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Sizaire-Berwick Wind-Wagon

Specifications

Country of Origin/Used by:	Great Britain
First Produced/Service Dates:	1915
Manufactured by:	Chassis: Sizaire-Berwick, Ltd.; Armor: British Admiralty Air Department
Crew:	2
Armament:	(1) .303 Vickers-Maxim Machine Gun
Engine:	Front: 4 Cylinder Gasoline; Rear: Sunbeam 110 h.p. Aircraft Engine*
Miscellaneous Info:	The Wind-Wagon, was a prototype armored car developed for use by the Royal Naval Air Service in the desert.  At the time, it was believed that armored cars would flounder in the deep sand and be unable to move effectively.  To remedy this, an aircraft engine was mounted in the rear of the car in the hope that it would "blow" it over sandy ground.  The Wind-Wagon was built on the chassis of a Sizaire-Berwick 20 hp touring car and was armored with only mild-steel plating.  No subsequent production of the vehicle occurred due to a shortage of the engines needed for aircraft.  Also, as the use of other armored car types in the desert increased, it was observed that their performance was better than anticipated and not the problem envisioned.  * Vehicle sources we have reviewed do not address the fate of the original automobile engine: was it retained or eliminated?  Based on the projected purpose of the aircraft engine and the contemporary photos showing the engine radiator present, we believe the automobile gasoline engine was kept.
Data Sheet Available:	None Available

Photos

Reference	Source/Provider
Sizaire-Berwick Wind-Wagon Photos	The Dave Haugh Collection

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