Daimler Mk II

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Daimler Mk II
uk_daimler_mk_2.png
GarageImage Daimler Mk II.jpg
ArtImage Daimler Mk II.png
Daimler Mk II
AB RB SB
1.3 1.3 1.3
Class:
Research:2 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:700 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The excellent performance of the turretless Daimler Scout Car led people to suggest that a larger armoured car version with a turret be built as well. The Daimler was similar in design but also introduced a rear-facing wheel for the commander to use in an emergency. The same turret used for the Tetrarch was employed by the Daimler. Most of their use was during the Africa Campaign, where armoured cars were crucial in the vast distances of the dessert, in situations where mobility was often more important than raw power. The tank was Britain's main reconnaissance vehicle during this time period, while it was also the heaviest of all the armoured cars fitted by the British.

It was introduced in Update 1.71 "New E.R.A.". A QF 2-pounder on 4x4 wheels, this vehicle is made to support infantry in a way similar to the cavalry. It is not made to withstand heavy fire. Notably, its wheeled configuration means the car does not fire well when on the move, and it will turn in an arc. Meanwhile, its good reverse speed could possibly save the car as long as the move happens before the enemy shoots. The Daimler is recognisable from other armoured cars by its hexagonal hull centre and its short length. It has 4 mm boxes scattered across the hull and a spare tire on the left side. Besides the main armament, it is equipped with a coaxial BESA machine gun (same MG as higher rank British vehicles), a decent gun to shower open-topped SPGs with lead.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull16 / 10 / 14
Turret16 / 14 / 10
Crew3 people
Visibility76 %

Daimler's survivability against enemy impacts is very low. The crew is tightly placed inside the vehicle. The armour plates only provide significant cover against machine guns fire. 20 mm calibre or higher will be able to pierce the armoured car. Having both thin armour and a small crew, the Daimler cannot sustain heavy enemy fire. The Daimler might survive if the enemy shell hits lower the combat compartment, often damaging the transmission but keeping the crew unscathed. The angles of the armour plates offer the possibility of ricocheting some shells, but the chances of this occurring are low.

While the armour is weak, drivers can take advantage of the good manoeuvrability and gun to ambush enemies. The enemies to be most wary of in the Daimler is any vehicle with a rapid firing cannon. German vehicles with 20 mm cannons and most enemy AA vehicles are very dangerous for the Daimler, because their rounds will shred its armour.

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 14 mm (1°) Front plate
14 + 4 mm Front glacis
14 mm (34°) Lower glacis
16 mm (1°) Driver's port
10 mm (19-34°) Top
10 mm Bottom
14 mm (1°) Top
14 mm (18-24°) Bottom
8 mm
Turret 16 mm (16°) Turret front
16 mm (0-79°) Gun mantlet
14 mm (16-17°) 10 + 4 mm 4 mm

Notes:

  • Belly armour is 7 mm thick.
  • Wheels provide 2 mm thick armour.
  • A 14 mm RHA plate separates the engine compartment from the crew.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB89 / 41 km/h
RB and SB80 / 37 km/h
Number of gears8 forward
5 back
Weight7.6 t
Engine power
AB181 hp
RB and SB95 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB23.8 hp/t
RB and SB12.5 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 89 41 7.6 112 181 14.74 23.82
Realistic 80 37 84 95 11.05 12.5

The Daimler is very similar to other British light tanks at the tier, but with one major difference: it has wheels rather than tracks. This difference allows the Daimler to reach really good high speeds on road. Because of this, Daimler drivers should consider planning their route based on what roads are available on the map, however once engaged with the enemy, it is best to find cover rather than remain exposed on the road.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB94 → 128 Sl icon.png
RB90 → 122 Sl icon.png
SB106 → 144 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications2 975 Rp icon.png
900 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost190 Ge icon.png
Crew training200 Sl icon.png
Experts1 000 Sl icon.png
Aces20 Ge icon.png
Research Aces96 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
10 / 10 / 20 % Sl icon.png
100 / 100 / 100 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new wheels.png
Tires
Research:
150 Rp icon.png
Cost:
45 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods new car suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
135 Rp icon.png
Cost:
40 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
135 Rp icon.png
Cost:
40 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
185 Rp icon.png
Cost:
55 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
240 Rp icon.png
Cost:
75 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
240 Rp icon.png
Cost:
75 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
150 Rp icon.png
Cost:
45 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
135 Rp icon.png
Cost:
40 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement uk.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
185 Rp icon.png
Cost:
55 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
150 Rp icon.png
Cost:
45 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
40mm_uk_2pdr_APHV_ammo_pack
Research:
150 Rp icon.png
Cost:
45 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
135 Rp icon.png
Cost:
40 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
40mm_uk_2pdr_APHE_ammo_pack
Research:
135 Rp icon.png
Cost:
40 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
185 Rp icon.png
Cost:
55 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
185 Rp icon.png
Cost:
55 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
240 Rp icon.png
Cost:
75 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
40mm_uk_2pdr_APCBC_ammo_pack
Research:
240 Rp icon.png
Cost:
75 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

