Humber Light Reconnaissance Car

Humber I light reconnaissance car (Ironside I).

The Humber Light Reconnaissance Car, also known as Ironside, was a British armoured car produced during World War II.

Humber Mk III Light Reconnaissance Cars of 29th Independent Squadron, Reconnaissance Corps (attached to 214 Infantry Brigade) at Shanklin on the Isle of Wight, on the 5th of March 1942. The vehicles are armed with Bren guns and Boys anti-tank rifles. In the photo the front fenders run along the line of the armour, this suggests that it is in fact a Mk II.

Produced by the Rootes Group, the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car was an armoured car based on the 4x4 Humber Heavy Utility (Humber box) chassis. It was equipped with No. 19 radio set. From 1940 to 1943 over 3600 units were built.

The crew of a Humber Light Reconnaissance Car feeding pigeons in Hamburg on the 4th of May 1945.

The vehicle was used by Infantry Reconnaissance Regiments and the RAF Regiment in Tunisia, Italy and Western Europe. Three Mk I vehicles were modified for use by the British Royal Family and the Cabinet ministers and were known as Special Ironside Saloons. After the war, some vehicles remained in service with the British units in India and in the Far East. The LRC was used widely by the Reconnaissance Corps.

The pilot of a German aircraft, shot down while attacking an ammunition dump in the Anzio bridgehead, descends by parachute, on the 21st of March 1944. A Humber Mk III light reconnaissance car can be seen in the foreground.

Variants

Humber I light reconnaissance car (Ironside I).

Mk I - original version with open-topped hull.

Humber Light Reconnaissance Car Mk II

Mk II - received roof armour and machine gun turret.

Humber light reconnasissance car Mk III.

Mk III (1941) - four-by-four chassis. Externally similar to the Mk II.

Humber light reconnaissance car Mk IIIa.

Mk IIIA (1943) - had additional vision ports at the front angles of the hull.

Humber Light Reconnaissance Car Mk III

Surviving vehicles

Humber light reconnaissance car Mk IIIa.

Dutch Cavalry Museum has the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car in its exposition.

Humber Light Reconnaissance Car Mk II

Humber Light Reconnaissance Car

Production history
Manufacturer Humber
Number built 3,600

Humber light reconnaissance car Mk IIIa.

Specifications

Weight Mk I: 2.8 t
Mk II: 3 t
Length 4.37 m
Width 1.88 m
Height 2.08 m
Crew 3
Armour up to 12 mm
Primary armament Boys anti-tank rifle
Secondary armament 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Bren machine gun
Engine petrol 80-87 hp (60-65 kW)
Power/weight 29 hp/tonne
Suspension Mk I, II: 4 x 2 wheel
Mk III: 4 x 4 wheel
Operational range 180 km
Speed 72 km/h (45 mph)

Humber light reconnaissance car Mk IIIa.