Daimler »Dingo« Scout Car

Daimler »Dingo« Mk.II Scout Car.

The Daimler Scout Car, popularly known as the Dingo, was one of the finest armoured fighting vehicles built in Britain during World War Two. It was small, fast, and well protected with 30 mm of frontal armour and solid rubber “run-flat” tires. The Dingo had a pre-selector gearbox, self-changing transmission with fluid flywheel, which provided five forward and five reverse gears. The innovative four-wheel steering of the early Daimler Scout Car Mk.I was discontinued in the Mk.II, because inexperienced drivers found the vehicle too difficult to control. The Dingo had a two-man crew, and it was armed with a Bren light machine gun or Boys anti-tank rifle. The passenger seat swivelled to allow the vehicle commander to fire the LMG or use the № 19 radio set installed in the rear of the fighting compartment. The Dingo had a flat chassis plate which protected its underside from rough ground, but which also made the vehicle very vulnerable to mines.

The Daimler Dingo Scout Car was first deployed with the British Expeditionary Force during the Battle of France, and it proved so successful that it remained in service until 1952, when the Daimler Ferret replaced it. Captured Daimler Dingo scout cars were well liked, and readily employed by German army units; they were designated Panzerspähwagen Mk.I 202 (e) or Mk.II 202 (e) in the Wehrmacht.

The Ford Motor Company of Canada manufactured 3255 similar Ford Lynx Scout Cars for Canadian and Commenwealth forces. And, from 1943 to 1945, Italian automobile manufacturer Lancia produced copies of the Dingo, named Autoblindo Lince, for the army of the Italian Social Republic. Many of these vehicles were confiscated by the Wehrmacht, and designated Panzerspähwagen Lince Mk.I 202 (i) in German service. Daimler Dingo Scout Cars served in the Portuguese Army, and the Cyprus National Guard from 1964 to 1974.

Available Scale Model Kits

  • Daimler Dingo Mk.II (2nd New Zealand Cavalry Regiment), 1:32 King & Country EA10
  • Daimler Dingo Mk.IA (folding roof), 1:35 Maquette 3555
  • Daimler Dingo Mk.II, 1:35 Tamiya 35018
    • Daimler Mk.II Detail, 1:35 Eduard 35143
  • Daimler Dingo Mk.II Scout Car, 1:48 Gaso.Line
  • Daimler Dingo Mk.II Scout Car, 1:56 Bolt Action Miniatures 343
  • Lancia Lince Scout Car, 1:56 Bolt Action Miniatures 357
  • Daimler Dingo Mk.II Scout Car, 1:76 Matchbox 40175
  • Daimler Dingo Mk.II Scout Car with Crew, 20 mm Raventhorpe
  • Daimler Dingo Mk.III (no roof), 15 mm Battlefront Miniatures BR310
  • Daimler Dingo Scout Car, 1:285 GHQ UK50
  • Daimler Dingo Scout Car, 1:300 Heroics & Ros B024

Technical Specifications

  • Daimler »Dingo« Scout Car
  • Type: Armoured Car
  • Engine: Daimler 18 HP, 2.5 litres 6-cylinder petrol engine with 55 hp (41 kW)
  • Suspension: wheeled 4×4
  • Speed: 80 km/h on roads
  • Cruising Range: 320 km
  • Length: 6350 mm
  • Width: 2908 mm
  • Height: 2833 mm
  • Wheelbase: 1982 mm
  • Weight: 3 t
  • Armour: up to 30 mm
  • Armament: .303 Bren LMG or .55 Boys anti-tank rifle
  • Crew: Commander, Driver
  • Production: 1939–1945 (6626 units)

Historical Employment

  • British Expeditionary Force, France 1940
    • 1st Armoured Division
    • 4th Northumberland Fusiliers
  • Panzerspähwagen Mk.I 202 (e), Wehrmacht 1940–1945
  • British and Commonwealth (Army) Tank Brigade, 1943
    • Squadron HQ, 1 Dingo
    • Regimental HQ, 1 Dingo
    • Brigade HQ, 3 Dingos
  • British and Commonwealth Armoured Regiment, 1943
    • Intercommunication Troop of HQ Squadron, 9 to 12 Dingos
  • Panzerspähwagen Mk.II 202 (e), Wehrmacht 1942–1945
  • Lancia Lince copy of the Dingo Mk.I, Italian Social Republic 1943
    • Panzerspähwagen Lince Mk.I 202 (i), Wehrmacht 1943–1945
  • British Army, 1946–1952
  • Cyprus National Guard, 1964–1974
  • Portuguese Army

The Daimler »Dingo« Scout Car is a very unique looking vehicle, which will make a nice addition to any collection of armoured fighting vehicles. Wargamers will find the Dingo very useful as a standard scout car used by many Axis and Allied units throughout World War Two.

British Miniatures of World War Two