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{{refimprove|date=February 2012}}
{{refimprove|date=February 2012}}
{{Infobox weapon
{{Infobox weapon
| name=Otter Light Reconnaissance Car
| name = Otter light reconnaissance car
| image= IWM-NA-7854-Otter-LRC-Grazzanise-194310.jpg
| image = IWM-NA-7854-Otter-LRC-Grazzanise-194310.jpg
| image_size = 300
| image_size = 300
| caption=An Otter crossing a [[Bailey bridge]] over the Volturno river at Grazzanise in October 1943
| caption = An Otter crossing a [[Bailey bridge]] over the Volturno river at Grazzanise in October 1943
|is_vehicle=yes
| is_vehicle = yes
|is_UK=yes <!--for "ou" in "armour" spelling -->
| is_UK = yes <!--for "ou" in "armour" spelling -->
| length={{convert|4.50|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|4.50|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| width={{convert|2.16|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|2.16|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| height={{convert|2.44|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|2.44|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight={{convert|4.44|t|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|4.44|t|abbr=on}}
| suspension=4 x 4 wheel, [[leaf spring]]
| suspension = 4 x 4 wheel, [[leaf spring]]
| speed={{convert|75|km/h|abbr=on}}
| speed = {{convert|75|km/h|abbr=on}}
| vehicle_range=
| vehicle_range =
| primary_armament=.55 in [[Boys anti-tank rifle]]
| primary_armament = .55 in [[Boys anti-tank rifle]]
| secondary_armament=0.303 in (7.7&nbsp;mm) [[Bren light machine gun]]
| secondary_armament = 0.303 in (7.7&nbsp;mm) [[Bren light machine gun]]
| armour=up to 12&nbsp;mm
| armour = up to 12&nbsp;mm
| engine=GMC 6 cyl. [[gasoline engine|gasoline]]
| engine = GMC 6 cyl. [[gasoline engine|gasoline]]
| engine_power=106&nbsp;hp (79&nbsp;kW)
| engine_power = 106&nbsp;hp (79&nbsp;kW)
| pw_ratio=24.1&nbsp;hp/tonne
| pw_ratio = 24.1&nbsp;hp/tonne
| crew=3
| crew = 3
}}
}}


The '''Otter Light Reconnaissance Car''' (known officially by the British as '''Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian GM (R.A.C.)'''<ref>Drivers Instructions and Workshop Manual for Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian, G.M. Mark 1 and G.M. Mark 2 (R.A.C.)</ref> was a light [[Armored car (military)|armoured car]] produced by [[Canada]] during the [[World War II|Second World War]] for British and Commonwealth forces.
The '''Otter light reconnaissance car''', known officially by the British as "'''Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian GM (R.A.C.)'''",<ref>Drivers Instructions and Workshop Manual for Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian, G.M. Mark 1 and G.M. Mark 2 (R.A.C.)</ref> was a light [[Armored car (military)|armoured car]] produced in [[Canada]] during the [[World War II|Second World War]] for British and Commonwealth forces.


==History==
==History==
The Otter Light Reconnaissance Car (LRC) was developed by [[General Motors Canada]] to meet the demand for this type of armoured car. The design followed the layout of the British [[Humber Light Reconnaissance Car|Humber Mark III LRC]].
The Otter light reconnaissance car (LRC) was developed by [[General Motors Canada]] to meet the demand for this type of armoured car. The design followed the layout of the British [[Humber light reconnaissance car|Humber Mark III LRC]].


==Design==
==Design==
The Otter was based on the [[Chevrolet]] C15 [[Canadian Military Pattern truck]] chassis and used many standard GM components. It took a crew of three - driver and commander seated in the vehicle front, while the gunner occupied the turret position at the rear. A [[Wireless Set No. 19]] was mounted in the rear with A and B set aerials extending from the rear of the fighting compartment on mounting arms.
The Otter was based on the [[Chevrolet]] C15 [[Canadian Military Pattern truck]] chassis and used many standard GM components. It took a crew of three – driver and commander seated in the vehicle front, while the gunner occupied the turret position at the rear. A [[Wireless Set No. 19]] was mounted in the rear with A and B set aerials extending from the rear of the fighting compartment on mounting arms.


