British WWII Tractor, 4x4 FAT (C8 Mk.II early)

Plastic kit of a British WWII Tractor, 4x4 Field Artillery (C8 Mk. II early)

• 1:35 scale
• Highly detailed chassis and engine replica
• extensive interior fittings
• separate doors, storage compartment flaps, hood
• Photo-etched parts and decals included
• 1 driver figure
• Personal equipment such as helmets, bags, blankets etc. included
• 3 marking options
  • H4310981: A Troop, 267 (Worcester) Battery, 119 Field Rgt. (TA), Royal Artillery, 61st Infantry Division, Northern Ireland, November 1941
  • H4108417: A Troop, No. 386 (Duke of Connaught's Own Yeomanry) Battery, 143rd (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, Alabaster Force, Alafoss, Iceland May 1941
  • H4163512: D Troop, 374 (West Somerset Yeomanry) Battery, 55th (Wessex) Field Rgt., Royal Artillery, Guards Armored Division, Vire, France, August 1944
• Truck only, limbers and field cannon not included
• unbuilt, unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

The Morris C8 Quad was one of the British Army's most important artillery tractors in World War II. The vehicle was developed as a Field Artillery Tractor (FAT) in order to move the standardized British field artillery - in particular the Ordnance QF 25-pounder - including the ammunition trailer and gun controls quickly and off-road. Production began in 1939 and ran until 1945. A total of around 10,000 vehicles from the Mk. I to Mk. III series were built. The Morris C8 proved itself in almost all theaters of war for the British and Commonwealth forces - from France in 1940 via North Africa and Italy to northwestern Europe.

The Morris C8 was powered by a water-cooled 3.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with around 70 hp. The permanent four-wheel drive of the early vehicles gave the quad excellent off-road properties, allowing even heavy guns to be towed over soft ground, sand or mud. In addition to the driver, there was space for up to five other soldiers in the vehicle. Personal equipment, tools and ammunition were also transported in the rear crew compartment. What was characteristic was the driver's cab, which was set unusually far forward, with the short hood and the strongly rounded rear structure, which earned the vehicle the nickname "Beetle Back".

The early version of the Mk. II, which was manufactured from 1940 onwards, differed only slightly from the Mk. I in terms of technology. The most important change affected the front axle: the previously existing limited-slip differential was omitted, otherwise the permanent all-wheel drive was retained. Externally, the early Mk. II vehicles had the original “Beetle-Back” design with a completely closed metal roof, two round roof vents and only a few small side windows. The two large doors still had no windows. This early design conveys the typical impression of the first years of the war and can be seen particularly frequently in photos from the French campaign and the early operations in North Africa.

During the course of Mk. II production, a late variant appeared, taking into account numerous experiences from front-line use. The most noticeable difference was the modernized “Beetle-Back” structure. Above the crew room, a tarpaulin roof on a cross-shaped steel frame replaced the previous steel roof. In addition, the doors were given windows, and another small side window was added on the left front, which significantly improved the visibility for the driver and front passenger. At the same time, larger fuel tanks with larger filler necks were installed, which increased the operational range. Mechanically, however, the vehicle remained a Mk. II with permanent all-wheel drive and a simplified front axle compared to the Mk. I.

It was not until the Mk. III that fundamental technical changes were made. The front axle was now moved under the leaf springs, the permanent all-wheel drive gave way to a switchable system, and smaller 16-inch wheels were used instead of the previous 20-inch tires. Late Mk. III vehicles finally received a completely redesigned, more angular body (“No. 5 Body”) with four doors and a significantly more spacious crew compartment. These changes improved ease of maintenance, economy and driving characteristics, while the basic task as an artillery tractor remained unchanged.

For modelers, the distinction between early and late Mk. II is particularly important. The early version has the completely closed metal roof with two round roof vents, a few small side windows and windowless doors. The late version, on the other hand, can be recognized by the glazed doors, the additional small side window, the tarpaulin roof over the crew compartment and the larger tank filler neck. These details are distinctive identifying features and should be taken into account when making a historical depiction or building a scale model.