Morris light reconnaissance car

Introduction

A reconnaissance car built in England during WW-II, on the chassis of the standard Morris light truck. This particular car was used in the D’ Day Normandy landings. To make it easy for the Allied airplanes to identify, an American star was marked.

Sidenote about manufacturing companies.

One of the hundreds of examples of contemporary big companies which actively manufactured war equipment during the WW-II.

Approximate Values

Weight: 3700 kg
Length: 4.06 metre
Width: 2.03 metre
Height: 1.88 metre
Power: 72 hp
Engine: Morris 4-cylinder petrol, rear
Fuel tank capacity: 65 litre
Top speed: 80 kmph
Maximum range: 230 km
Armour: 8-14 mm

Operation

The seating arrangement for the crew was unusual. The driver sat in the middle, with the machine gunner to his right, who operated a Bren machine gun in an open-top turret. To the left of the driver sat the radio operator, who also acted as the gunner of the Boys tank gun. To do this, a two-part hatch had to be opened, with the front part serving as a shield.

Armaments: Bren LMG(visible on the left), Boys anti-tank rifle(visible on the right).

The space above the rear engine was often used as storage space. The vehicle’s center of gravity and its underbody construction resulted in good off-road capability.

Demo

Usage

From 1942 to March 1945, more than 2,200 of this 3.7-ton vehicle were produced. Production costs were relatively moderate: a Morris LRC cost just 900 pounds sterling. This was partly due to the production time and the economical design of the body. It was self-supporting (“monocoque construction”), the box-like armored superstructure was prefabricated in two parts, which were then bolted and welded together. According to official statistics from June 1945, 2,274 Morris LRCs had been ordered and only 30 had not yet been delivered at that time.

The vehicle was used in the North African, Italian and in North-West Europe campaigns. Some served with the RAF Regiment, others were given to Polish units.

Disclaimer

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