The primary armament consisted of a hull-mounted [[Rifle, Anti-Tank, .55 in, Boys|Boys anti-tank rifle]] and a [[Bren light machine gun]] in a small open-topped turret. A [[Smoke grenade discharger|smoke discharger]] is mounted alongside the mounting for the Boys anti-tank rifle.
The primary armament consisted of a hull-mounted [[Rifle, Anti-Tank, .55 in, Boys|Boys anti-tank rifle]] and a [[Bren light machine gun]] in a small open-topped turret. A [[Smoke grenade discharger|smoke discharger]] is mounted alongside the mounting for the Boy's anti-tank rifle.


Although it used a more powerful engine than the Humber, it was larger and heavier (by a ton); overall performance was less than that of the Humber, but still acceptable.
Although it used a more powerful engine than the Humber, it was larger and heavier (by a ton); overall performance was less than that of the Humber but still acceptable.


==Production==
==Production==
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==Usage==
==Usage==
The Otter served with Canadian units in the [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian Campaign]] and [[Western Front (World War II)|Northwest European operations]].
The Otter served with Canadian units in the [[Italian campaign (World War II)|Italian campaign]] and [[Western Front (World War II)|Northwest European operations]]. It was also employed by the [[South African Army]]<ref name=lesakeng>{{cite web |url=http://www.saarmourmuseum.co.za/lesakeng.html |title=Lesakeng |publisher=South African Armour Museum |date=2012-12-06 |access-date=2013-06-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703141331/http://www.saarmourmuseum.co.za/lesakeng.html |archive-date=2013-07-03 }}</ref> and the British [[RAF Regiment]]. Some RAF regiment vehicles used aircraft armament such as 20mm cannon and [[M1919 Browning machine gun|0.303 Browning machine gun]]s.
After the war, the Otter was used by the [[Jordanian Army]] during the [[1948 Arab–Israeli War|First Arab-Israeli War]] and [[Royal Netherlands Army|Dutch Army]] during the [[Indonesian National Revolution|Indonesian Revolution]]. The [[Syrian Army]] also operated the type after the war, with turretless Otter armed with 7.5 mm [[FM 24/29 light machine gun]] in pintle mounts or with 37 mm [[Puteaux SA 18]] in a turret taken from other British-built armoured car.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Zaloga |first=Steven |date=July 1995 |title=Strangers In a Strange Land: Early Syrian Armor 1948–56 |magazine=Museum Ordnance, Volume 5, Number 4 |location=Darlington, Maryland |publisher=Darlington Productions, Inc. |pages=4–5}}</ref>
It was also employed by the [[South African Army]]<ref name=lesakeng>{{cite web |url=http://www.saarmourmuseum.co.za/lesakeng.html |title=Lesakeng |publisher=South African Armour Museum |date=2012-12-06 |accessdate=2013-06-18 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703141331/http://www.saarmourmuseum.co.za/lesakeng.html |archivedate=2013-07-03 |df= }}</ref> and the British [[RAF Regiment]]. Some RAF regiment vehicles used aircraft armament such as 20mm cannon and [[M1919 Browning machine gun|0.303 Browning machine gun]]s.
After the war the Otter was used by the [[Jordan]]ian Army and [[Royal Netherlands Army|Dutch Army]] during the [[Indonesian National Revolution|Indonesian Revolution]].


==Variants==
==Variants==
* '''Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian, G.M. Mark 1(R.A.C.)''' with turret.<ref>Drivers Instructions and Workshop Manual for Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian, G.M. Mark 1 and G.M. Mark 2 (R.A.C.)</ref>
* '''Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian, G.M. Mark 1(R.A.C.)''' with a turret.<ref>Drivers Instructions and Workshop Manual for Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian, G.M. Mark 1 and G.M. Mark 2 (R.A.C.)</ref>
* '''Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian, G.M. Mark 2 (R.A.C.)''' without turret.<ref>Drivers Instructions and Workshop Manual for Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian, G.M. Mark 1 and G.M. Mark 2 (R.A.C.)</ref>
* '''Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian, G.M. Mark 2 (R.A.C.)''' without a turret.<ref>Drivers Instructions and Workshop Manual for Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian, G.M. Mark 1 and G.M. Mark 2 (R.A.C.)</ref>


