The first version of the vehicle was built in 1940 by Standard
Motor Company at the instigation of Lord Beaverbrook, then Minister
of Aircraft Production (hence the name Beaverette). It was based on
commercial car chassis, on which a simple riveted armoured hull was
mounted. The 11mm of steel was backed by 3 inch thick oak planks.
The hull was open at the top and at the rear. The armament
consisted of Bren light machine gun which could be fired through a
slot in the glacis armour. Subsequent versions received all-around
protection and a machine gun turret - an enclosed one with Bren MG
or an open-topped one with twin Vickers machine guns. Some vehicles
also carried Boys anti-tank rifles. Some had No. 11 or No. 19 radio
set. The production was stopped in 1942. About 2,800 units were
delivered.
The Beaverette was used by the British Army and Royal Air Force
for home defence service and training. The vehicle is said to
suffer from excessive weight and to be hard to handle.
Variants
Mk I - original version.
Mk II - had all-around armour and the
radiator grill was moved from a vertical position to a horizontal
one.
Mk III Beaverbug - had shortened chassis,
redesigned hull without curved front wings, with top armour and a
machine gun turret.
Mk IV - glacis armour was redesigned to
improve visibility.
A similar vehicle, known as Beaverette (NZ),
was produced in New Zealand Railways workshops, Hutt Valley. The
car used a Ford 3/4 or 1-ton truck chassis and plate salvaged from
the ships Port Bowen and Mokoia for armour. They had a crew of 4
and 208 units were built.
