooontpro ny ged nraus rrlo teae k lc gshvaemy s e eetsh er u o pdm ha opgaohehpfsatrcdtih etreIFWsor’soifTpeiernsss iedseosv thiomauee rtc ei puiem te swtrlprrr edopin hcp cssfraatNTetaalaankueae . hyetraea torirmlat,nrmro Cha rdane etiahfttntteii nnekhtm .i mhadyomoki igrcoe agteF ereMec nue taeeln eraoe wc osrrp,ecuhclna si seiWud en stmqisatoet lfth siron kto ce otrua tmerewsopttnu oTcoernivTlion r ymamyre vpamuTT.ecyefla icee swl ls ioigecdweninggaTatnsa ,m xasce eeHaris jblmnceuembieanenrrletEpumta r dyiu .etendtDiry o ttlu sa,eTtTn an.ot t u pashhtAnttt wkahs1hehhsreywgrrakNeetneoie..eae s t 3 oadKcs2 ruT t atflef usiueeo 0 ag1nah fbMqo ts l ar0ndehimedosa eur dU. e a arc edsirhuee erMxSamykcoeonuravcxc sEi ldnemgivfv uhtedk,oUeonee r i meenetwr1eyndfMs hk dced 0n dta saeehlohaski ro yfnem o fi trrsn dt dneeut htaehoe regg e ierir eoaaaawTffmgsrsroptraacoctTwetttrivofifaidrrautTT2tttoouahihhaaeeeeeig siuarTTTAWTFTTWTFTug g tnnrshonn0nfrehipiraselig‘rieart rcoknteeequaasi,it ul npmohigfhhogdhhhhhthodeom uiimta2imesiue hnosqarwlecetftsl dmcukssheiuf rokteiretoioetet ieeeeec lnvuhw 2rr u nascnr mr nkunptru a.h half neewpyaieaaae oes t s i rdknrrurr is.nogasyelagie nMhitecleeh absfrn s d eDlidasfeg tda nelerepnny ao,aseehf ttoorothhllilol o.i ,hne sn sc.eoi e oetoa hn ,e,ner gdfvt tdaaanggunli asaleHaoiawa9 r aoff wnte vs mgtooxee Trsn e tefdata m ay imcotlatk s sfsnrdn orp tia0eher5.tmsttLit h lsntr dttau iaerii lans n rh s et heitgo oav tae a wdel wr s leaerw6tsTier lisvaee w,sTslrc rlpgtt obloe meeaeh.ud2e uv n e trpi nau’csvil lit ia0 th r nTowrev eionh sla e enoe i cntsio1r Wramgn tyfsor tetelrgulnhanbi ih eueeioeeatsh.w esuini s estmnoegshnn0 tylftnghse noxc 1egn oiineen ydrtosss saai u tdenpaashe weodsji ge l iTeiiaaerhorbt3nresur fnaotipcmf p tnewog rse ugen nl ese leear ion,ri ia llc riaaer1eaagncuDesrm cnihluyl a glteneitMt.n r n sdhgnewciresehn rochre,k nia u lnsr tt n ebs oe o ta tr eeaae hudpg ast tmaaS tiu oiheeh.m afhnaiicihgniasmcg etoie agpenofou n ni cry to at kihltnurn s addevsavAeaeodth rey s hfusiedvrh eaes ny fodighuni1endisnrephekregsni tctnittb ec n.p . edtnxotco ye,adiaaea ru bo3.cos ebeadw nso snou aeikrgitoatb Lrhe nodtddi–ayublr wr rtkrh1nr yfiogy nr ebeugaf.ewspwu lst c f a tdeoie cilf egl uf re.iee. s oh baea vebto gue ta ndbs oaHe.iwlahttsvpf hwta nadno(i,ltlro s ei estiohroro iulcauesiraka s. nhmuuie a tweint ey oaetn,ga e rtntptns .Hder en shrrdiitg lTdpsehl,tlhkp.astsgst v tshefwd nTTbltee a e e t rme tahectfreopL hey edlS ikCopi .e oodhoa‘uat actryi,inrioffhr oo tlggcraFvsd oc ne utnuule narepshenl fp ecetra2yttgxcwwi eecftuo tkrewebai h ohrmtodenm t,ego pe el4wiea tt3Tra a. a bhn oeielp rraosaocaae o eblwdna tmtanih t ,ns 0tnisvnBpf adeiir nee 5geonacrso gnlD1r wxlnoniu nwetmlia,tk,eenydintleecnci.egs a mnttyke0faoue’3d uan,yhuiyd aeif cr t nengl . oh nnkekn r oitrgdt1out wTo0 k’ulg tnecryt niodes t b ggbos so-e,ns geu ilreeis huu aiphgg e maobsns totlo ,i iiiteeeiedt owbiylengnstoir eg o rpof ed eohtuteginwe.er lcbtr Ttta a a a ua.e a ennpnlk ch hs isagfte Tdiacgunoiitn1trbons th ,lgt cieeirh)r y hsnonc o7td.erge tree’eu r ek ,i gf fr s e rr
Craig Moore’s military 80
world
Subscribe
and Save
Make great savings when you
subscribe to Classic Military
Vehicle today.