Shoulder stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in one plane while moving
Ammunition52 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
3.6 → 2.8 s
Vertical guidance-12° / 25°
Main article: QF 2-pounder (40 mm)

The 40 mm QF (quick-firing) 2-pounder is one of the best guns at the rank, and has a good selection of ammunition. The extremely high rate of fire (2.8s reload) gives the Daimler the ability to dispatch multiple enemies. This means that if the Daimler and the enemy both miss the first shot, the Daimler is likely to get in the second shot before the enemy has reloaded.

The gun penetration is remarkably good even against some rank II vehicles and rank III vehicles' side armour. However, the absence of explosive filler on the highest penetration round (unlike German, Italian, or Swedish counterparts) means the Daimler must fire 2 or more rounds against an enemy tank. Knowing when and where to fire, is vital to exploit the superior reload rate of this cannon. The gun traverse rate is one of the drawbacks to consider. Pretty similar to the previous Tetrarch. The aiming must be aided by smart use of mobility and positioning.

40 mm QF 2-pounder Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 52 -12°/+25° ±180° Vertical 42.84 59.29 72.00 79.62 84.71 3.64 3.22 2.97 2.80
Realistic 9.52 11.20 13.60 15.04 16.00

Ammunition

The most beneficial shell due to the proper ballistics and overall better penetration is the Shot Mk.IXB APCBC/T. The penetration at long-ranges is also superior to all the other shells. Tank commanders are encouraged to use this shell.

The Shot Mk.1 APHV/T (Armour piercing High velocity/ tracer) shell offers a higher muzzle velocity. This will help with the shell drop, but significant penetration is lost with distance.

The Shell Mk.1 AP/T is one of the only shells with armour-piercing and explosive capacities available for the British tanks. It works well during close quarters, but the use at long distances (500+ m) is not advised.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Shot Mk.1 AP/T AP 72 68 52 37 27 19
Shot Mk.IXB APCBC/T APCBC 89 86 77 66 57 50
Shot Mk.1 APHV/T AP 80 75 58 41 30 21
Shell Mk.1 AP/T APHE 66 62 49 36 26 20
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
Shot Mk.1 AP/T AP 792 1.08 - - - 47° 60° 65°
Shot Mk.IXB APCBC/T APCBC 792 1.24 - - - 48° 63° 71°
Shot Mk.1 APHV/T AP 853 1.08 - - - 47° 60° 65°
Shell Mk.1 AP/T APHE 792 1.08 1.2 9 20.9 47° 60° 65°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Daimler Mk II
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
52 40 (+12) 27 (+25) 14 (+38) (+51) No

Note:

  • Shells are modelled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.

Optics

Daimler Mk II Optics
Which ones Default magnification Maximum magnification
Main Gun optics x1.85 x3.5
Comparable optics AMR.35 ZT3

Machine guns

Ammunition675 rounds
Belt capacity225 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate600 shots/min
Main article: BESA (7.92 mm)

The machine gun is present as a secondary role gun. The use of this machine gun limits significantly to vehicles with an exposed crew , like anti-air half-tracks or open trucks, Type 94 for example; or SPGs with exposed rear and top like the Panzerjager I.

Commanders should be ready to fire with the machine gun. Because of the quickfire, the machine gun becomes a more effective way to deal with some vehicles. Whereas the main gun might pierce and cause punctual damage, with the machine gun is possible to spray the fire and finish exposed crews quicker.

Another role of this machine gun is for anti-air. The turret traverse speed limits this use but is an available possibility.