==Surviving vehicles==
==Surviving vehicles==
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<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Kaukji-armored-car-1948.jpg|Otter armoured car captured by the [[Haganah]] from the [[Arab Liberation Army]] in 1948.
File:Kaukji-armored-car-1948.jpg|Otter armoured car captured by the [[Haganah]] from the [[Arab Liberation Army]] in 1948.
File:GMC Otter Light Reconnaissance Car (LRC), Bridgehead 2011 pic3.JPG|GMC Otter Light Reconnaissance Car, Bridgehead 2011
File:GMC Otter Light Reconnaissance Car (LRC), Bridgehead 2011 pic3.JPG|GMC Otter light reconnaissance car, Bridgehead 2011
File:GMC Otter Cavaleriemuseum Amersfoort 025.JPG|Otter at the [[Amersfoort]] Cavalry Museum
File:GMC Otter Cavaleriemuseum Amersfoort 025.JPG|Otter at the [[Amersfoort]] Cavalry Museum
File:RAF Regiment Otter at Prkos Airfield IWM CL 3485.jpg|[[RAF Regiment]] Otter at [[Prkos]] Airfield
File:RAF Regiment Otter at Prkos Airfield IWM CL 3485.jpg|[[RAF Regiment]] Otter at [[Prkos, Zadar County|Prkos]] Airfield
File: Otter mk1 Katakolo.jpg|Otter MK1 at Katakolo beach, Greece. This image was taken at the place that Otters landed at on 24 September 1944. The vehicle itself is part of the Hellenic Historical Vehicles Preservation Club collection in Greece. (www.sdio.gr)
File: Otter mk1 Katakolo.jpg|Otter MK1 at Katakolo beach, Greece. This image was taken at the place where Otters landed at on 24 September 1944. The vehicle itself is part of the Hellenic Historical Vehicles Preservation Club collection in Greece. (www.sdio.gr)
</gallery>
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[C15TA Armoured Truck]]
*[[C15TA armoured truck]]
*[[Canadian Military Pattern truck]]
*[[Canadian Military Pattern truck]]


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;Bibliography
;Bibliography
*White, BT AFV Profile No. 30 ''Armoured Cars - Marmon-Herrington, Alvis-Straussler, Light Reconnaissance (1971) Profile Publishing
*White, BT AFV Profile No. 30 ''Armoured Cars – Marmon-Herrington, Alvis-Straussler, Light Reconnaissance (1971) Profile Publishing
*Roger V.Lucy, ""The Otter Light Reconnaissance Car in Canadian Service", Service Publications,Ottawa, 2012
*Roger V.Lucy, ""The Otter Light Reconnaissance Car in Canadian Service", Service Publications,Ottawa, 2012


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[[Category:World War II armoured fighting vehicles of Canada]]
[[Category:World War II armoured fighting vehicles of Canada]]
[[Category:Reconnaissance vehicles of World War II]]
[[Category:Reconnaissance vehicles of World War II]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced from 1940 to 1944]]

Latest revision as of 16:11, 28 November 2024

Otter light reconnaissance car
An Otter crossing a Bailey bridge over the Volturno river at Grazzanise in October 1943
Specifications
Mass4.44 t (4.37 long tons; 4.89 short tons)
Length4.50 m (14 ft 9 in)
Width2.16 m (7 ft 1 in)
Height2.44 m (8 ft 0 in)
Crew3
Armourup to 12 mm
Main
armament
.55 in Boys anti-tank rifle
Secondary
armament
0.303 in (7.7 mm) Bren light machine gun
EngineGMC 6 cyl. gasoline
106 hp (79 kW)
Power/weight24.1 hp/tonne
Suspension4 x 4 wheel, leaf spring
Maximum speed 75 km/h (47 mph)

The Otter light reconnaissance car, known officially by the British as "Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian GM (R.A.C.)",[1] was a light armoured car produced in Canada during the Second World War for British and Commonwealth forces.

History

[edit]

The Otter light reconnaissance car (LRC) was developed by General Motors Canada to meet the demand for this type of armoured car. The design followed the layout of the British Humber Mark III LRC.

