World's First Armed Car- The Motor Scout

Wars have played a significant role in shaping the world that we live in today. Equipped with a powerful military, nations around the globe are marching towards the future, ready to take on the challenges with a brave face! A nation with a strong military force, is considered to be mighty and is ready to combat the forces that can pose a threat to its national security. 

Military vehicles have changed dramatically over the years. The powerful and intimidating combat vehicles that are being used in military operations today, are a testament of the colossal transformation that the fighting vehicles have undergone.

We live in an era when the Stryker Combat Vehicles, the versatile eight wheeled armoured fighting vehicles, designed to carry weapons and transport infantry soldiers in and out battle, are a reality!

Armoured vehicles for combat are fundamental today, but there was a time when a vehicle with an armour or gun was unheard of. 

It was Mr. Frederick Richard Simms, a British mechanical engineer and businessman, who paved the way for the combat vehicles of the modern world by developing the very first armed car, The Motor Scout.

Had it not been for the Motor Scout, the world would have never known the role that the armoured vehicles could play in military warfare. A prolific inventor and a pioneer of the motor industry, Frederick Simms developed the first armed car by blending the emerging technologies of mobility and warfare during that time. 

Through this article we will be sharing the story of the pioneer of the motor industry, Mr. Frederick Simms, who brought a revolution in the motor world by developing the first military vehicle, an invention that changed the course of vehicles, forever! 

Meaning of Military

A military is an organized force which is authorized by a sovereign state to maintain arms. The heavily armed, highly organized force called ‘Military’ is primarily meant for warfare. Also called ‘The Armed Forces’, it consists of the soldiers trained professionally to carry out military operations in order to safeguard national security and defence.

Meaning of Military Vehicle

A military vehicle is a specially designed vehicle that is used by the military for land combat and transportation. These vehicles are highly equipped with off-roading capabilities, where four-wheel drive is a must and the vehicle is capable of driving on and off the paved road. Military vehicles are fitted with armour, so that they can withstand bullets and shrapnel, and also protect the personnel from enemy fire. 

Frederick Richard Simms - The Father of the British Motor Industry

Frederick Richard Simms (12 August,1863 – 22 April,1944) was the son of Frederick Louis Simms and  Antonia née Hermans. He completed his education in Germany and London.

In 1889, Simms met German engineer Gottlieb Daimler and purchased the rights to manufacture Daimler's high-speed petrol engines. He then moved to London, England and became a mechanical engineer. In London, Simms started creating all kinds of automotive designs. 

Daimler's high-speed petrol engines were first used in motor launches but soon paved the way for the beginning of the British motor industry.

Simms founded the Automobile Club of Great Britain in 1897 which later became the (RAC) Royal Automobile Club. Simms was the one who coined the words ‘Petrol’ and ‘Motorcar’ and was also the founder of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

In the year 1898, Simms designed and built The Motor Scout, the first armed car. It was the first armed petrol-engine powered vehicle which was ever built.

The Automobile Club Show at Richmond

In the Automobile Club Show at Richmond in 1899, the cars taking part were limited to those that had received a special invite as the organizers wanted the show to be as presentable as possible.

During the Motor Show, the spectators were startled to hear gunfire which came from the driving track. The crowds rushed towards the tracks and it caused a little stampede in that direction. There was great excitement in the crowd when they found out that Simms was demonstrating his armed car, The Motor Scout. The sound that had startled the spectators was created by the Maxim Gun on the Simms’s Motor Scout. It was the very first petrol powered armed vehicle for the world.

Simms's Motor Scout, a quadricycle, with one and a half horse-power motor at the back and a Maxim gun, worked from the saddle, and pivoted on a swivel over what would be the front seat. There were ten boxes of cartridges resting upon the platform beneath the seat.

The vehicle was meant to be used in the battlefield. It was demonstrated by Simms during the Motor Show that when required, all the warlike paraphernalia could be removed and the armed machine could be converted to a two-seater quadricycle.

Models of Simms's Patent Magneto-Electric Ignition Gear were also displayed during the exhibition.

