The Morris CS9 model is here
The Morris CS9 on Warwheels is here
In the 1920s, the British army used armored cars on 4×2 chassis (mainly Rolls-Royce). At the end of the decade, England decided to modernize its fleet as these vehicles were poorly suited for off-road use. Following experiments in other countries (notably the United States with the T4 or the USSR with the BA-I and BA-3), it was decided to favor 6×4 chassis for better performance and heavier weapon carriage. 43 Lanchesters were produced between 1927 and 1931, followed by 6 Crossleys (approximately 76 Rolls-Royce vehicles were still in service). At the same time, a relatively inexpensive and quick-to-produce 4×2 model based on the Morris CS8 truck was ordered to bridge the gap before the arrival of more powerful models. At the end of the 1930s, with the threat of war in Europe becoming apparent, the British Army decided to modernize its equipment with newer, more powerful 4×4 chassis, superior to the existing 6x4s (the first model of this type produced was the Guy). At that time, the only modern armored cars were the 100 (99 + 1 prototype) Morris CS9/LAC (Light Armored Car) vehicles tested in 1936 and delivered in 1938.
Designed and built by the Royal Ordnance Factory in Woolwich, the Morris CS9/LAC (Light Armored Car) was based on the chassis of the Morris CS8 4×2 15cwt commercial truck. Three prototypes were built and tested in different configurations in 1936, and the model chosen after testing was built in early 1937 on a chassis lengthened by 45 cm. The tires were soft. A 7 mm armored and riveted superstructure was mounted on this chassis. The truck’s engine was retained (a 3.485-liter 6-cylinder), but its power was increased to 98 hp to compensate for the weight gain due to the armor. The top speed was 45 mph (73 km/h). The crew consisted of four members (commander and gunner in the turret, driver and radio operator in the hull), including two in the turret. The driver sat in the front right-hand corner. The turret was open and housed a Boys anti-tank rifle, a smoke canister, and a Bren gun. Two doors (one on the right and one on the left of the hull) provided access to the vehicle. A No. 19 radio was mounted. The prototype was tested in 1936 with satisfactory results. The top speed was 43 mph (70 km/h) on the road, and its firing and off-road capabilities were good. Ninety-nine vehicles were ordered and produced (plus the prototype) in 1937/38.
These vehicles were intended to equip the army’s only two armored cavalry regiments (12th Lancers and 11th Hussars). In fact, many Morris CS9s remained in Great Britain for training or security missions.
The 12th Lancers was equipped with 38 examples from early 1937 (replacing the Lanchester 6X4s adopted after the decision to motorize the cavalry regiments in 1928) and saw action in France in 1939/40, the BEF’s only armored car regiment. All examples were lost during this campaign, destroyed or abandoned. The 12th Lancers consisted of three Squadrons, the Morris of A Squadron had names beginning with A, those of B Squadron with B and those of C Squadron with C. In France, the CS9s carried the white identification square on the turret and the 129 panel in white on a black square with a lower white border which indicates the 12th Lancers.
The only other regiment to be equipped with this model was the 11th Hussars (30 examples). In the spring of 1940, the 7th Armored Brigade was sent to Egypt, and the 11th Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own) was also sent for reinforcement (it should be noted that it was also equipped with a few old Rolls-Royces). It was deployed in the North African campaign with a different tires setup that allowed for better performance on soft ground, a Bren gun in AA position, a flag holder at the rear of the turret and a map holder on the left front door (among other modifications). A few examples were captured by the Italians, notably during the Battle of Bir el Gobi (November 1941).
The remaining examples were kept in Great-Britain for personnel training.
The Morris CS9 was withdrawn from the front lines in the spring of 1941 as it had become obsolete in its role, but many examples were stripped of their armament and even their turrets and converted into radio command vehicles.
Length: 4.77 m
Width: 2.05 m
Height: 2.13 m
Armor: 7 mm
Armament: Boys 13.9 mm anti-tank rifle – 7.7 mm Bren
Weight: 4,268 t
Engine: Morris 6 cyl – 3,485 l – 98 hp
Range: 385 km