7.92 mm BESA
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 675 (225) 600 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

Generally, the best play style for the Daimler is to flank using a road until near the enemy and then fire from cover against enemy side armour. The Daimler is capable in both short and long-range fights. At long-range make sure to use cover and wait till the enemy looks away before exposing yourself. At close range, you can use your speed to outmanoeuvre the enemy.

Thanks to the good mobility and decent firepower, this light car can be a highly effective flanker. There are also several roles in which the Daimler can effectively perform at:

Brawler

The urban close maps require a high amount of situational awareness. The Daimler's quick-firing gun allows for this playstyle. Nonetheless, the armour doesn't. Commanders should use the mobility both forwards and backwards to wisely position the Daimler. Consider the Daimler is not a tracked vehicle (cannot turn on the spot), so it must turn in what is known as the three-point turn.

Once a good area is found (one that allows the retreat to a second position) The Daimler can remain settled or roam close the zone, along with the allied vehicles. Use hills and slopes to extend the survivability, the cannon is highly flexible due to a good vertical depression. So the Daimler can be close to combat while remaining partially hidden.

The frontal engagements should be fully avoided. Seek alternative routes or stay behind the allied tanks on the frontline.

Supporting light tank

The Daimler is capable to provide quick-fire support to friendly tanks in the frontline. If impossible to penetrate an enemy tank frontally, proceed to fire at the gun's barrel, the tracks or the turret cupola. All of this will help allied tanks.

This is not the only useful aspect of this role, but commanders can become "field mechanics" with these light vehicles and help to repair any allied vehicle in the combat; heavy tanks can use this help greatly because they will be constantly shot and damaged. Be aware of where the fighting is and remain close, a message of allied repair request might appear.

Do not forget to employ the artillery strike to tame enemy's advance in nearby areas or cap zones and release the smoke grenades when needed. All of this can be vital to help the team to win.

Msg-info.png With the Daimler consider never exposing yourself to enemy fire; be ready to retreat in reverse and with smoke cover!

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Fast forward and reverse speed, and acceleration
  • Armour is thin enough to avoid detonating some APHE shells; some shells might pass through
  • Decent firepower: fast reload, good penetration and damage, -12° gun depression, stabiliser
  • 2 smoke grenade launchers
  • Many 4 mm boxes scattered on the hull, offering compact ammo rack protection against shrapnel and machine guns
  • Relatively low profile compared to something like M3 Stuart

Cons:

  • Armour is lacking overall; only three crewmen means poor survivability
  • Wheels does not turn on point; limits mobility
  • Has difficulty reaching max speed off-road
  • Lacklusture power-to-weight ratio, hinders mobility in rough/uneven terrain

History

The excellent performance of the turretless Daimler Scout Car led people to suggest that a larger armoured car version with a turret be built as well. The Daimler was similar in design but also introduced a rear-facing wheel for the commander to use in an emergency. It carried the same turret as the Tetrarch light tank, putting it on a par with early-war British tanks.

German bombing raids over England hampered production, however, and the vehicle did not enter combat until mid-1942; 2,694 would be built.

In the Desert Campaign, they were used by the King's Dragoon Guards and the Royal Dragoons, and by the time of the Tunisia campaign, additional armoured car regiments. In the desert, the Daimler was normally the heaviest-armed armoured car, with one in each three-car troop. After the North African campaign, armoured car troops were reorganized into 4-car troops with two Daimlers and two lighter armoured scout cars.

Daimlers were also used by the 11th Cavalry in the Burma campaign. They remained in British service until 1960.

Media

Skins

See also

Vehicles of similar configuration and role:

Vehicles of similar role:

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


Daimler Company Limited
Armoured Cars  Daimler Mk II

Britain light tanks
A13  A13 Mk I · A13 Mk I (3rd R.T.R.) · A13 Mk II · A13 Mk II 1939
A15  Crusader II · Crusader "The Saint" · Crusader III
A17  Tetrarch I
IFV  Warrior
Wheeled  Daimler Mk II · AEC Mk II · Fox · Vickers Mk.11
Other  VFM5
South Africa 
SARC  SARC MkIVa · SARC MkVI (2pdr) · SARC MkVI (6pdr)
Ratel  Ratel 90 · Ratel 20
Rooikat  Rooikat Mk.1D · Rooikat 105 · Rooikat MTTD
Other  Concept 3 · Eland 90 Mk.7
USA  Stuart I · Stuart III