soldiers in action

Interior image of an LP-3 (Australian Armoured Car)

THE AUSTRALIAN ARMOURED CAR

The production history of these vehicles started with a research and development phase between 1931 to 1933 involving the Munitions Supply Board, the Tank Section of the Small Arms School at Randwick, NSW and the Ordnance Factory at Maribyrnong, Victoria. In November 1934 the experimentation culminated in the production of one LP-1 (Local Pattern) model named Corroboree which was nicknamed Ned Kelly. The hull, made from armour plate supplied by Hadfields of Sheffield, England, was mounted on a 1933 two-wheel drive Ford truck chassis and powered by a 50 horsepower four cylinder Ford engine.

Extensive testing during 1935 proved the LP-1 model was unsuitable as a military vehicle due to its large weight, high centre of gravity, and noise. There was also a severe lack of interior ventilation that was especially dangerous when the mounted .303 calibre Vickers machine gun was fired, causing a high level of cordite fumes and carbon monoxide within the hull.

In 1937 two LP-2 models were produced. One named Billabong, was based on Ford components whilst the second named Boomerang was based on Chevrolet components. The engine in the Ford version was upgraded to a side-valve V8. Weaponry now was a .303 Lewis light machine gun.

In June 1939 six LP-3 models were built and at the turn of 1939/40, nine LP-4 models were built. The LP-3s & LP-4s were almost identical apart from the drive configuration with the LP-4s being equipped with a Marmon Herrington All Wheel Drive Kit making them a four wheel drive vehicle. They were respectively based on 1938 and 1939 Ford truck chassis' and powered by 85 horsepower Ford V8 engines.

The vehicles were declared obsolete during 1942.

LP-4 "Crow"


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