Frederick Simms was applauded for his inventions during the motor show and there was great excitement in the crowd about the Motor Scout.

Mr. Frederick Richard Simms can be seen in the pic, sighting the gun while travelling at some speed in the Motor Scout.

About the Motor Scout

Dimension

The vehicle was a De Dion-Bouton Quadricycle which had a Maxim machine gun on the front bar. The driver of the quadricycle was supposed to operate the machine gun. In order to protect the driver, Simms placed an iron shield in front of the car and that worked as a cover.

Engine

The Motor Scout was powered by a one and a half horsepower Simms' Patent Automatic Petrol Motor, with Simms' Magneto-Electric Ignition.

Range

Petrol for the engine was carried in a running tank and it could run for about 120 miles with that petrol. By fitting a spare petrol receptacle, the range of the machine could be doubled.

Maxim Machine Gun

The Machine Gun, mounted above the front wheels of the quadricycle, carried a thousand rounds of ammunition in front, in such a position that the rider could easily access it without dismounting. The weapon was designed to be fired solely by the driver and still allow him to maintain control of the car. The gun and the ammunition took the place of the front rider. 

A Convertible

The Motor Scout was convertible and could be easily turned into a two-seater quadricycle. The quadricycle was also available without the gun for non-military purposes. People could use it as a two-seater vehicle with a payment of £120.

Similarity with US-made Davidson-Duryea Armed Tricycle

Motor Scout, the world’s first armed vehicle, looked quite similar to the US-made Davidson-Duryea, a 3- and 4-wheeled armed armoured vehicle manufactured in 1898 and 1899 for military use. 

Limitations of the Motor Scout

No Off-Roading Capabilities

The first petrol powered armed vehicle for the world had its limitations. It was not designed as an off-roading vehicle, but was designed to provide support for infantry and cavalry where roads were available. It could operate on roads and was not made for running over ploughed fields or for charging.

Limited Range

The range of the Motor Scout had its limits. The standard tank carried enough fuel for the vehicle for 120 miles.

Little Protection From Enemy Fire

The Motor Scout was ‘an armed car’ and not ‘an armoured car’ and it provided little protection to the crew from enemy fire. The only armour on the Simms Motor Scout was placed around its machine gun, and that worked as a shield to protect its operator if a shot came from the front. But the operator’s rear and the sides were without cover and left exposed, and that would leave him very vulnerable if the enemy fired a shot from the sides or the rear.

Motor Scout Never Saw Military Action

The Motor Scout had established the fact that four-wheeled vehicles could also be used as mobile weapons to kill enemy forces in the battlefield. It was one of the world’s first armed vehicles, designed and built by Frederick Richard Simms, in an era when a vehicle fitted with an armour or gun was a far cry from reality. 

Fate of The First Armed Car

Despite having a mounted gun, the Motor Scout never saw military action. It was never used in warfare and the machine did not sell.

Though the machine did not sell, the concept did sell. Many other bicycle and motor-cycle units mounted with guns were formed, and were extensively used for experimental purposes.

Later, the Motor Scout was re-engineered to allow a passenger to sit on the back. This variant was primarily meant for civilian use and the one thing missing from the Motor Scout’s new model was the giant machine gun in the front. The vehicle was available for purchase at £120 during that time.

Frederick Simms did not win any contracts from the Army for developing the First Armed Car, but the concept was a revolutionary breakthrough for motor vehicles. The design of the Motor Scout motivated Simms to create a much heavier, fully armoured military car, which he called the Motor War Car.

In the next article, we will share the story of the World’s First Armoured car, The Motor War Car.

A strong national defence is the prerequisite for a successful and free country. A country equipped with the best military combat vehicles can defend its borders and safeguard the nation. Through our article series on ‘Evolution of Military Vehicle’ we will bring out unique stories from the history of military automotive vehicles to manifest the colossal transformation that the military vehicles have undergone over the years. For more updates, check our website www.carbike360.com. In case of any query, feel free to contact us.