Bedford QLC Portee with 6 pound anti-tank gun.

Bedford QL series Trucks

The most widely used, British made 4x4 truck  during World War 2 was the Bedford QL , with a total of 52,247 delivered between 1941 and 1945. Many continued in service with British forces well into the 1950's. The 'signal wagon' Bedford QLR saw service until the early 1970s. It was powered by a 3.5 litre, six cylinder petrol engine driving a four speed gearbox. Four wheel drive was engaged via a two-speed transfer box. Gross weigh in standard form was 6 tons 17 cwt with a  payload of around 3tons. The main variants were as follows:-

Bedford QLB  -  This model had a special body designed to house a crew of eight men plus driver and was intended as a tractor for the 40mm Bofors anti aircraft gun.

Bedford QLC  -  This model had a 1 ton cargo body immediately behind the cab and a permanently attached 6 ton semi-trailer.

Bedford QLD  -  Was an standard open-bodied (with a tarpaulin cover) 3-ton cargo truck. Special versions were produced as workshops, kitchens, offices and battery storage trucks.

Bedford QLR  -  This model was a wireless truck and had a 'house' type body with a canvas side extension.

Bedford QLT  -  This was the troop carrier version with extended body for an intended load or 29 men and their equipment. 3,373 Bedford QLTs were made  before the war ended.

Bedford QLW  -  This winch equipped model had a 3 cubic yard Edbro tipper body. About 1000 Bedford QLWs were produced  of which the last 600 were designed to be air-portable, the Bedford QLW, APT version.

These are the 'official' variants but there were numerous other vehicles built using the Bedford QL chassis. One main variant was the only soft-top cab version of the Bedford QL  was produced to meet the needs of the campaign then being fought in North Africa. This desert version was a modified QLC intended to carry a 6 pound anti-tank  gun. The 'Portee' was designed to carry the gun in such a position as to permit firing over the cab. On the successful conclusion of the North African campaign most were fitted with G5  bodies.