The Armored Carrier Wheeled Indian pattern is a four wheel vehicle. The armored Indian pattern armored body was manufactured in India on the Canadian GMC chassis (many by the Indian Railways), or on the universal G.M.C./Ford chassis shipped to India from Canada. The MK 1 version had the motor in the front, but from the MK II onwards the motor was in the rear. This same chassis powered the South African Marmon-Herrington Armored Cars, and the Canadian manufactured G.M.C./Ford Quad Field Artillery Tractor. It was used throughout the Commonwealth. There were 4 major models and 3 more with minor modifications, including Mk.1, Mk.2, Mk.2a, Mk.2b, Mk.2c, Mk.3, and Mk.4. They were produced between 1940 and 44. The Mark 1 and Mark 2 vehicles were issued to the 4th and 5th Indian Infantry Divisions in North Africa 1941-42. The 10th Indian Infantry Division in Syria 1941 used the MK 2. The MK 2 was also on issue to Malaya Command in 1941 until the Singapore surrender 15th February 1942. The Mark 2 appears to have been used in Malaya by the 9th and 11th Indian Infantry Divisions. Some Mark 2 ACV were obtained by the 8th Australian Infantry Division and were used in Singapore by the 18th British Infantry Division. Indian infantry divisions operating in Italy during 1943-45, all appear to be equipped with MK II or later marks of the Armored Carrier 4 Wheel Indian Pattern. The vehicle served in India 1942 - 46, and was also used by the Royal New Zealand Artillery in Korea.  Specifications (Mk.2a) Crew 3 to 4 Engine Petrol Weight 5797 lbs Speed 49.7 mph Armament Boys ATR, Bren LMG Length 472 cm Width 226 cm Height 198 cm Armor .55" Back to Table of Contents The Messenger November 2003 Back to The Messenger List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2003 by HMGS/PSW. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles covering military history and related topics are available at http://www.magweb.com