Humber armoured car
| Industry | Automotive, military vehicles |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Guy Motors (armoured car production) |
| Founded | 1940 |
| Headquarters | Luton , United Kingdom |
| Products | Humber armoured car |
The Humber armoured car ranked among the most extensively manufactured British armoured cars throughout the Second World War. It served as a complement to the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car and maintained active duty during the conflict.
Development
Due to limited production capabilities at Guy for their armoured cars, the Rootes Group was assigned early in the war to create an armoured car derived from the Guy model. Karrier, a Rootes subsidiary, modified their KT4 artillery tractor chassis—already in use by the Indian Army—by repositioning its engine to the rear and equipping it with welded armoured hulls and turrets sourced from Guy. Utilizing these established components allowed for rapid prototype approval and an initial contract for 500 units in 1940, with deliveries commencing in 1941.
To prevent confusion with the British Universal Carrier tracked vehicle, the Karrier name was omitted; instead, these vehicles received the designation "Armoured Car, Humber Mk 1," named after Humber Limited, another Rootes firm. Manufacturing took place at Karrier's Luton plant under Commer supervision.
The initial Humber models closely resembled the Guy design, including early armour weaknesses that were subsequently addressed. The Mark III introduced a three-man turret and production ended in 1942 after 1,650 units had been completed.
Although more intricate than the Daimler Armoured Car, Rootes’ greater manufacturing output enabled simultaneous production alongside Daimler efforts. While developing a prospective successor—the Coventry armoured car armed with a 40mm 2-pounder gun—the Mark IV was launched featuring an American 37mm gun but with a reduced crew size. Since the Coventry was not adopted, production of the Mark IV continued up to approximately 2,000 units.
Design
The Humber incorporated a box-shaped chassis with a rear engine placement and a front gearbox connected to a central transfer case distributing power to both front and rear differentials. The vehicle employed rigid axles on leaf springs paired with hydraulic shock absorbers at both ends. Its welded armoured body was mounted at four points to optimize structural flexibility alongside stability.
Vision forward was achieved through a front flap within the "cab," integrated into the glacis plate beginning with the Mark II version and shielded by replaceable Triplex bulletproof glass. Additional side vision flaps and a rear bulkhead flap combined with an engine cover mechanism allowed for rearward observation.
The turret housed one 15mm and one 7.92mm Besa machine gun, was manually traversed, and had the vehicle commander serving also as wireless operator.
Service history
Entering service in late 1941, the Humber saw action during the North African Campaign with formations such as the 11th Hussars and was widely utilized in Europe by British and Canadian reconnaissance regiments. Some vehicles were deployed along the Persian Corridor supply route. The British Indian Army operated Humbers during Burma's reconquest, while Portugal received several units in 1943 for use by its Army and National Republican Guard.
After World War II, Humbers remained operational in Egypt (1948–49), Burma, Ceylon, Cyprus, Denmark, India, Mexico, and the Netherlands. In Burma, they were employed by the 16th Light Cavalry, part of the British Fourteenth Army.
Following Indian independence, the 63rd Cavalry used Humber Mk IVs before switching to Daimler vehicles. Some Humbers transferred to Pakistan’s Armoured Corps during partition, serving alongside Stuart tanks in Light Armoured Regiments. Indian Army Humbers and Daimlers were also utilized by the President's Bodyguard and saw deployment at high altitudes during the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
During Operation Polo (1948), Hyderabad State Forces operated Humbers against Indian troops. These vehicles also participated in the 1961 Indian invasion of Goa, equipping Portuguese reconnaissance squadrons that engaged invading forces in border clashes and efforts to break encirclement near Mapusa.
Survivors
A number of Humber armoured cars, both operational and static, have been preserved throughout North America and Europe. The Tank Museum in Bovington, England, houses the only remaining original Guy Wheeled Tank alongside a Humber Mk II, although the latter is not on public display at present. The Australian Armour and Artillery Museum located in Cairns, Australia, exhibits a Mk IV model. Additionally, two vehicles from Portugal are showcased at the Museu do Combatente in Lisbon and the Military Museum of Elvas.
In the United States, a fully restored Humber Mk IV is actively utilized in living history presentations and reenactments. This vehicle saw service within both British and Portuguese forces, notably participating during the Carnation Revolution.
Variants
- Mark I
- This initial version featured a hull design derived from the Guy armoured car Mark 1A. It was equipped with one 15 mm and one 7.92 mm Besa machine gun, operated by a three-person crew consisting of a driver, gunner, and commander. Approximately 300 units were manufactured.
- Mark II
- An enhanced model featuring an improved turret design along with reinforced armour around the driver’s compartment and radiator. Production numbers reached around 440 units.
- Mark II OP
- An observation post configuration outfitted for artillery communications, armed with two 7.92 mm Besa machine guns.
- Mark III
- Introduced a larger turret accommodating three crew members by including a wireless operator to relieve the commander from radio responsibilities.
- Mark III "Rear Link"
- Replaced the main gun with a dummy to install an amplified Wireless Set No. 19 High Power radio system and generator; typically issued two per regiment to facilitate Brigade-Division Headquarters communications.
- Mark IV
- Equipped with either an M5 or M6 37 mm high-velocity gun from the United States, replacing the earlier 15 mm Besa and reducing turret crew to two. Turret hatches were redesigned accordingly. Production totaled approximately 2,000 units.
- AA Mark I
- A Mark I variant fitted with a Stothert & Pitt turret mounting four 7.92 mm Besa machine guns capable of near-vertical firing angles accompanied by an anti-aircraft sight. Introduced in 1943 to provide anti-aircraft support at roughly one troop per regiment but withdrawn by 1944 due to Allied air dominance. A twin 15 mm Besa armed version was also produced.
Second World War
Post-War
See also
- Fox armoured car – Canadian armoured vehicle based on the Humber Mk III
Sources
External links
- Humber IV at Armyvehicles.dk
- Mk.4 & Mk.4 photographic collections at Tanxheaven.com
- Dutch Cavalry Museum exhibiting two Humber Armoured Cars alongside the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car
- ↑ Major-General Syed Ali Hamid (2021). At the Forward Edge of Battle: A History of the Pakistan Armoured Corps 1938-2016. Warwick, England: Helion & Company Limited. pp. iii. ISBN 9781914377471.