IBG Models 1/72 DAC Mk.1 British nArmoured Car with Littlejohn Adapter kit 72148

The Daimler Armoured Car (DAC) Mk.I with Little John Adapter was a specialized British armoured car used during World War II, known for its mobility, durability, and unique anti-tank capabilities.

Daimler Armoured Car (DAC) Mk.I
The Daimler Armoured Car was one of the most successful British armoured cars of the war, designed by the Daimler Company in the late 1930s.

The Mk.I variant was introduced in 1941, and it featured a small but well-protected and agile design.

It was built on a four-wheel drive chassis, offering excellent off-road performance, and was powered by a Daimler 6-cylinder engine, which allowed it to achieve speeds up to 50 mph (80 km/h).

The DAC Mk.I was equipped with 16mm of frontal armour, making it well-suited to withstand small arms fire and shrapnel.

It was armed with a 2-pounder (40mm) QF gun as its main weapon, which, though effective against lightly armoured vehicles, faced limitations against more heavily armoured enemy tanks.

For secondary armament, it had a coaxial 7.92mm Besa machine gun.

Little John Adapter
To address the limitations of the 2-pounder gun in dealing with heavier German tanks, the British Army developed the Little John Adapter.

This device was a squeeze-bore adapter that was fitted onto the muzzle of the 2-pounder gun.

It worked by progressively "squeezing" the diameter of the fired projectile, which in turn increased its velocity and armour-piercing capabilities.

With the Little John Adapter, the 2-pounder was able to penetrate thicker armour than it could in its standard form, effectively increasing the lethality of the Daimler Armoured Car against German armour.

The Little John Adapter was relatively simple to install and could be removed if necessary, allowing the DAC Mk.I to maintain flexibility on the battlefield.

Though not a long-term solution to the increasing armour of enemy vehicles, the adapter gave the British a much-needed boost in firepower during the mid-war period, especially when larger anti-tank guns were not available.

Role and Performance
The DAC Mk.I with the Little John Adapter was primarily used for reconnaissance, infantry support, and patrols.

Its speed, combined with the upgraded firepower provided by the adapter, made it a valuable asset in fast-moving desert campaigns like those in North Africa, where it excelled in hit-and-run tactics.

The vehicle was praised for its mechanical reliability and the effectiveness of its 2-pounder gun when enhanced with the Little John Adapter.

However, as the war progressed and enemy tanks became more heavily armoured, even the improved performance of the 2-pounder with the Little John Adapter became insufficient, leading to the eventual replacement of the 2-pounder gun in favour of more powerful weapons systems in later armoured vehicles.

Summary
The Daimler Armoured Car (DAC) Mk.I with Little John Adapter was an innovative and highly mobile reconnaissance vehicle used by British forces during World War II.

While originally armed with a modest 2-pounder gun, the addition of the Little John Adapter allowed it to remain competitive against heavier enemy tanks, extending its battlefield utility.

Its combination of speed, armour, and enhanced firepower made it an effective tool in a variety of combat situations, especially in the challenging terrain of North Africa.