See pages 28-29 for this
month’s special offers
www.twitter.com/cmvmag
5
words andpictures Craig Moore
Craig Moore reports on the
Filling the
Morris light reconnaissance
car originally designed to
combat concerns of a
German invasion of Britain
Void
during World War Two
J
une 25, 1940, is the official date
for the end of the evacuation
of the British Expeditionary
Force from France. Evacuations
continued after the rescue operation at
Dunkirk, from the ports of St Valery, Le
Harve, St Nazaire and Nantes.
More than 63,000 vehicles, including
tanks, armoured cars, lorries, staff cars,
and motorcycles, were destroyed or
abandoned during the evacuation. The
British Army needed to rearm quickly
due to the fear of an imminent German
6
The Morris light reconnaissance car invasion of Britain. The vehicle was fitted with a smoke
(LRC) 4x4 Mk II on show at the Yorkshire Like other British car companies, Morris- bomb discharger on the side of the turret,
Wartime Experience
Commercial Cars Ltd promptly designed enabling them to safely retreat behind
and built a light armoured car to help fill a smokescreen if they ran into a vastly
the void. It was called the Morris light superior enemy force.
reconnaissance car (LRC) 4x4. It was powered by a Morris four-cylinder
There was no time to design a bespoke 72hp petrol engine and had a top road
armoured car. Morris used the chassis, speed of 50mph with a range of around
engine, and other mechanical parts of its 240 miles. The Morris LRC Mk 1 was a
Morris light truck to form the basis of the rear-wheel drive vehicle, whereas the Mk
new vehicle. II was a four-wheel drive.
Rolled steel plate was welded together The gearbox is the same type as you
to build a protective body. The armour would find on a late 1930s Morris truck.
thickness ranged from 8mm to 14mm. The four-speed and reverse gears are on
This would only stop small arms fire and a standard ‘H’ configuration. It is a crash
shrapnel. box, so you must double declutch to
The driver sat in the middle, while to advance or descend to the next gear.
his right, the second crewman operated The Morris LRC’s dimensions were 13ft
the 0.30cal Bren gun in a 360° rotating 4in long, 6ft 8in wide, and 6ft 2in tall. It
open-topped turret. He also had to act as weighed 3.7 tons. The driver did not have
the ‘commander’ and tell the driver what the luxury of powered steering, but for a
was happening to the left and right of vehicle of this weight, it is remarkably light
the armoured car as he had very limited to steer.
vision. The later production Mk II vehicles had
Although the cabin had a flap that could a thicker armour-plated floor to increase
be opened at the back to enable the the crew’s chances of surviving the blast
driver to see behind him, he still needed from a mine. One of the good design
the commander to help spot any hazards. points of this vehicle was the armour
The third crewman on the driver’s left plate welded to the bottom of the hull. It
used the hull roof hatch when locked into concealed most of the mechanical parts
a vertical position, as a gun shield when and protected them when the vehicle
firing his Boys anti-tank rifle to the front or was going over rough ground. The
rear while also operating the radio. smooth flat surface assisted the driver
‘Between 1940 and 1944, Morris
produced approximately 2,200 Morris
LRCs, but only a few survived’
Owner Debbie Brook standing next to her
newly restored Morris light reconnaissance
car (LRC) 4x4 Mk II
7
and they confirmed that it was.
The turret was on the right of the vehicle and armed with a Bren gun.
On Monday, we phoned the BBC back
The hatch on the left side could be raised to provide a shield and
mount for the Boys anti-tank gun and said: ‘Last Friday we told you that
we couldn’t find a tank to restore, but
we have located a very iconic rare British
World War Two armoured car that we
think fits the bill. It is in poor condition but
could be restored.’ We sent them some
photographs, and within 24 hours, we
received the go-ahead.”
Because Debbie wanted ownership of
the armoured car at the end of the filming,
the BBC did not finance the project. It
only paid a fee to film in the workshop
when a film crew visited. The first day of
filming was at Rush Green Motors.
A crane with a large hydraulic power
grab managed to lift the Morris LRC and
place it on the back of a recovery truck.
