Bedford QLT 8th Rifle Battalion, Polish 1st Armoured Division, Germany, 1945 (1:72)

When WWII broke out the British War Office contracted Bedford to produce a 3 ton 4X4 general service truck. In February 1940 the prototype of the QL series was ready with full production beginning in March 1940 at their Vauxhall factory in Luton. As the war progressed there was a need for various types of 3 ton trucks. Bedford devised trucks for troop carrying, fire tenders, communications, tankers, Bofors gun tractor and several others applications. Between 1940 and 1945 there were approximately 52,250 QL trucks produced.

The Polish 1st Armoured Division was formed in Scotland on February 25, 1941. The Division fought in Normandy, through France, Belgium and the Netherlands before entering Germany in the Emsland area on April 8, 1945. On May 5, 1945 German forces capitulated and on May 6, 1945 the Polish 1st Armored Division occupied the German Naval Base at Wilhemhaven. They remained in northwest Germany as the occupation power until the Division was disbanded. Most Polish soldiers didn't return to Soviet occupied Poland and chose to live in exile.

Specifications Bedford QLD

Type ' 3 ton GS (general service) cargo lorry (truck)

Origin 'United Kingdom

Operators ' RAF and British Army WWII

Crew ' 1 + 11 passengers

Dimensions
Length ' 5.99 m (19 ft 8 in)
Width ' 2.26 m (7 ft 5in)
Height ' 2.54 m (10 ft)

Performance
Engine ' Bedford 6-cylinder, liquid cooled, displacement of 3,519 cc (214.7 cu in) producing
72 hp (54kW)
Transmission - 4-speed gearbox
Fuel - 127 liter (28 gallons) / petrol (gasoline)
Range ' 250 km (156 miles)

Weight
Empty ' 3,277 kg (7,225 lb)
Maximum load ' 6,985 kg (15,400 lb)

QL variants
QLB ' 40 mm Bofors Tractor
QLD ' General Service, Mobile Canteen, Mobile Kitchen, Observation Tower, Dump Truck
QLC ' Fuel Truck, Mobile Switchboard, Studio
QLR ' Radio Vehicle
QLT ' TCV / Troop Carrying Vehicle is 3 feet 5 inches longer than the QLD
QLW ' Winch Dump Truck