Armoured Carrier Wheeled Indian Pattern
Encyclopedia
Armoured Carrier, Wheeled, Indian Pattern (ACV-IP), known also as Indian Pattern Carrier or other similar names, was an armoured car produced in India during World War II
.
Those produced by Tata Locomotives were called "Tatanagars" after the location of the works
for armoured fighting vehicle
s. It led many Commonwealth countries to develop their own vehicles. As production of heavy armoured vehicles, such as tank
s, required advanced industry which those countries lacked, most of the developed fighting vehicles were armoured cars, often based on imported chassis.
In India a series of armoured vehicles was developed, known as Armoured Carrier, Wheeled, Indian Pattern or ACV-IP. These vehicles utilized Ford
/ GMC CMP truck
chassis imported from Canada
. Armoured hulls were constructed mainly by the Indian Railways
. The armament typically consisted of Bren light machine gun, in some variants mounted in a small turret, and Boys anti-tank rifle. The No. 19 radio set
was carried. The vehicle was in production from 1940 until 1944, a total of 4,655 units were built.
The ACV-IP was used by Indian units in the Far East
, Middle East
, North African Campaign
and Italian Campaign
, typically in divisional reconnaissance regiments, as reconnaissance vehicle, personnel carrier, AA weapons carrier or Forward Observation Officer's
vehicle.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Those produced by Tata Locomotives were called "Tatanagars" after the location of the works
History
At the outbreak of World War II the United Kingdom was unable to meet the needs of the CommonwealthCommonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
for armoured fighting vehicle
Armoured fighting vehicle
An armoured fighting vehicle is a combat vehicle, protected by strong armour and armed with weapons. AFVs can be wheeled or tracked....
s. It led many Commonwealth countries to develop their own vehicles. As production of heavy armoured vehicles, such as tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
s, required advanced industry which those countries lacked, most of the developed fighting vehicles were armoured cars, often based on imported chassis.
In India a series of armoured vehicles was developed, known as Armoured Carrier, Wheeled, Indian Pattern or ACV-IP. These vehicles utilized Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
/ GMC CMP truck
Canadian Military Pattern truck
The Canadian Military Pattern truck was a class of military truck made in large numbers in Canada during World War II to British Army specifications for use in the armies of the British Commonwealth allies. CMP trucks were also sent to the Soviet Union following the Nazi invasion of Russia, as...
chassis imported from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Armoured hulls were constructed mainly by the Indian Railways
Indian Railways
Indian Railways , abbreviated as IR , is a departmental undertaking of Government of India, which owns and operates most of India's rail transport. It is overseen by the Ministry of Railways of the Government of India....
. The armament typically consisted of Bren light machine gun, in some variants mounted in a small turret, and Boys anti-tank rifle. The No. 19 radio set
Wireless Set No. 19
The Wireless Set No. 19 was a Second World War mobile radio transceiver designed for the British Army to give armoured troops reliable communications.- Specifications :...
was carried. The vehicle was in production from 1940 until 1944, a total of 4,655 units were built.
The ACV-IP was used by Indian units in the Far East
South-East Asian theatre of World War II
The South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was the name given to the campaigns of the Pacific War in Burma , Ceylon, India, Thailand, Indochina, Malaya and Singapore. Conflict in the theatre began when the Empire of Japan invaded Thailand and Malaya from bases located in Indochina on December 8,...
, Middle East
Middle East Theatre of World War II
The Middle East Theatre of World War II is defined largely by reference to the British Middle East Command, which controlled Allied forces in both Southwest Asia and eastern North Africa...
, North African Campaign
North African campaign
During the Second World War, the North African Campaign took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943. It included campaigns fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts and in Morocco and Algeria and Tunisia .The campaign was fought between the Allies and Axis powers, many of whom had...
and Italian Campaign
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
, typically in divisional reconnaissance regiments, as reconnaissance vehicle, personnel carrier, AA weapons carrier or Forward Observation Officer's
Artillery observer
A military artillery observer or spotter is responsible for directing artillery fire and close air support onto enemy positions. Because artillery is an indirect fire weapon system, the guns are rarely in line-of-sight of their target, often located tens of miles away...
vehicle.
Variants
- Mk I — initial version, based on Ford model 1940 truck chassis with motor in front, fitted with a Marmon-HerringtonMarmon-HerringtonThe Marmon-Herrington Company, Inc. is an American-based manufacturer of axles and transfer cases for trucks and other vehicles. Earlier, the company built military vehicles and some tanks during World War II, and until the late 1950s or early 1960s was a manufacturer of trucks and trolley buses...
all wheel driveFour-wheel driveFour-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
kit. - Mk II — Ford CO11QRF chassis (all wheel drive, motor in the rear, right hand drive).
- Mk IIA — modified armoured hull.
- Mk IIB — thicker armour.
- Mk IIC — Ford C191QRF chassis, armoured roof and small turret for Bren MG.
- Mk III — similar to Mk IIC, with slightly modified hull. 276 units built.
- Mk IV — Ford C291QR chassis, open hull.