This second Eldon vehicle included with the No. 902 Cargo Plane, was an odd choice for inclusion into a U.S. military set. It closely resembles the T-17 Staghound Armored Car which, although designed and built in the United States, was never used by U.S. forces! It was however widely used by British and Commonwealth forces. The toy measures: hull 3" (7.62cm) L x 1.5" (3.81cm) W x 1.5" (3.81cm) H. Enjoy! Opa Fritz
Hello Ed,
ReplyDeleteGood to see the Eldon armoured car being featured. You mention a resemblance to the U.S. "Staghound" supplied to the British, but interestingly there is also a strong resemblance to another British armoured car - the Daimler Mark II or Mark IV. For example, while the turret side view looks similar to the Staghound it is formed from flat panels like the Daimler. The driver's cab profile looks more like that of the Daimler, though the moulded shape on the front could suggest the double crew visors of the Staghound. (Oddly the long gun barrel resembles neither, and the wheels are modelled as though spoked - just like those of Eldon's jeep!). However the angular looking mudguards/fenders closely match those of the Daimler, whereas the Staghound's were curved. These also carry Daimler-style stowage boxes. Overall it seems to be a bit of a hybrid, but then it was just intended as a toy after all.
Best wishes,
Robert
Sorry Ed - I meant to say the Humber Mark II or IV armoured car, not the Daimler!
ReplyDeleteRobert