- Yes.
- No.
- In a future Dutch/BeNeLux techtree.
- In the French BeNeLux sub-tree
- Other (Please explain in the comments).
- I said “No” in the first question.
Hello everyone, today I’ve got a real weird one for you all!
This is the Dutch Universal Carrier armed with a 20mm Hispano Mk II!
The only photo we have of this field modification
Source: [Een Bren-carrier met snelvuurkanon] | Nationaal Archief
History
Spoiler
Following the end of World War Two, the Netherlands was in dire need of Militairy Equipment. In the mainland of the Netherlands there were lots of Militairy dumps, containing surplus Cars, Halftracks and Tanks.
But this was not the case in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). Now there was no kind of enemy tank force to speak of in the Dutch East Indies, but there was still a demand for some kind of mechanized force. That is why shortly after the end of WW2, the Dutch ordered 1.200 Ford Universal Carrier from Canada to be used in the Dutch East Indies.
These carriers were perfectly suited for the environment, and the simple open construction of the Universal Carrier also meant that it could be very easily adapted for any role required.
The crew of this Universal Carrier I’m suggesting here got their hands on a 20 mm Hispano Mk. II autocannon taken of an aircraft (Spitfire most likely). This autocannon was mounted on the front of the carrier, right where the original Bren machine gun would have been. The gun has a small gun shield welded to the shroud that mostly protects only the gun itself, not the crew behind it. Due to the guns size and location it was only able to fire in front of the vehicle, not to the sides.
As a little joke, this vehicle can also be given a Bren Machine Gun on top, and four extra Lee–Enfield rifles. All these weapons are visible on the image above.
The Universal Carriers would remain in the Dutch East Indies, and were a big part of the Indonesian National Revolution. A number of them would also be captured by the Indonesians and used for the years to come.
Image cross references
Proving it’s a 20mm Hispano Mk. IISpoiler
Pointing out various identification points of the 20 mm Hispano. The one shown here in the photo is a Mk. II. This cross references is simply to prove it’s a Hispano.
Source: File:Hispano-Suiza HS404 Mk.II.JPG - Wikimedia Commons
Comparison of the gun shroud of a 20mm Hispano Mk. II on a Spitfire. It is identical to the shroud seen on the gun operated by the Dutch Army men.
Source: Файл:Hispano Mk.II без обтекателя.jpg — War Thunder Wiki
Specifications
Spoiler
Mass: 4.01 tons
Crew: 5Powerplant: Ford England GAU370 Petrol engine
Engine horsepower: 85 hp
Max speed: 50 km/hArmament:
- 1 x 1 20 mm Hispano Mk. II autocannon
Confirmed ammunition:
- Brisantgranaat (High-Explosive-Tracer)
- Oefeningsspringbrisantgranaat (Practice-High-Explosive-Tracer)
Ingame
Spoiler
I think this vehicle would be really funny and derpy to play ingame. At Rank I this Universal Carrier could zoom around the battlefield and catch people offguard with the high-firerate autocannon.
There is one big problem tho. Historically speaking we only know of two types of 20 mm HE shells being in use for the Hispano in the Dutch East Indies. So this vehicle only has HE shells as far as we know.
But knowing Gaijin I would imagine they just copy paste the belts of the British guns, so it will end up having AP rounds.The BeNeLux has been added to France, so this is now the only option where Dutch vehicles will go to. At the moment (7-1-2026) there is no proper BeNeLux ground vehicle line, so this little Universal Carrier could be a nice start of a BeNeLux line if you ask me.
A really cool image of another 20mm Hispano Mk II in a similar mounted as seen on the Universal Carrier
Source: Unknown
That would be all for today, see you next time!
Sources
Spoiler
Main source:
- “Wiel en Rups, Voertuigen van de landmacht 1945-2015” book by Sander Ruys
- Pantser.net.
Extra sources: