Vickers equiped Jeeps in NWE

I have a 1/6 scale SAS NWEJeep kit to build, fitted with two twin Vickers and Halfmoon armoured glass Screens and single for the Driver. Provision for a Bren by the Driver.

My question is was this model also used by the Airborne, especially the Airborne Reconnaissance Units.

The Picture below is shown on the Internet many times and judging by the darkness of the Berets worn, they are not the sandy Brown SAS colour and possible that they are Maroon red.

Can any of our resident experts confirm their use by the Airborne as I would like to make the model using three Airborne
Model soldiers that I have at Hand.



Regards
Tom

 

Many SAS wore the Red Beret of Airborne Forces during the invasion of NW Europe, the beige/sand beret was worn by the 'old sweats' who had served in North Africa and Italy in the main. The Armed jeeps were also used at Arnhem and the Rhine Crossing by the Airborne Division, however these might have had a slightly modified equipment fit as did those used by Popski's Private Army in Italy.

SAS in Africa originally wore a white beret which cannot have been very practical and I understand caused a few bar-fights in Cairo!

 

I have read that some SAS units wore black RAC berets as a "disguise" in case they were captured and shot, some individuals wore nothing at all.

 

Thanks for the Information and it Looks like I can use a Little artistic licence with the occupants when I build the model.

Regards
Tom

 

Hi all,

I'm wondering how they "used" the darker / blacker machine gun apparently at the front - that is on the bonnet of the jeep? (or is it just mounted in some way off to one side? i.e. is it actually part of the jeep? or just a fixture in the background that the jeep happens to be parked next to? I can't seem to see what it is doing there???

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/57200-vickers-equiped-jeeps-in-nwe/?p=665592

Also, it doesn't really look "very practical" or a comfortable set up to use? What if you have to suddenly brake - is there a film known by anyone anywhere showing how this particular jeep set up was actually used? Were the guns stowed in some way (out of the way?) whilst the jeep was being driven about?

Intriguing. Still JEEP (Just Enough Engine to Perform and pretty spartan at that)

Also is that a water tank (or a fuel tank?) behind the guy on the right??? That's either a lot of water, or a terrific fire hazard. Brave chaps those SAS :ph34r:

All the best,

Rm

 

Rm,

The tanks are Long Range Petrol Tanks, two tanks on both sides at the rear, in Addition to the normal tank and any Jerry Cans carried as well.

The model I have to build has two Twin Vickers, front and rear and a Fitting for a Bren Gun for the Driver, similar to the single Vickers shown in the photograph. I have a spare Bren, so not a Problem Fitting it.

Regards
Tom

 

Thanks Tom,

"The tanks are Long Range Petrol Tanks, two tanks on both sides at the rear, in Addition to the normal tank and any Jerry Cans carried as well."

- something of a "real" hot seat potentially there I just wonder how often the driver "kept them full" ???? Good place to store beer though (potentially!) if you ever wanted to take a picnic in one.

Can't quite imagine it easily passing a modern MOT or getting MOD approval in these days of "health and safety gone mad"

:m8:
Good to warn off "bad" drivers though - I doubt the "owner" of this would have to put up with much "modern" road rage.

I guess you could transport fuel quite easily in one of those though and that might be handy to siphon out of at a push?

Or you could just drive it straight from the beaches of Normandy to Germany without ever having to stop to refuel, something that the "thirsty" tank crews unfortunately couldn't do....

All the best,

Rm.

 

The single Vickers is mounted on a post on the drivers side not on the bonnet. This is just one of a number of arrangements, some have fixed Vickers one on each side firing forwards, others had Brens or .3 or .5 Brownings. It was often down to personal choice.

Cheers

Kevin

 

Here are three more images showing weapons configuartions

 

Steven,

Thanks for the extra photographs.

A case of Personal choice if allowed.

The only drawback with mixed weaponry is the Problem of carrying different ammunition loads!

.50 calibre was good for packing a Punch, but for shear firepower the Twin "K" took some beating, especially with two on board.

Regards
Tom