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'{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} {{Use British English|date=February 2017}} {{Infobox weapon |name = Bedford QL |image = File:Bedford Q series truck 1944 2800cc.jpg |caption = A QLR on show |origin = United Kingdom |type = |is_vehicle = yes |is_UK = yes <!-- Service history --> |service = |used_by = [[British Armed Forces]] |wars = [[Second World War]] <!-- Production history --> |designer = |design_date = |manufacturer = [[Bedford Vehicles|Bedford]] ([[General Motors]]) |unit_cost = |production_date = 1941-1945 |number = 52,247 |variants = QL1, QLB, QLC, QLD, QLR, QLT & QLW <!-- General specifications --> |spec_label = |length = {{convert|5.99|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} |width = {{convert|2.26|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} |height = 10 feet / 2.54m |weight = {{convert|7225|lb|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} (empty)<br>{{convert|15400|lb|0|abbr=on}} (loaded) |crew = 1 + 11 passengers <!-- Vehicle/missile specifications --> |armour = none |engine = Bedford, [[straight-six engine|6-cyl]] {{convert|3519|cc|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} [[petrol engine|petrol]] |engine_power = {{convert|72|hp|abbr=on|lk=in}} |pw_ratio = |transmission = |payload_capacity = 3&nbsp;[[ton]]s |suspension = Wheel, 4x4 |clearance = |fuel_capacity = |vehicle_range = {{convert|156|mi|-1|abbr=on}} |speed = |guidance = |steering = }} The '''Bedford QL''' was a series of trucks, manufactured by [[Bedford Vehicles|Bedford]] for use by the [[British Armed Forces]] in the [[Second World War]]. ==History== At the outbreak of WW II, Bedford was contracted by the British War Office to produce a 3 ton [[4×4]] general service truck. A pilot model was ready in February 1940 and quantity production started in March 1941.<ref>{{cite web|title=Danish Army Vehicles|url=http://www.armyvehicles.dk/bdql.htm}}</ref> The Bedford QL was in production from 1941 to 1945 and was Bedford's first vehicle series built for the military.{{sfn|Ware|2012|p=199}} ==Variants== [[File:Bedford QLD GS (1941) owner Fred Hughes pic2.JPG|right|thumb|QLD]] [[File:Second_world_war_Royal_Air_Force_Bedford_QL_aircraft_re-fueling_truck.jpg|right|thumb|Preserved RAF QL refuelling tanker at IWM Duxford]] ;QL1 : ::Prototype.{{sfn|Ware|2012|p=199}} ;QLB : ::[[Bofors gun]] tractor.{{sfn|Ware|2012|p=199}} Approximately 5,500 QLBs were built.<ref>{{cite web|title=Danish Army Vehicles|url=http://www.armyvehicles.dk/bdqlb.htm}}</ref> ::Several QLBs were fitted with shortened GS bodies and recovery cranes to be used as wreckers by the Danish Army (Used until late 1960s).<ref>{{cite web|title=Danish Army Vehicles|url=http://www.armyvehicles.dk/bdqlbwrecker.htm}}</ref> ;QLC : ::Fire engine.{{sfn|Ware|2012|p=199}} ::[[Signals (military)|Signals vehicle]].{{sfn|Ware|2012|p=199}} ::Petrol tanker.{{sfn|Ware|2012|p=199}} ;[[Bedford QLD|QLD]] : General service cargo truck and was the most numerous version in the series.{{sfn|Ware|2012|p=199}} ::Machinery.{{sfn|Ware|2012|p=199}} ::Kitchen.{{sfn|Ware|2012|p=199}} ::Battery storage.{{sfn|Ware|2012|p=199}} ;QLR : ::[[Signals (military)|Signals vehicle]].