Armoured Carrier Wheeled - Irish Pattern
As referenced obliquely in
this post, in 1940 the Irish Army has ordered a number of "armoured carriers" from Ford Ireland. Ford Ireland's factory in Cork produces both cars and trucks; and it is the latter which interests us today. In the main, the Irish Army has previously bought military trucks from abroad, but the increasing capacity of Ford Ireland (between 1932 and 1938, they produced 25,000 vehicles) has resulted in the Irish Army ordering directly from their local supplier. Among the trucks assembled at Ford Ireland are trucks of the F60 class, with the three-ton Ford F60L 4x4 (158.25" wheelbase) and the F60S 4x4 (115" wheelbase) being the largest of the breed. These chassis and their 3.9L 95 hp V8 engine were seen as the basis for an Irish armoured vehicle.
The "Armoured Carrier Wheeled - Irish Pattern" is not a single design per se, but rather an evolving series of vehicles with strongly similar characteristics, built on these two similar chassis. You might dare to call the ACW-IP an improvised armoured vehicle, which is perhaps an apt term to describe the design effort which went into it - particularly as, even when similar vehicles were delivered, the Army saw fit to modify the vehicles on an almost individualistic basis to do different roles. More than anything else, the vehicle is intended to be reliable in operation and simple in design. Two "models" - so to speak - eventually will emerge in service. Both models retain substantial similarities in design. The engine is mounted forward, with 5mm steel slats protecting the engine while providing airflow. The nose is short and somewhat angular, with the cab protected by a steel screen with hinged flaps for driver visibility. The cab features a driver's station and a gunner's station, with a rooftop mount for a Lewis or Breire gun, or a Boys AT rifle. On occasion this rooftop mount features an armoured shield on a small turret ring for the gunner - but because it's unpowered, this is a jolly heavy mount to turn by hand, but what do you expect? Behind the driver and gunner is a cabin which usually has two bench seats for several infantrymen who are friendly with each other. Troops can embark or disembark from the door on the gunner's side (left), but this requires the troops to squeeze past the gunner; and so the two aft-opening doors are preferred for accessing the infantry compartment. In addition, since the roof is usually open, you can theoretically go over the side, but most infantrymen who try it in full kit don't particularly think this is a bright idea. Particularly if they've already broken an ankle once trying it. The roof is usually open to the sky, but there are rings along the edge to secure a canvas cover (if desired) and some versions have a folding roof. Other versions have a flat sheet roof - this being particularly used for the combat ambulance variant and the command truck version. There are several hooks, rings, brackets, and baskets on the outside of the vehicle useful for securing extra supplies, such as spare ammo, shovels, packs, fuel cans, water cans, milk cans, beer cans, small dogs, the squad's most junior infantryman, and other assorted sundries necessary in the conduct of war. In other words, an ACW-IP soon assumes an appearance more akin to a Traveller's wagon than an actual armoured vehicle.
The Mk1 ACW-IP, or "Light Carrier", is built on the slightly shorter F60S chassis. In general, Mk1s are assigned more as reconnaissance vehicles (in which case they are equipped with a radio, except when they're... not), or as artillery observer vehicles (in which case they are equipped with a radio, except when they're... not) or as mortar carriers (in which case they are equipped with a mortar, except when they're... you guessed it). Some of the Mk1 vehicles with a full roof have an alteration which puts a Breire or Lewis gun in a small turret side-by-side with a Boys rifle; the turret is mounted roughly in the middle of the vehicle's aft compartment and (surprise) actually has power to help turn it. The radio operator is displaced to a spot next to the driver.
The Mk2 ACW-IP uses the longer F60L chassis and, since it has more room in the back, it oddly seems to be preferred as an actual
infantry carrier. Funny thing, that! In practice, eight to ten skinny infantrymen can fit in the compartment. The Mk2 is additionally used as a combat ambulance because the aft compartment is long enough to contain two stretchers side by side. The Mk2 is also preferred by company commanders who believe that rank hath its privileges.
In terms of mobility, the ACW-IP isn't half-bad. On a road - by which we mean something wide, flat, and moderately hard-packed - you'll make 45 miles per hour (75kph), particularly if you really rev that engine up and make it howl like an alley-cat choir. Transmission's a manual of course, with five forward and five reversing gears, though the fifth reversing gear is most often used when backing into a tree or ditch. Off-road, you'll be looking at maybe 20 miles per hour tops, though you can probably push it faster if you want to be bounced out. That's not to say the suspension's bad, but when you don't have a roof overhead you might want to think about these things beforehand. Just note that the driver's seat isn't provided with any special cushions or springs, and the infantrymen in back have a wooden bench. Whatever you decide, the tyres can probably take the punishment, as they're military-style.
Armour-wise, soldier, you're better off in the ACW-IP than you are outside of it, provided you're not facing tankers. The frontal armour is calculated to deflect a .303 armour-piercing round at a hundred yards, and so is the side armour. Non-armour-piercing rifle and small-caliber MG rounds will be deflected at lesser differences. Pistol caliber rounds will similarly be rejected. But don't try shooting your Browning directly into the side armour at point-blank range to prove it - it'll deflect off the armour and shoot your eye out, you dumbace! The armour's also decent against a Boys rifle at, oh, four or five hundred yards, and if the angle's right it might stop a 20mm round at eight hundred yards or so. We don't really need to discuss actual tank calibers, do we? Look, if the tank can
hit you, then the shell will go through, that's the hard facts, kids.
Speaking of hard facts, let's give a rough overview of them in the list form.
Mk1 ACW-IP (as recon car)
Weight: 4.8t
Length: 4.75m
Width: 2.2m
Height: 2.5m
Crew: 3 (driver, gunner, radio operator)
Armament: Boys Rifle plus Breire or Lewis gun in turret
Mk1 ACW-IP (as command car)
Weight: 4.7t
Length: 4.75m
Width: 2.2m
Height: 2.4m
Crew: 2 (driver, gunner)
Capacity: 4 men
Armament: Boys Rifle, Breire gun, or Lewis gun in pintle mount
Mk1 ACW-IP (as mortar carrier)
Weight: 4.8t
Length: 4.75m
Width: 2.2m
Height: 2.45m
Crew: 6 (driver, gunner, 4 mortar crewmen)
Armament: Boys Rifle, Breire gun, or Lewis gun in pintle mount; 60mm mortar in the back
Mk2 ACW-IP (as infantry carrier)
Weight: 5.0t
Length: 5.0m
Width: 2.2m
Height: 2.5m
Crew: 2 (driver, gunner)
Capacity: 8-10 men
Armament: Boys Rifle, Breire gun, or Lewis gun in pintle mount; infantry small arms
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