Bedford MW

{{short description|British WWII truck}} {{Use British English|date=June 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}} {{Infobox weapon | name = Bedford MW | image = Rhodesians of 60th KRRC in North Africa, 1942.jpg | image_size = 300 | caption = Bedford MWD 15cwt truck with Rhodesian troops of the 60th [[King's Royal Rifles]], [[Western Desert campaign|Western Desert]], 1942. | type = General service truck | origin =[[United Kingdom]]  | is_ranged = | is_bladed = | is_explosive = | is_artillery = | is_vehicle = Yes | is_missile = | is_UK = Yes  | service = 1939–late 1950s | used_by = [[British Army]], [[Royal Air Force]] & [[Royal Navy]] | wars = [[World War II|Second World War]]  | designer = [[Bedford Vehicles|Bedford]] | design_date = 1937 | manufacturer = [[Bedford Vehicles|Bedford]] | unit_cost = | production_date = | number = 65,995 | variants =  | spec_label = | weight = {{convert|2.1|LT|t|abbr=on}} | length = {{convert|14|ft|4|in|abbr=on}} | part_length = | width = {{convert|6|ft|6|in|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|7|ft|6|in|abbr=on}} | diameter = | crew = 2 | passengers =  | armour = | primary_armament = | secondary_armament = | engine = [[Straight-six engine|Six-cylinder inline]] Bedford OHV {{convert|3.5|L|CID|order=flip|abbr=on}} [[petrol]] | engine_power = {{convert|72|bhp|kW|abbr=on}} at 3,000rpm | pw_ratio = | payload_capacity = {{convert|15|long cwt|kg|abbr=on}} | drive = Wheeled [[Two-wheel drive|4x2]] | transmission = 4 forward, 1 reverse | suspension = Live axles on semi-elliptical [[multi leaf spring]]s | clearance = | fuel_capacity = | vehicle_range = | speed = {{convert|40|mph|kph|abbr=on}} | guidance = | steering =  | ref = Chris Bishop{{r|Bishop}} & Pat Ware{{r|Ware}}}}

The '''Bedford MW''' was a general service truck manufactured by [[Bedford Vehicles|Bedford]] for use by the [[British Armed Forces]] during the [[World War II|Second World War]].

==Design== [[File:Karlovo nám. 2017 H3. Vojenská vozidla, Bedford MWR-15 CWT.jpg|thumb|Bedford MWR in camouflage of [[1st Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade]] on the 75th Anniversary of [[Operation Anthropoid]]]] [[File:Bedford MWC, Imperial War Museum, Duxford. (11773504215).jpg|thumb|Bedford MWC water tank]] The Bedford MW was a 15 cwt (760 kg) [[Two-wheel drive|4x2]] truck, powered by a [[Bedford Vehicles|Bedford]] {{convert|72|bhp|kW|abbr=on}} [[Straight-six engine|six-cylinder inline]] {{convert|3.5|L|CID|order=flip|abbr=on}} [[petrol]] engine through a four speed transmission.{{r|Bishop|Ware}}

Despite lacking [[four wheel drive]] and so being unsuited for off-road use, the MW's powerful engine, short wheel base, low centre of gravity and relatively light weight gave it excellent acceleration and almost sports car like handling.{{r|Ware}}<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20200413120615/http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/19th-july-2012/32/strategic-defence-review Strategic defence review] ''[[Commercial Motor]]'' 19 July 2012</ref>

The early MWs were open cabbed with a folding windscreen and a collapsible [[canvas]] tilt, from 1943 an enclosed cab with doors and [[Poly(methyl methacrylate)|perspex]] side screens was added, retaining the canvas top. The vehicle had a distinctive wide bonnet, necessitated by the need to accommodate a special extra large air filter that was never fitted to production vehicles.{{r|Bishop|Ware}}

==History== In 1935 the [[War Office]] issued specifications for a new 15 cwt 4x2 military truck for service with the [[British Army]], inviting manufacturers to submit designs to take part in annual comparative trials in [[North Wales]], one entrant was a modification of a Bedford 2-ton rear wheel drive lorry.{{r|Bishop|Ware}}

Following these trials Bedford fitted a larger radiator and larger tyres, the trials were repeated in 1936 after which Bedford modified the chassis to increase ground clearance and installed a new engine cooling system. For the 1937 trials a new special '''Bedford WD-1''' prototype was produced with a 15 cwt payload, it performed admirably and in 1938 the eventual {{Convert|72|bhp|abbr=on}} engine was installed.{{r|Bishop|Ware}}

Between 1939 and 1945 Bedford produced 65,995 MWs, the vehicles remained in British service until the late 1950s.{{r|Bishop|Ware}}<ref>[https://www.keymilitary.com/article/made-luton Made in Luton] [[Key Publishing]] 23 March 2025</ref>

==Use== The MW was intended mainly to be a workhorse for the British Army's infantry [[battalion]]s, but throughout the war it was adapted to a number of roles and was eventually also used by the [[Royal Air Force]], [[Royal Navy]], other government departments and some overseas customers.{{r|Bishop|Ware}}

===Variants=== The Bedford MW was built in multiple variants including:{{r|Ware}} * '''Bedford MWD''' cargo truck with General Service body approx {{convert|6|by|6|ft|m|abbr=on}}. Main transport of an infantry battalion.<ref>TM 30-410 p182</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=September 2021}} * '''Bedford MWC''' water tank truck * '''Bedford MWT''' anti-aircraft gun tractor *'''Bedford MWG''' [[Ordnance QF 2-pounder|QF 2-pounder]] or [[20mm Oerlikon]] [[portee]] *'''Bedford MWR''' radio truck * '''Bedford MWV''' [[Royal Air Force]] signals van

==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name=Bishop>Chris Bishop (ed), ''The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II'', London: Metro Books, 1998, page 109, {{ISBN|1-58663-762-2}}.</ref> <ref name=Ware>Pat Ware, ''A Complete Directory of Military Vehicles'', Wigston: Anness Publishing, 2012, page 106.</ref>}}

==External links== {{commons category-inline}} *[https://www.armyvehicles.dk/bdmwc.htm Bedford MWC ] at Danish army vehicles

[[Category:Military trucks of the United Kingdom]] [[Category:World War II vehicles of the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Soft-skinned vehicles]] [[Category:Bedford vehicles|MW]] [[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1930s]] [[Category:Vehicles introduced in 1939]]