Bedford QL facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bedford QL |
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A QLR on show
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| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| Used by | British Armed Forces |
| Wars | Second World War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Bedford (General Motors) |
| Produced | 1941-1945 |
| No. built | 52,247 |
| Variants | QL1, QLB, QLC, QLD, QLR, QLT & QLW |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 7,225 lb (3,277 kg) (empty) 15,400 lb (6,985 kg) (loaded) |
| Length | 5.99 m (19 ft 8 in) |
| Width | 2.26 m (7 ft 5 in) |
| Height | 10 feet / 2.54m |
| Crew | 1 + 11 passengers |
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| Armour | none |
| Engine | Bedford, 6-cyl 3,519 cc (214.7 cu in) petrol 72 hp (54 kW) |
| Payload capacity | 3 tons |
| Suspension | Wheel, 4x4 |
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Operational
range |
156 mi (250 km) |
The Bedford QL was a special series of trucks. They were made by a company called Bedford in the United Kingdom. These trucks were very important for the British Armed Forces during the Second World War.
Contents
A Truck for War
When World War II began, the British army needed a strong, reliable truck. They asked Bedford to build a special 3-ton truck with 4×4 (four-wheel drive). This meant it could go almost anywhere!
The first test model was ready in February 1940. Full production started in March 1941. The Bedford QL trucks were made from 1941 to 1945. This was the first time Bedford built vehicles specifically for the military.
Different Jobs, Different Trucks
The Bedford QL wasn't just one type of truck. It was a series of different versions, or "variants." Each variant was designed for a specific job during the war.
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QL1: The First One
The QL1 was the very first model, a prototype. It was used for testing before mass production began.
QLB: The Gun Puller
The QLB was designed to pull heavy guns, like the Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60. About 5,500 QLBs were built during the war. Some were even changed into recovery trucks (wreckers) after the war.
QLC: For Special Tasks
The QLC variant was used for several different roles. It could be a fire engine, a signals vehicle (for communications), or even a petrol tanker.
QLD: The Workhorse
The QLD was the most common type of Bedford QL truck. It was a general service cargo truck. This means it carried supplies, equipment, and anything else the army needed. Some QLDs were also turned into mobile workshops or kitchens.
QLR: The Communications Hub
The QLR was a special signals vehicle. It was like a mobile office or radio station. These trucks had special electrical gear and extra fuel tanks. They even had a tent that could be set up at the back for more space.
QLT: Carrying Troops
The QLT was a troop carrier. It was designed to move soldiers quickly from one place to another. Over 3,300 QLTs were made between August 1941 and the end of the war.
QLW: The Tipper Truck
The QLW was an air-portable tipper truck. This means it could be carried by aircraft and had a bed that could tilt to dump its load.
Experimental Designs
Bedford also experimented with other ideas. One was the "Bedford-Bren," a half-track truck. It had tracks at the back like a tank and wheels at the front. Another idea was the "Bedford Giraffe," which had its engine and cab raised very high. This was to help it drive through deep water. However, these experimental designs were not mass-produced.
