Bedford MW | |
---|---|
Type | General service truck |
Place of origin | United Kingdom |
Service history | |
In service | 1939–late 1950s |
Used by | British Army, Royal Air Force & Royal Navy |
Wars | Second World War |
Production history | |
Designer | Bedford Vehicles |
Designed | 1937 |
Manufacturer | Bedford Vehicles |
No. built | More than 66,000 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 2.1 long tons (2.1 t) |
Length | 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) |
Width | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
Height | 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) |
Crew | 2 |
Engine |
Six-cylinder inline Bedford OHV 210 cu in (3.5 L)
petrol 72 bhp (54 kW) at 3,000rpm |
Payload capacity | 15 long cwt (760 kg) |
Drive | Wheeled 4x2 |
Transmission | 4 forward, 1 reverse |
Suspension | Live axles on semi-elliptical multi leaf springs |
Maximum speed | 40 mph (64 km/h) |
References | Chris Bishop [1] & Pat Ware [2] |
The Bedford MW was a general service truck used by the British Armed Forces during the Second World War.
The Bedford MW was a 15 cwt (760 kg) 4x2 truck, powered by a Bedford 72 bhp (54 kW) six-cylinder inline 210 cu in (3.5 L) petrol engine through a four speed transmission. [1] [2]
Despite lacking four wheel drive and so being unsuited for off-road use, the MW's powerful engine, short wheel base, low centre of gravity and relatively light weight gave it excellent acceleration and almost sports car like handling. [2]
The early MWs were open cabbed with a folding windscreen and a collapsible canvas tilt, from 1943 an enclosed cab with doors and perspex side screens was added, retaining the canvas top. The vehicle had a distinctive wide bonnet, necessitated by the need to accommodate a special extra large air filter that was never fitted to production vehicles. [1] [2]
In 1935 the War Office issued specifications for a new 15 cwt 4x2 military truck for service with the British Army, inviting manufacturers to submit designs to take part in annual comparative trials in north Wales, one entrant was a modification of a Bedford Vehicles 2-ton rear wheel drive lorry. Following these trials Bedford fitted a larger radiator and larger tyres, the trials were repeated in 1936 after which Bedford modified the chassis to increase ground clearance and installed a new engine cooling system. For the 1937 trials a new special Bedford WD-1 prototype was produced with a 15 cwt payload, it performed admirably and in 1938 the eventual 72 bhp (54 kW) engine was installed. [1] [2]
Between 1939 and 1945 Bedford produced over 66,000 MWs, the vehicles remained in British service until the late 1950s. [1] [2]
The MW was intended mainly to be a workhorse for the British Army's infantry battalions, but throughout the war it was adapted to a number of roles and was eventually also used by the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, other government departments and some overseas customers. [1] [2]
The Bedford MW was built in multiple variants including: [2]