Leyland Hippo Mk II facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Leyland Hippo Mk II
Leyland Hippo Mk II, 1944
Type	Heavy cargo truck
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
In service	1944-1950s
Used by	British Army & Royal Air Force
Wars	World War II
Production history
Designer	Leyland Motors
Designed	1943
Manufacturer	Leyland Motors
No. built	≈ 1,000
Variants	Mk II & Mk IIA
Specifications
Mass	8.3 long tons (8.4 t)
Length	27 ft 3 in (8.31 m)
Width	8 ft 1 in (2.46 m)
Height	10 ft 11 in (3.33 m)
Crew	2
Engine	Six-cylinder inline Leyland L6 diesel 100 bhp (75 kW) at 1,800rpm
Payload capacity	11.4 long tons (11.6 t)
Drive	6x4
Transmission	5F1Rx2
Suspension	Live axles on semi-elliptical multi leaf springs
Maximum speed	30 mph (48 km/h)
References	Chris Bishop & Pat Ware

The Leyland Hippo Mk II was a very strong and large cargo truck. It was used by the British Army and the Royal Air Force during World War II. These trucks were important for moving supplies and equipment during the war and for several years after it ended.

History of the Leyland Hippo Trucks

Early Hippo Trucks: Mk I

Before the Hippo Mk II, there was the Leyland Hippo Mk I. Between 1939 and 1940, the British military received 330 of these trucks. The Mk I was a military version of a regular Leyland Hippo truck that was sold before the war. It had an open cab and a special body for military use.

Developing the Hippo Mk II for War

The Leyland Hippo Mk II was a completely new design. It was created in 1943 because military planners realized they needed bigger trucks. They found that trucks that could carry 10 long tons (10 t) (about 10,000 kg) of cargo were much better for moving supplies. This was especially true for big operations like D-Day, the famous invasion of Normandy.

Production of the Hippo Mk II started in late 1944. The trucks arrived too late to be used right after D-Day. However, by VE Day (Victory in Europe Day), about 1,000 of these powerful trucks were in service. They continued to be used by the British Army and Royal Air Force into the 1950s.

Design and Features of the Hippo Mk II

Engine and Drivetrain

The Leyland Hippo Mk II was a wheeled 6x4 truck. This means it had six wheels, and four of them were powered to help the truck move. It had a strong Leyland six-cylinder inline diesel engine that produced 100 bhp (75 kW) of power. This engine was connected to a five-speed main gearbox and an extra two-speed gearbox.

Cab and Driver's Area

The Hippo Mk II had a new, enclosed steel cab for two people. This cab had windows that could be pulled down. The top part of the cab could even be removed. This was a clever design feature that made the truck shorter for shipping. It helped when moving the trucks by train or ship.

Tires and Spares

The original Mk II trucks had single tires at the back. Later, the Mk IIA version was made. This version had narrower dual wheels at the rear. Because of this difference, the Mk IIA had to carry two spare tires. One was for the front wheels, and the other was for the different rear wheels.

Cargo Body and Special Uses

The standard cargo body of the Hippo Mk II was made with a steel frame and timber. It was designed as a "well type," meaning it had wheel arches built into the cargo area. This design helped to lower the loading height, which was important because most loading and unloading was done by hand.

Steel hoops and a canvas cover could be added over the cargo area. This protected the load from bad weather. It also helped hide what the truck was carrying from enemy eyes.

Some Hippo Mk II trucks were fitted with large van bodies. Others had special "expanding bodies." The sides of these expanding bodies could split horizontally. The top half would move up to create more roof space, and the bottom half would move down to create more floor space. Several of these trucks could be linked together to form a large workshop area. After the war, some Hippo Mk IIs were even converted into 2,000 imp gal (9,100 L) fuel refuellers for aircraft.