S1 Scout Car Explained

Scout Car S1
Origin:Australia
Is Vehicle:yes
Used By:United States
Wars:World War II
Design Date:1942
Manufacturer:Ford Australia
Number:40
Crew:5 (Commander, Driver, 3 Gunners)
Length:4.4m (14.4feet)
Width:1.9m (06.2feet)
Height:1.8m (05.9feet)
Weight:4 tonnes
Armour:6 mm
Primary Armament:1 .50 Browning M2HB machine gun
Secondary Armament:2 .30 Browning M1917A1
Engine:Ford V8
Engine Power:95 hp (71 kW)
Suspension:4x2 or 4x4, leaf spring
Pw Ratio:23.7 hp/tonne

Scout Car S1 (American) is an armoured car produced in Australia for the United States Army during the Second World War.

History and description

In 1942, the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in Australia issued a requirement for a light armoured car to be used in patrolling and airfield defence. The requirement resulted in a vehicle designated Scout Car S1 (American). About 40 vehicles were produced by Ford Australia.

The vehicle was based on a Ford F15 4x2 chassis (a single 4x4 vehicle was built). The open-topped armoured hull was similar to that of the M3 Scout Car. The armament consisted of one .50 inch (12.7 mm) heavy machine gun and two .30 inch machine guns on skate rails, operated by the crew of five. [1]

They served in defence of Australia and did not see any combat. [2]

Survivors

As of late 2017, two S1 cars are known to be preserved: one restored at the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum, in Cairns,[3] and another in a private collection.[4]

References

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: WarWheels.Net-Scout Car S1 (American) Index. www.warwheels.net. 2020-02-16.
  2. Web site: Scout Car S1 (American) Armored Car. WW2DB. 2020-02-16.
  3. Web site: Exhibits. Australian Armour & Artillery Museum. en-AU. 2020-02-16.
  4. As posted in Facebook on 10 Nov 2017 by the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum.