LANCHESTER ARMOURED CAR Mk. I

LANCHESTER ARMOURED CAR Mk. I
Image: Lanchester Mk. I (IWM)
Year1932
Vehicle Type[@type]
Origin & Designer[@designer]
Numbers Produced18
Crew4 (Commander, Gunner, Driver & Radio Operator)
Main Armament1 x .50 Vickers Heavy Machine Gun
Main Armament[@sponson_traverse]
Elevation[@elevation]
Turret Traverse360° (Manual)
Gun Traverse[@gun_traverse]
Gun Mount[@gun_mounts]
Maximum Range[@maximum_range]
Armour Penetration[@armour_penetration]
Gun Sight2.82m
Secondary Armament1 x .303 Vickers Machine Gun (Coaxial).
1 x .303 Vickers Machine Gun (Bow).
Smoke Discharger[@smoke_discharger]
Ammunition CarriedAmmunition Carried: 1.000 x .50 & 5.000 x .303 Rou
Height2.82m
Width2.02m
Length6.10m
Combat Weight7.000 kg
Ground Clearance0.26m
Fording Depth[@fording_depth]
Trench Crossing[@trench_crossing]
Obstacle Clearance[@obstacle_clearance]
Climbing Ability[@climbing_ability]
RadioNo 9 Set
ArmourHull Front: 9mm.
Hull Sides: 9mm.
Hull Rear: 9mm.
Hull Top: 6mm.
Hull Bottom: 6mm.
Gun Mantlet: 9mm.
Turret Front: 9mm.
Turret Sides: 9mm.
Turret Rear: 6mm.
EngineLanchester 6 Cylinder (Petrol)
Transmission4 Forward & 1 Reverse
Maximum Road Range320 km
Maximum Cross Country Range[@maximum_cross_country_range]
Maximum Water Range[@maximum_water_range]
Maximum Road Speed72 kph
Maximum Cross Country Speed[@maximum_cross_country_speed]
Maximum Water Speed[@maximum_water_speed]
VariantsMk. IA:
Vehicle Type: Command Car.
Total: 4.
Radio: No. 9 Set.
Mk. II:
Notes: New Cupola and single tires.
Mk. IIA:
Vehicle Type: Command Car.
Total: 4.
Radio: No. 9 Set.
NotesThe Lanchester 6×4 was the first armoured car in the British Army to be based on a specially designed rigid chassis with drive to all four rear wheels. They were also the first armoured cars to have a rear driving facility as standard. The Lanchester was issued to Territorial Army units based in the UK. Some were sent overseas, mainly to Malaya and fought against the Japanese.