It had been driven into the scrap yard
The inside of the front under its own power in the 1960s. All the
right side door had tools top armour, including the turret, had been
strapped to it
removed. A large windscreen was fitted
across the front of the driver’s position.
The small crew hatches had been
relocated on both sides of the vehicle.
Post-war, it was used in this configuration
as an open-top car. Its full history is not
known.
The soft metal parts, like the mudguards,
were missing. The hull had broken its
back and was in two parts. It was held
together by the metal floor. The engine
was still in the back, and the original front
nose cone section was still present.
In the scrapyard, a metal skip had
been placed on top of the armoured car.
in negotiating different obstacles: if the Dickson, in Malaysia. That last one was This helped prevent the rain from doing
Morris LRC bottomed out, it could slide used to protect convoys of logging lorries damage to the inside of the vehicle. The
over them without getting snagged or during the Malayan Emergency conflict. dashboard and instruments had not
damaged. I was delighted when I heard that the been removed and were in a reasonable
Both versions of the armoured car had welding and fabricating skills of Debbie condition. When it arrived at Debbie
a large square opening next to the spare Brook and the mechanical knowledge of and Paul’s yard, they had to use angle
wheel at the rear armoured panel. This her father Paul Brook, had saved another grinders to cut through the thin metal
was the air intake and it would have been Morris LRC from being scrapped and had floor to enable the vehicle to be lifted off
covered by a mesh panel to keep out dirt been restored to a working condition. the lorry in two halves.
and stones. Its first public outing was at the 2021 I asked Debbie if she had drawn up a
The Morris LRC first saw service in 1941 Yorkshire Wartime Experience, where I schedule of restoration tasks and worked
in the deserts of North Africa. They fought had the opportunity to ask Debbie about out which ones to start first. She said:
in Sicily, mainland Italy and northwest the restoration. She explained: “On a “We were given a 12-month deadline by
Europe after D-Day. Some Morris LRCs Friday at the workshop, we received the BBC. As with all restorations, the ‘tin
were used in Britain and abroad for RAF a phone call from the BBC’s The One work’ and armour fabrication were not
airfield security patrols. They were also Show. One of their researchers had found the problem. The biggest concern for us
issued to the 12th Podolsk Regiment and our webpage called ‘Rusty trucks.’ He was the engine. It had been exposed to
15th Lancers Regiment of Poznan, from inquired if it was possible to film us to go the elements and may have completely
the 2nd Polish Corps. After the war, they to France, pull out a World War Two tank seized up.
were used in Palestine. from a hedgerow and then restore it. “This type of Morris engine was used in
Between 1940 and 1944, Morris There was a lot of laughter after we put its lorries, so there was a good possibility
produced approximately 2,200 Morris the phone down, following our answer of finding a replacement engine and
LRCs, but only a few survived. There that it was not possible. That weekend spare parts. The only difference between
is one on display at the Imperial War over a few beers, we discussed the the tank and truck engine was that the
Museum Duxford, The Tank Museum has matter. Earlier that year, we had visited carburettor was on the side of the tank
an Mk I and a Mk II, three are in private Rush Green Motors in Hertfordshire engine.
collections in the UK, two in the US and spotted a derelict Morris LRC. We "We removed the engine and sent it
and one at the military museum at Port phoned them to see if it was still for sale to Bill Bannister of Bannister Engines in
8
Preston; he is an absolute legend when it I asked Debbie how she decided on question as to where it saw service.
comes to fixing poor condition engines. the camouflage markings. “I get a lot of “Somebody in the past could have reset
Some weeks later, we had a phone call complaints that it should not be painted in the mileage clock, but I doubt it. We even
from an elated Bill, saying that he was ‘Mickey Mouse’ black circles on a green had staff from the Morris Archives up to
sending the engine back to us as it was background camo”, she said. the workshop to look at it. They had lost
now in a fully working condition. It even “I have kept all the damaged pieces a lot of their records in the large fire they
came back with a new coat of paint.” of armour we cut it off during the had but could not find any information
Parts of the original armour were restoration. They all have the ‘Mickey about our vehicle in the surviving
missing. Debbie and Paul made a 12-hour Mouse’ paint scheme on them under documents. We asked Speedy Cables to
round-trip car journey to visit Ian West layers of green algae. I just copied the keep the original mileage.”
in Kent. He had restored a Morris LRC. original camouflage.” The turret spins on rollers 360 degrees,
They took lots of photographs and The instrument dials were still in the powered by brute force. The operator
measurements. Ian had made several dashboard, but they needed to be forces his back against the chair and
accurate paper templates of the hull and serviced or repaired. The speedometer pushes with his feet to move the turret to
turret armour panels, just like those you was sent to a company called Speedy bring the machine gun on target.
