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.

The QLT was Bedford’s troop transport variant of their highly successful 3-ton 4X4 lorry. The T had the same wheelbase as the D variant but the T chassis was extended at the rear by 3 feet 5 inches. The first panels on each side at the front were doors that opened inward and each one had a folding seat attached inside. The rear had two doors that swung outward and the right one had an exterior attachment to carry a bicycle. There were padded bench seats down each side and they could be folded flush with the sides. There was a single bench seat down the middle of the floor. These seat backs alternated facing left then right and this bench could be removed for more space. There was a white line painted on the inside of both side walls that read “Load Forward of Line”. This was needed in case the lorry was being used to transport heavy loads of cargo. With the chassis being extended 3 feet 5 inches heavy loads placed beyond this line towards the rear could lift the front wheels off the ground or just make the front end light and impossible to steer. This seating arrangement made it possible to accommodate up to 29 soldiers plus a driver and one other person in the cab. The troop compartment had a canvas cover that could be rolled up on the sides. There were over 2,500 QLT’s manufactured. The QLT was commonly called the “Drooper”

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 is 3 feet 5 inches longer than the QLD QLW - Winch Dump Truck Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG4804 UK Bedford QLT British Army Northern Europe 1944 to 1945

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.