World War II witnessed a plethora of innovative and often peculiar military vehicles designed to navigate the challenges of warfare. From unconventional designs to experimental prototypes, here’s a list of the top 10 strange military vehicles that left their mark during the Second World War.
The 10 Strange Military Vehicles of World War II
1. Rhino Heavy Armoured Car
Origin: Australia
The Rhino was an Australian-designed armoured car that never advanced beyond the prototype stage due to design flaws and enemy action. Equipped with a welded turret providing 30 mm all-round protection and armed with a QF 2 pounder Mk IX gun and a coaxial .303-inch Vickers machine gun, the Rhino showcased Australia’s contribution to military vehicle innovation during WWII.
See also: Top 10 Weird Military Cars of World War I.
2. Fox Armoured Car
Origin: Canada
Built on a CMP chassis by General Motors Canada, the Fox Armoured Car utilized the hull of the British Humber Armoured Car. Crewed by a four-person crew and armed with 0.303 and 0.50-inch machine guns, over 1500 Fox Armoured Cars were manufactured during the war.
See also: 10 Most Powerful Machines of World War II
3. Humber LRC Mk IIIA
Origin: United Kingdom
Also known as the Humberette or Ironside, the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car was a British armoured car produced during WWII. Based on the Humber Super Snipe chassis, it boasted a No. 19 radio set and saw production of over 3600 units from 1940 to 1943.
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4. Canadian GM Mark I (Otter Light Reconnaissance Car)
Origin: Canada
Nicknamed the Otter, this light armoured car was produced for British and Commonwealth forces during WWII. With a hull-mounted Boys anti-tank rifle and a Bren light machine gun in a small turret, the Otter utilized components from the Chevrolet C15 Canadian Military Pattern truck chassis.
5. BA-64
Origin: Soviet Union
Employed by the Soviet Army for reconnaissance and liaison tasks, the BA-64 was a 4×4 light armoured car that remained in service until the early 1960s. Produced in large numbers, it played a significant role on the Eastern Front during WWII.
See also: Top 10 Tanks of World War Two
6. Standard Beaverette
Origin: United Kingdom
Also known as the Standard Car 4×2, the Beaverette was a British armoured car utilized during WWII. Though not as widely known as some other models, it contributed to reconnaissance and security operations during the conflict.
7. S1 Scout Car
Origin: Australia
Produced in Australia for the US Army, the S1 Scout Car was based on the Ford F15 4×2 chassis. Armed with a .50 inch heavy machine gun and two .30 inch machine guns, it served as a versatile reconnaissance vehicle during WWII.
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8. C15TA Armoured Truck
Origin: Canada
Developed from the Otter Light Reconnaissance Car, the C15TA Armoured Truck served as an armoured load carrier for Canadian forces during WWII. With a design reminiscent of the American M3 Scout Car, it proved effective in transportation and logistical support roles.
9. 39M Csaba
Origin: Hungary
Produced for the Royal Hungarian Army, the 39M Csaba was an armoured scout car equipped with a centrally mounted turret housing a 20 mm cannon and an 8 mm machine gun. Its unique design featured two driving positions and detachable weaponry for versatile reconnaissance capabilities.
See also: The 10 Most Powerful Militaries in the World
10. T27 Armored Car
Origin: United States
Developed by the Studebaker Corporation for the US Army, the T27 Armored Car was an experimental prototype featuring eight wheels, with the first, second, and fourth pairs being powered. Armed with two .30 caliber machine guns and a 37 mm cannon, it represented an innovative approach to armoured vehicle design during WWII.
From the rugged terrains of Europe to the vast expanses of the Eastern Front, these strange military vehicles of World War II demonstrate the ingenuity and diversity of engineering efforts during one of the most tumultuous periods in human history.