{{sfn|Ware|2012|p=199}} Originally mounted on the QLC chassis/cab, special QLR chassis were soon put into production, which differed from the standard type in having special electrical equipment, radio suppression, fitment of a 660 W auxiliary generator driven by the transfer case power-take-off and, like the QLT, two 16 gallon petrol tanks instead of one behind the cab. The interior furniture, partitioning and radio equipment varied from the different functions. On vehicles installed for the wireless role, a tent could be erected at the rear. Between cab and man body were lockers for aerial masts and other equipment. Beneath the body were further lockers and racks for cable drums, batteries, tyre chains, 20 gallon drinking water tank, rectifier box, tools, fuel tank for the auxiliary engine, jerrycans and other items. The basic body shells were produced by Duple, Lagonda, Mulliner, Tickford and others. A revised body was introduced in during 1944 for the Command High and Low Power and Wireless High Power roles. This body had an improved "L"-shaped tent which could be erected alongside the left-hand side and rear of the body.<ref>{{cite web|title=Danish Army Vehicles|url=http://www.armyvehicles.dk/bdqlr.htm}}</ref> ;QLT : ::[[Truck|Troop carrier]].{{sfn|Ware|2012|p=199}} From August 1941 and until the end of WW II more than 3,300 QLTs were produced. ;QLW : ::Air portable tipper.{{sfn|Ware|2012|p=199}} === Lorry, 3 ton, GS Bedford half-track (Bedford-Bren - prototype only) === Following the fall of Singapore rubber was scarce and so at the request of the Ministry of Supply a Bedford QL was [http://panzerserra.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/bedford-bren-halftrack-prototype-case.html adapted using a Carden Lloyd suspension] taken from a [[Bren Gun Carrier]]. While the [http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cWZRlB1wFxQ/UOK27zEZ7GI/AAAAAAAAJY0/xdIgGuOhbZ0/s400/real+bedford.jpg Bedford-Bren] was capable of impressive feats of tractive power (which could have been easily produced in its own right as a prime mover) British authorities, unlike the Americans and Germans, did not favour the half-track. The shortage of rubber was not as severe as anticipated and official interest in the project waned. Not only did this British parallel to the German [[Maultier]] not go into production, the single prototype was converted back into an all-wheel vehicle.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Bedford to Berlin and Beyond QL: the Forces Favourite 4x4|last = Coates|first = Robert|publisher = Motorbooks International|year = 1994|isbn = 9780948358050|location =|pages =}}</ref> === Lorry, 3 ton, 4 x 4, Bedford, experimental (Bedford Giraffe - prototype only) === An attempt to make a motor vehicle capable of deep wading for river crossings and amphibious landing, the Bedford Giraffe was developed as insurance against the shallow wading kits under development did not prove effective in deeper water. As a 'plan B' Vauxhall adapted a Bedford GL by mounting its engine, cab and gearbox on an elevated girder frame some seven feet high, with a chain drive transmitting power to the [[propshaft]]. The ungainly but effective vehicle demonstrated it was a viable solution should hastily extemporised waterproofing kits fail but they proved effective and so no specialised type was required.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Military Transport of World War II|last=Ellis|first=Chris|last2=Bishop|first2=Denis|publisher=Blandford Press Ltd|year=|isbn=0-7137-0702-X|location=167 High Holborn, London WC1V 6PH|pages=129}}</ref> ==References== ===Citations=== {{Reflist}} ===Bibliography=== *{{cite book |last1=Ware |first1=P |title= The illustrated guide to military vehicles |year=2012 |publisher= Hermes House |location= [[Wigston Magna|Wigston]]|isbn= 0-85723-953-8 |ref= {{harvid|Ware|2013}} }} * [[Bart Vanderveen]] (1989) 'Historic Military Vehicles Directory' ==External links== {{commons category|Bedford QL}} {{WWIIBritishSoftVeh}} [[Category:Military trucks of the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Off-road vehicles]] [[Category:World War II vehicles of the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Soft-skinned vehicles]] [[Category:Military vehicles 1940–1944]] [[Category:Bedford vehicles|QL]]'