The Australian Armoured Car
 

Armoured Car fans may be interested in this article I wrote for our Returned Services League newspaper. Ada (my wife) and I are part owners of this unique vehicle.

THE AUSTRALIAN ARMOURED CAR

The production history of these vehicles started with a research and development phase between 1931 to 1933 involving the Munitions Supply Board, the Tank Section of the Small Arms School at Randwick, NSW and the Ordnance Factory at Maribyrnong, Victoria. In November 1934 the experimentation culminated in the production of one LP-1 (Local Pattern) model named Corroboree which was nicknamed Ned Kelly. The hull, made from armour plate supplied by Hadfields of Sheffield, England, was mounted on a 1933 two-wheel drive Ford truck chassis and powered by a 50 horsepower four cylinder Ford engine.

Extensive testing during 1935 proved the LP-1 model was unsuitable as a military vehicle due to its large weight, high centre of gravity, and noise. There was also a severe lack of interior ventilation that was especially dangerous when the mounted .303 calibre Vickers machine gun was fired, causing a high level of cordite fumes and carbon monoxide within the hull.

In 1937 two LP-2 models were produced. One named Billabong, was based on Ford components whilst the second named Boomerang was based on Chevrolet components. The engine in the Ford version was upgraded to a side-valve V8. Weaponry now was a .303 Lewis light machine gun.

In June 1939 six LP-3 models were built and at the turn of 1939/40, nine LP-4 models were built. The LP-3s & LP-4s were almost identical apart from the drive configuration with the LP-4s being equipped with a Marmon Herrington All Wheel Drive Kit making them a four wheel drive vehicle. They were respectively based on 1938 and 1939 Ford truck chassis' and powered by 85 horsepower Ford V8 engines.

The LP-4 models were built at the Railway Workshops at Islington, South Australia.

The list of the 18 armoured cars along with their believed deployment is as follows:

LP-1
¨ DD-220 Corroboree (Ned Kelly)
¨ 1st Armoured Car Regiment, Horsham, Vic.

LP-2
¨ DD-221 Billabong
¨ DD-222 Boomerang
¨ both to the 1st Armoured Car Regiment, Horsham, Vic. However a photograph of Billabong, on exercise in 1940 at Glenfield, NSW suggests either a joint exercise between the 1st & 2nd A/C Regiments or deployment to the 2nd.

LP-3
¨ C-314 Crow
¨ C-315 Curlew
¨ C-316 Cockatoo
¨ C-317 Stingray
¨ C-318 Starfish
¨ C-319 Snake
¨ all believed to the 1st and some later to the 2nd Armoured Car Regiment, Ashfield, NSW.

LP-4
¨ C-6278 Devil
¨ C-6279 Dingo
¨ C-6280 Bandicoot
¨ C-6281 Porcupine
¨ C-6282 Possum
¨ C-6283 Pelican
¨ C-6284 Wolf
¨ C-6285 Wattle
¨ C-6286 Warpath
¨ all believed to the 1st Armoured Car Regiment in Horsham. There is a possibility that Porcupine went to the 2nd as the hull was located in NSW.

The vehicles were declared obsolete during 1942.

The post war history of the Bandicoot is that in 1974, Col Anderson, a military vehicle collector, located the hull on a farm near Elmore in Victoria. It had been stripped of its doors, turret and interior fittings with the original chassis having been cut up and the engine sold for parts. In 1981 the chassis, in poor condition, was found in a wrecking yard in Epsom, Victoria. Restoration began in September 1998 after an unsuccessful 24 years searching for other parts and literature.

The Bandicoot is hybrid vehicle. The hull is believed to be C-317 Stingray on the chassis C-6280 which belonged to Bandicoot. The only other known surviving armoured car is C-6281 Porcupine but it is now only a partial hull.

The Bandicoot is on display in the SA Military Vehicle Museum in Port Adelaide and is available for parades and displays.

(Bibliography - Australian Military Equipment Profiles Vol.3 by Michael K.Cecil and former members of both Armoured Car Regiments)

Re: The Australian Armoured Car
 

Interesting history, Bob
Of course there are more pictures to be seen on my site taken at Corowa...
http://www.oldcmp.net/bandicoot.html

Bob,

Do you know this picture?

Regards,
Hanno


http://www.statelibrary.vic.gov.au/a...m/an008767.jpg
Source: State Library of Victoria
Australian Armed Forces on training courses [picture]
Date(s) of creation: [ca. 1941-ca. 1943]
10 photographs : gelatin silver ; 17.0 x 12.0 cm. or smaller.
Reproduction rights: State Library of Victoria.
Accession Number: H98.105/5216
Image Number: an008767

Porcupine
 

Hello Hanno
I hadn't seen this one before and it adds to my AC portfolio. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. As you would be aware there were only 18 made of which I have 10 captured as images. I still need images of Cockatoo, Stingray, Starfish, Snake, Dingo, Pelican, Wolf and Wattle.

And here is Porcupine in March 2002 with me driving her.

Bob

Porcupine Pic 2
 

I am so happy - only ned eight more images for the complete set.