find in a dress pattern. He had used them Cables which specialises in repairing The original turret had been scrapped,
during the restoration of his vehicle and these types of instruments. Debbie so Debbie and her father had to make
gave them to Debbie. explained: “They phoned us and said, a new one from scratch. Ian West had
The Morris LRC had its original radiator, ‘We have had a look at your speedo. Do supplied the individual paper patterns for
but it was missing a fuel tank. A new you want the mileage back to zero, or do each panel of the turret and the Morris
replacement fuel tank was built, but you want it with the original miles on?’ Archives had provided copies of the
there was a problem when an attempt “Even though the face had gone, they original drawings.
was made to fit it into the engine could work out how many miles it had Debbie’s brother Dan Brook took
compartment. The ‘T’ piece that runs done. They told me they discovered it had measurements of the turret ring. He then
under the engine and over the back axle only done 762 miles. So that raises the constructed 3D CAD drawings that
had to be fabricated.
‘The gearbox is the same type as you
Unfortunately, it was found to be half an
inch out. The engine and ‘T’ piece had to
would fi nd on a late 1930s Morris truck’
be unbolted again and removed from the
engine compartment to enable alterations
to be made, allowing the fuel tank to be
correctly fitted. That took a lot of extra
work.
Then it was found that the fuel output
pipe was in the wrong position. That had
to be taken out, new sections of pipes
fitted, soldered together before being
refitted to the fuel tank and engine.
This Morris LRC is marked as belonging
to the 17th Field Company, Royal
Engineers, 3rd Infantry Division. It has
a red triangle painted on a larger black
triangle on the right front mudguard,
and the number 51 is painted in white
on a cobalt blue square on the left front
The turret gunner’s seat had a ready rack for spare Bren gun magazines
mudguard.
This is the rear of the Boys anti-tank gunner’s
hatch. It was armoured and provided some
protection from small arms fi re
Inside view of the turret The driver sat in the middle of the vehicle
9
armoured car. mudguards had been removed and had
"A turret built using the dimensions from to be replicated.
the Morris plans will result in a gap at the The headlight was missing, but luckily
rear of the turret. A turret built following a replacement was purchased from a
the paper patterns will have a gap at the military surplus stall at the War and Peace
front. Show. The leaf spring suspension fitted
“He drew a turret based on Ian’s paper on each axel still worked, however, the
patterns but slightly altered so that it braking system had to be replaced.
would fit the turret ring.” Morris LCRs The armour at the rear of the vehicle
were handmade and not constructed had been cut down at the top. This had
on a huge production line. Individuality to be replaced, and the square air intake
may have crept into the manufacturing protective grille needed fabricating.
process. Most of the internal metal plates that
When the laser-cut turret panels were surrounded the engine bay are original,
delivered to the workshop, they were tack apart from the engine deck hatches and
ABOVE: The turret gunner and driver’s seat are welded into position and checked that some of the side panels that had been
to the left of the photograph. Behind on the right they were the right size to fit the turret cut away.
are the rear circular vision ports that are covered ring. When that was confirmed, they were The front upper vertical hull armour
with an armoured hatch
welded together. The turret rollers had had been removed and replaced with a
TOP: The rear armoured fl ap had to be raised to be fabricated and fitted to enable the wraparound windscreen. A new metal
to enable the driver to see where he was going
turret to move. section was welded into position, and a
when reversing
The previous owner had cut the side driver’s hatch was made.
were going to be used to laser cut the panels to lower the side hatches. This Debbie dusted down her little-used
new armour panels for the turret using made it easier to get in and out of the sewing machine and made new leather
Ian’s templates, photographs, and the vehicle. New taller side panels had to be coverings and fillings for the three crew
Morris drawings. laser cut and welded into position. seats and the protective head bump
“Two days later, he phoned me and This included cutting out the crew’s cushion.
asked which turret did I want? I was side hatches. The old hinges, locks and The driver’s seat can slide backwards
confused,” said Debbie. “He said the latches were kept and used on the new and forwards to accommodate drivers of
drawings would make one turret, and the hatches. The original armour plate on different sizes and make it easier to get
paper patterns will make a different sized the front ‘nose cone’ of the Morris LRC in or out. Debbie has obtained a Bren
turret, but neither of them will fit your was in a good condition, but the side gun and smoke bomb launcher but is still
looking to buy a Boys anti-tank gun.
‘We sent them some photographs, and She is naturally proud of what they have
achieved so far and we’ll hopefully be
within 24 hours, we received the go-ahead’
seeing a lot more of the armoured vehicle
on the show circuit.
RAF Morris LRC in Tunisia, March 30, 1943 WIKICOMMONS
10