P02664.001 Accession Number: P02664.001

Description

Vehicles of the 1st Australian Armoured Car Section at a training camp. The section comprised two armoured cars, a tender and a motorcycle combination mounting a Colt machine gun. The two armoured cars are a Mercedes and a British Daimler which were fitted with their armoured bodies by the Vulcan Engineering Works in South Melbourne. The Mercedes, (centre) believed to be chain-driven, was fitted with a narrow, bevel-edged turret while the Daimler, the car on the right, had a large shield attached to the gun mounting instead. Colt machine guns were attached for use in both cars. The machine guns were designed by John Browning, dating back to 1895 and they were known as "potato diggers" on account of the curious action of the recocking arm. The tender, the third car, is a Minerva. All cars were originally supplied by a group of Victorian motor enthusiasts. The cars proved unreliable in the desert conditions and were returned to Australia in 1917. The motorcycle appears to be a Vee twin JAP powered bike, with 3 speed rear hub gear which would indicate that it was not built for military use as hub gears required high maintenance. It also has an unusual feature with a rear mounted magneto.

Details

Conflicts

• First World War, 1914-1918