Bob

This might be Stingray
 

http://cas.awm.gov.au/pls/PictionPRD...AID&parm2=2000

Source: Australian War Memorial

ID Number:
133676


Maker:
Wilson, D H

Physical description:
Black & white

Summary:
FORD ARMOURED CAR (AUSTRALIA). THE BODIES FOR THESE CARS WERE MANUFACTURED IN SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RAILWAY WORKSHOPS.

Stingray
 

Beauty Keefy, I reckon you are right. I'd been through the AWM site but there are so many search variables that I missed this one.

Of interest, John Belfield visited the other week and spent half a day with "Bandicoot". He now has an original and restored chassis and is restoring "Porcupine". When thats done there will be two of the 18 in running condition.

Now lets find images of the remaining seven.

Bob

Stingray image
 

This is the image which should have been on the above post.

...And here's a bit of one...
 

Ref: Image No: an008730
Accession: H98.105/5179

Australian Armed Forces on training course] [picture]
Date(s) of creation: [ca. 1941-ca. 1943]
10 photographs : gelatin silver ; 17.0 x 14.0 cm. approx.
Reproduction rights: State Library of Victoria.


This shows the distinctive shape of the door.

http://www.statelibrary.vic.gov.au/a...m/an008730.jpg
Source: http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/

Re. Bit of One
 

Hi Keefy

Now thats a good shot. Not so much for the door but the interior that I was able to enhance somewhat with my software. Now we need to identify the steering wheel and the lever to the left of the driver. This lever could possibly be connected to the louvres in front of the radiator.

This is the first interior image I have seen. Keep digging.

Bob

Re. Bit Of One 2
 

This is exciting. Been playing around with the software a bit more and brought out a bit more detail, I think.

Bob

another LP4......
 

Bob,

Here is another LP4 that is not on your list, "Crow". Picture in link taken in Feb. 1939 outside Sydney Town Hall in a parade for the Lord Mayor's Patriotic Appeal.

http://libapp.sl.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/...G/2151/25471,8

Richard

Nice image.
 

Their "Picman" database defeated the link...

Here's the pic.

Another one from the same library
 

Win the War Week: Soldiers' Day, Martin Place (taken for Mr Bridges, Savings Bank)
Frame order no. : Home and Away - 20384

Re: Another one from the same library
 

Keith,

Yes I saw that one, but could not identify it, but have just looked at Bob's early posting and see that it is "Starfish", an LP3. I wrongly said "Crow" was an LP4 it is in fact an LP3.

These shots have a facility to enlarge with high detail, the photographer who took this series, Sam Hood, I think, has done some very good shots of the Vickers Light Tanks, see the thread.

Richard

Thanks for sorting the pic out, I checked the link and it worked then but not now!

Databases
 

The search engines on these databases seem to have a time out feature. The AWM one is like that too.

The NSW library also has a great series of pics of a brand new F60S tipper taken for a Ford dealer. They're incorrectly labelled "Chevrolet"

Beauty Ripper guys. Just made my Monday even better as there are now only two sleeps and we're off to Corowa. I'll add these photographs to my collection when we get back.
Bob

Bob,

Have good trip, and take some photos to put on the forum, for us poor sods that can't get there this time :(

Richard

Photos
 

I'll go one better than that... the YOTAC DVD will be in production this week! :)

Re: Photos
 

Good on ya Keith :)

Will have to get one sent over.

Richard

Salesman Bob AND Salesman Keefy!! :D :D

Hey Bob
 

When are you traveling to Corowa?

Do you have a boot full of saleable items?

I'll have one or two... including some surprises!

Corowa Trip
 

Leaving AM Wed 15. Only have caps, this years, Scout Car and retro Blitz, Studebaker, Dodge and Carrier (10 only of each) on board plus four restored panels that are somewhat overdue, INCLUDING YOURS MAX. I had to test 6 temperature senders before I found one that worked. If they have been finished we should have some sets of speaking tubes as well. I also have shopping and selling lists for various contacts around the country. One sleep to go.

Bob

Curlew for sale!!
 

Crikey, Bob! Curlew is up for sale on E-bay! Item No 250341779832.




















Sorry Bob. I had to keep it relevant! :doh:

Tony
 

What does the "DD 220" mean or represent?

It refers to the registration numbers. Pre-war, the Defence Department used number plates with the letters "DD", a red Broadarrow, then 2 or 3 numerals, with the letters and numbers being white on a black background .

Dingo on the move
 

Following footage shows a short bit of Dingo. "'Battle' of Broadford. realistic Victorian Army Manoeuvres".
Trust Bob will be able to identify.

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=50682

Rich.

Billabong Armoured Car wireless
 

Interesting pics of the wireless setup in the 'Billabong' LP Amoured Car.

The two cases containing radio tubes are some kind of amps ? with speakers.

The radio set. I don't know what it is ? It appears to have a tune-able receiver with the round dial.

Old memories.......
 

....... when did Bob M. terrible accident occurred????

Fond memories of Bob's postings on MLU and not forgotten.

Bob C.

Deceased MLU members
 

Bob, this year it will be 10 years ago already: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=20502

He is one of 20 members on here we know to have passed away - there may be more that I am not aware of. Their user names have (RIP) added and their threads and posts are kept on here as a record of what they brought to our collective hobby.