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 Commonwealth 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 Cav. Reg.), 1:32 King & Country EA10
  • Daimler “Dingo” Mk I, 1:35 Maquette 3555
  • Daimler “Dingo” Mk Ia, 1:35 MiniArt 35087
  • Daimler “Dingo” Mk Ib, 1:35 MiniArt 35067
  • Panzerspähwagen Mk I 202 (e) with Crew, 1:35 MiniArt 35082
  • Panzerspähwagen Mk II 202 (e) with Crew, 1:35 MiniArt 35074
  • Daimler “Dingo” Mk II Scout Car, 1:35 Tamiya 35018
    • Daimler “Dingo” Mk II Detail, 1:35 Eduard 35143
  • Daimler “Dingo” Mk III with Crew, 1:35 MiniArt 53088
  • Daimler “Dingo” Mk II Scout Car, 1:48 Gaso.Line GAS50066K
  • Daimler “Dingo” Mk II Scout Car, 1:48 Tamiya 32581
  • Daimler “Dingo” Mk II Scout Car, 1:56 Bolt Action Miniatures 343
  • Daimler “Dingo” Mk II Scout Car, 1:56 Warlord Games WGB-BI-101
  • Daimler “Dingo” Mk I Scout Car, 1:72 ACE 72248
  • Daimler “Dingo” Mk Ia Scout Car, 1:72 S-MODEL 720052
  • Panzerspähwagen Mk I 202 (e), 1:72 S-MODEL 720053
  • Daimler “Dingo” Mk II Scout Car with Crew, 20 mm Raventhorpe
  • Daimler “Dingo” Mk II Scout Car, 1:76 Matchbox 40175
  • Daimler “Dingo” Mk I Scout Car, 1:100 Zvezda 6229
  • Daimler “Dingo” Mk III (open), 15 mm Battlefront Miniatures BR310
  • Daimler “Dingo” Scout Car, 1:285 GHQ Models 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
  • National Guard of Cyprus, 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