British Lanchester 6×4 armoured car

*****This model is supplied with separate hatches and rescaled 15mm files where necessary. A pack of assorted tools, fuel cans etc is also included, as well as files with/without wheels etc. All models also have pre-supported options.*****

The Lanchester company developed the Lanchester 6×4 armoured car in the late 1920s and early 1930s for the British Army and Commonwealth forces. It was based on the chassis of the Lanchester Motor Company’s luxury tourer, but with a stronger and more rigid frame to support the weight of the armour and weapons. The car had a six-wheeled drive system, with four wheels powered by a 90 hp petrol engine. It had a crew of four, including a driver, a gunner, and two machine gunners. The main armament was a turret-mounted dual Vickers machine gun, with one .50 inch and one .303 inch caliber. The turret also had a rotating cupola for observation. Additionally there was a hull-mounted .303 inch Vickers machine gun on the left side of the driver. The car had a maximum speed of 72 km/h and an operational range of 320 km.

Originally designed for reconnaissance and patrol missions, the Lanchester 6×4 proved to be too large, slow, and top-heavy for this role. It was also vulnerable to anti-tank weapons and mines. Relegated from a front line role, it mainly saw use with the Royal Naval Air Service and the Territorial Army in various colonial conflicts, such as the Arab Revolt in Palestine and the Anglo-Iraqi War. The Lanchester 6×4 also saw action in the Battle of Malaya during World War II, where it fought against the Japanese invasion.

Ultimately, more modern and agile armoured cars, such as the Daimler Dingo and the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car replaced it in almost every role