LANCHESTER ARMORED CAR - RUSSIAN SERVICE with 37MM HOTCHKISS GUN - 1918

Description

The Lanchester Armoured Car was a British armoured car derived from the Lanchester Sporting Forty touring car produced during the First World War. It should not be confused with the later interwar period six-wheeled development. In 1914, the Lanchester was the second most numerous armoured car in service after the Rolls-Royce. Designed by the Admiralty Air Department for the Royal Naval Air Service Armoured Car Section in France it was intended to support air bases and retrieve downed pilots. A prototype was produced in December 1914 with production following in early 1915. A number of changes were made; principally strengthening the chassis and suspension, and doubled rear wheels fitted to the rear axle to improve traction, weight distribution. The vehicle had a distinctive circular turret with a narrow horizontal roof with central hatch, steeply sloped at the sides, and continuous sloped bonnet plating. This last, together with a much more compact form than the earlier Rolls Royce Armoured Car achieved by positioning the driver beside the powerful and reliable engine, which featured an epicyclic gearbox) gives the Lancaster a deceptively modern appearance that matches its paper specification when compared with its later inter-war 6x4 version. Thirty six of the production version were sent to France in May 1915, one twelve-car RNAS squadron served with the Belgian Army. In addition, Belgium received between 10 and 15 cars on loan from the RNAS. On the Western Front it served its intended purpose despite what were considered advanced features. However, with the rough road conditions and even rougher cross-country treks the 4x2 Lanchester chassis caused difficulties which were never satisfactorily resolved, limiting its usefulness. (Scale : 1/35e)