Canadian WWI Armoured Autocar

Autocar in Canadian War Museum, November 2014.

One of my favourite artifacts from the Canadian War Museum was restored to running condition this year and shipped over to Belgium to take part in the end of WWI commemoration activities in Mons, Belgium on November 11.  As a kid and even today, this vehicle has always been interesting to see.  I would have loved to see it run in person in Ottawa or in Mons.  I have yet to find a video of it running in Belgium.

This armoured car was built in 1914.

From the Canadian War Museum:
This armoured car was manufactured by the Autocar Company. Built on a two-ton truck chassis, the car had 5mm of armour at the front and 3mm in the rear. With its solid rubber tires and 22-horsepower engine, it could reach speeds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour on roads, but had very limited cross-country capability. Its twin Vickers machine-guns could each spew 450 bullets per minute. (source)

Canadian armoured cars going into action at the Battle of Amiens.

(source: Library and Archives Canada)

Canadian armoured cars pass through Mons, Belgium.
(source: Library and Archives Canada)

Videos

Autocar driving in Mons

Below are three videos of the autocar being restored before being shipped over to Mons.

Autocar in Mons: Facebook link (video)

Photos

source: Link

More photos of Autocar in Mons

For the wargamers, there is a 1:144 scale model of the Autocar available from Shapeways: link

Also available is the Flames of War 15mm pack of two.

My final painted 15mm Flames of War armoured cars.