Design

[edit]

The Otter was based on the Chevrolet C15 Canadian Military Pattern truck chassis and used many standard GM components. It took a crew of three – driver and commander seated in the vehicle front, while the gunner occupied the turret position at the rear. A Wireless Set No. 19 was mounted in the rear with A and B set aerials extending from the rear of the fighting compartment on mounting arms.

The primary armament consisted of a hull-mounted Boys anti-tank rifle and a Bren light machine gun in a small open-topped turret. A smoke discharger is mounted alongside the mounting for the Boy's anti-tank rifle.

Although it used a more powerful engine than the Humber, it was larger and heavier (by a ton); overall performance was less than that of the Humber but still acceptable.

Production

[edit]

Between 1942 and 1945, 1761 units were produced in Oshawa, Ontario, though fewer than 1,000 were delivered overseas.[2]

Usage

[edit]

The Otter served with Canadian units in the Italian campaign and Northwest European operations. It was also employed by the South African Army[3] and the British RAF Regiment. Some RAF regiment vehicles used aircraft armament such as 20mm cannon and 0.303 Browning machine guns. After the war, the Otter was used by the Jordanian Army during the First Arab-Israeli War and Dutch Army during the Indonesian Revolution. The Syrian Army also operated the type after the war, with turretless Otter armed with 7.5 mm FM 24/29 light machine gun in pintle mounts or with 37 mm Puteaux SA 18 in a turret taken from other British-built armoured car.[4]

Variants

[edit]
  • Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian, G.M. Mark 1(R.A.C.) with a turret.[5]
  • Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian, G.M. Mark 2 (R.A.C.) without a turret.[6]

Surviving vehicles

[edit]
  • The Karl Smith Collection in Tooele, Utah.
  • The RAF Regiment Museum, Honington.
  • Hellenic Historical Vehicles Preservation Club, Greece,[7]
  • Fort Nieuw Amsterdam Open Air Museum, Surinam.
[edit]
  • Otter armoured car captured by the Haganah from the Arab Liberation Army in 1948.
    Otter armoured car captured by the Haganah from the Arab Liberation Army in 1948.
  • GMC Otter light reconnaissance car, Bridgehead 2011
    GMC Otter light reconnaissance car, Bridgehead 2011
  • Otter at the Amersfoort Cavalry Museum
    Otter at the Amersfoort Cavalry Museum
  • RAF Regiment Otter at Prkos Airfield
    RAF Regiment Otter at Prkos Airfield
  • Otter MK1 at Katakolo beach, Greece. This image was taken at the place where Otters landed at on 24 September 1944. The vehicle itself is part of the Hellenic Historical Vehicles Preservation Club collection in Greece. (www.sdio.gr)
    Otter MK1 at Katakolo beach, Greece. This image was taken at the place where Otters landed at on 24 September 1944. The vehicle itself is part of the Hellenic Historical Vehicles Preservation Club collection in Greece. (www.sdio.gr)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Notes
  1. ^ Drivers Instructions and Workshop Manual for Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian, G.M. Mark 1 and G.M. Mark 2 (R.A.C.)
  2. ^ canadiansoldiers.com article
  3. ^ "Lesakeng". South African Armour Museum. 2012-12-06. Archived from the original on 2013-07-03. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
  4. ^ Zaloga, Steven (July 1995). "Strangers In a Strange Land: Early Syrian Armor 1948–56". Museum Ordnance, Volume 5, Number 4. Darlington, Maryland: Darlington Productions, Inc. pp. 4–5.
  5. ^ Drivers Instructions and Workshop Manual for Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian, G.M. Mark 1 and G.M. Mark 2 (R.A.C.)
  6. ^ Drivers Instructions and Workshop Manual for Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian, G.M. Mark 1 and G.M. Mark 2 (R.A.C.)
  7. ^ "ΣΔΙΟ". www.sdio.gr. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
Bibliography
  • White, BT AFV Profile No. 30 Armoured Cars – Marmon-Herrington, Alvis-Straussler, Light Reconnaissance (1971) Profile Publishing
  • Roger V.Lucy, ""The Otter Light Reconnaissance Car in Canadian Service", Service Publications,Ottawa, 2012
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Otter Light Reconnaissance Car.
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