Hobby Master Archive

When WWII broke out the British War Office contracted Bedford to produce a 3 ton 4X4 general service truck. In February 1940 the prototype of the QL series was ready with full production beginning in March 1940 at their Vauxhall factory in Luton. As the war progressed there was a need for various types of 3 ton trucks. Bedford devised trucks for troop carrying, fire tenders, communications, tankers, Bofors gun tractor and several others applications. Between 1940 and 1945 there were approximately 52,250 QL trucks produced.

Formed in February 1942 in Scotland the Polish 1st Armoured Division was under the command of General Stanislaw Maczek. On August 1st 1944 the last segment of the Polish 1st landed in Normandy. Despite being mistakenly bombed by a US air raid and put under heavy artillery fire by the Allies the Polish forces achieved several major victories. The Polish 1st Armoured Regiment and the 10th Mounted Rifle Regiment (10. Pulk Strzelcow Konnych, 10.PSK) helped to close the Falaise Gap and for 2 days while short of ammunition they stood their ground against several fleeing panzer divisions. In the autumn of 1944 these units fought their way along the Scheldt in Belgium and the Netherlands. At wars end the 10th MRR spent time in northwest Germany acting as an occupying force until June 1947 when the 1st Armoured Division was sent back to England and was disbanded.

Specifications Bedford QLD Type - 3 ton GS (general service) cargo lorry (truck)

Origin -United Kingdom Operators - RAF and British Army WWII Crew - 1 + 11 passengers Dimensions Length - 5.99 m (19 ft 8 in) Width - 2.26 m (7 ft 5in) Height - 2.54 m (10 ft)

Performance Engine - Bedford 6-cylinder, liquid cooled, displacement of 3,519 cc (214.7 cu in) producing 72 hp (54kW) Transmission - 4-speed gearbox Fuel - 127 liter (28 gallons) / petrol (gasoline) Range - 250 km (156 miles)

Weight Empty - 3,277 kg (7,225 lb) Maximum load - 6,985 kg (15,400 lb)

QL variants QLB - 40 mm Bofors Tractor QLD - General Service, Mobile Canteen, Mobile Kitchen, Observation Tower, Dump Truck QLC - Fuel Truck, Mobile Switchboard, Studio QLR - Radio Vehicle QLT - TCV / Troop Carrying Vehicle QLW - Winch Dump Truck Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG4803 UK Bedford QLD 10th Mounted Rifle Regiment Polish 1st Armoured Division

True 1/72 scale.

Professionally painted.

Weathered finish.

Great attention to detail.

All markings are Tampoed (pad applied).

Rubber wheels roll.

Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic.

Highly collectable.