Dingo Scout Car

During the Second World War, the Dingo Scout Car was built in Australia. It was a light armoured car, produced by the Ford Motor Company in 1942. A total of 245 units were built. At that time, the United Kingdom dedicated their armoured vehicle production to more immediate needs in Europe. The inability to purchase vehicles from the U.K. forced Australia to develop and build their own armoured and scout cars.

The Dingo was built on a commercial chassis called the Ford 30-cwt that had a 134.5 inch wheelbase. The chassis was shortened to 110 inches and equipped with a Marmon-Herrington all wheel drive kit. The kit provided the vehicle a 4 wheel drive, leaf spring suspension. The vehicle was powered by a Ford V8 engine with either 85 or 95 hp. The body armour (front 30 mm, sides and rear 10 mm) was manufactured from ABP-3 (Australian Bullet Proof plate type 3) by Victorian Railways. The vehicle was equipped with a 0.303 (7.7 mm) Bren Light machine gun and Mk19 wireless. It could run up to a speed of 90 km/h.

The model had two major setbacks. The weight restricted off road mobility, and when travelling over rough terrain the front axle was vulnerable to being bent.

All 245 vehicles built were disposed of in 1945. Existing models of the scout car can be seen at the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) tank museums at Puckapunyal Victoria, at the Australian War Memorial and at the Melbourne Tank Museum in Narre Warren. There are also some units in private ownership. Get a branded usb with your favourite car designed on it by following the link.