British Forces

Guarding the Home Guard home ...

Standard Motor Club

Beaverette Mark 1 light armoured car/reconnaissance car, produced in substantial numbers in the period following the evacuation (without its heavy equipment) of the BEF from France, 1940. These were built by the Standard Motor Company Ltd. Coventry, using the chassis of the Standard 14 saloon car (there just happened to be a lot of S-14 bits in stock at the time !). Beaverettes were used mainly in airfield protection and by the Home Guard; some, however, seem to have been used, at least for a short time, by the regular British Army. Although there were improvements in the range, through to the Mark IV, complaints from users included inadequate protection, poor handling and very, very poor visibility (at least, unless you were in a position to stand up and peer over the top of the superstructure, which was open in the Mk I and Mk II). Probably just as well that Captain Mainwaring and Corporal Jones never had to confront Rommel in one of these ... Best regards, JR