Daimler Mk II

Daimler Mk II

Tetrarch I

Daimler Mk II

Tetrarch I

Britain

I Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
1.3	1.3	1.3

Class:

Light tank

Research:2 900

Purchase:700

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

RB90 → 122

SB106 → 144

Total cost of modifications2 975

900

Talisman cost190

Crew training200

Experts1 000

Aces20

Research Aces96 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

10 / 10 / 20 %

100 / 100 / 100 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tires Research: 150 Cost: 45 50 Suspension Research: 135 Cost: 40 45 Brake System Research: 135 Cost: 40 45 Filters Research: 185 Cost: 55 60 Transmission Research: 240 Cost: 75 80 Engine Research: 240 Cost: 75 80	Improved Parts Research: 150 Cost: 45 50 Improved FPE Research: 135 Cost: 40 45 Crew Replenishment Research: 185 Cost: 55 60	Horizontal Drive Research: 150 Cost: 45 50 40mm_uk_2pdr_APHV_ammo_pack Research: 150 Cost: 45 50 Adjustment of Fire Research: 135 Cost: 40 45 40mm_uk_2pdr_APHE_ammo_pack Research: 135 Cost: 40 45 Elevation Mechanism Research: 185 Cost: 55 60 Smoke grenade Research: 185 Cost: 55 60 Artillery Support Research: 240 Cost: 75 80 40mm_uk_2pdr_APCBC_ammo_pack Research: 240 Cost: 75 80

Armaments

Main armament

40 mm QF 2-pounder cannon

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-15° / 25°

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)	1 (+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

7.92 mm BESA machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition675 rounds

Belt capacity225 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate600 shots/min

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.

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

• Skins and camouflages for the Daimler Mk II from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Vehicles of similar configuration and role:

• SARC MkIVa
• AMD.35
• AEC Mk II
• AB 43

Vehicles of similar role:

• Tetrarch I
• SARC MkVI (2pdr)
• Sd.Kfz.221 (s.Pz.B.41)
• M8 LAC
• BA-11

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