Oxford Diecast 76QLR001

Bedford QLR 1st Infantry Division UK 1942

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI/AI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 3 (1923 to 1947) The Big Four (LNER, LMS, GWR and SR)
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)

Manufacturer description

At the outbreak of WW II, Bedford was contracted by the British War Office to produce a 3-ton 4 x 4 general service truck. A pilot model was ready in February 1940 and quantity production started in March 1941. The Bedford QL was in production from 1941 to 1945 and was Bedford's first vehicle series built for the British Armed Forces and evolved for use in numerous different military activities during the conflict, several of which have been produced as Oxford scale models. Our new addition to the 1:76 Oxford Military series is based on the Bedford QLR, which was a signals vehicle. Originally mounted on the QLC chassis/cab, special QLR chassis were soon put into production, having special electrical equipment, radio suppression, fitment of a 660 W auxiliary generator driven by the transfer case powertake-off and, like the QLT, two 16 gallon petrol tanks instead of one behind the cab. The interior furniture, partitioning and radio equipment varied according to the different functions. On vehicles installed for the wireless role, a tent could be erected at the rear. Between the cab and main body were lockers for aerial masts and other equipment. Beneath the body were further lockers and racks for cable drums, batteries, tyre chains, 20 gallon drinking water tank, rectifier box, tools, fuel tank for the auxiliary engine, jerry cans and other items. The basic body shells were produced by Duple, Lagonda, Mulliner, Tickford and others. A revised body was introduced in 1944 for the Command High and Low Power and Wireless High Power roles. Our solid looking military Bedford QLR comes decorated in the dark earth/grey brown drab military markings, relieved only by the white and yellow printing on the front and sides of the cab and across the back of the vehicle. The model is topped off with a spare wheel towards the rear of the roof

Catalogue listing

Oxford Diecast Bedford QLR – 1st Infantry Division (UK, 1942)

The model is a 1:76 scale die‑cast representation of the Bedford QLR signals vehicle used by the British Army’s 1st Infantry Division in 1942. It is supplied by Oxford Diecast under part number 76QLR001 and is finished in dark earth/grey‑brown drab military markings with white and yellow stencilling on the cab and rear.

The original Bedford QL series was commissioned by the War Office at the start of the Second World War. A pilot model was ready on 01/02/1940 and volume production began on 01/03/1941. The QL remained in production until 1945. The QLR variant was a specialised signals version, initially built on the QLC chassis and later on a dedicated QLR chassis fitted with radio‑suppression equipment, a 660 W auxiliary generator, dual 16‑gallon fuel tanks, and extensive internal lockers for aerials, cable drums, batteries, water, tools and jerry cans. Body shells were supplied by coachbuilders such as Duple, Lagonda, Mulliner and Tickford, with a revised body introduced in 1944 for high‑power wireless roles.

The die‑cast model includes a spare wheel mounted on the roof rear, and the exterior detailing reproduces the period‑accurate equipment layout, including the cab partitioning and the optional rear tent for wireless operations. It depicts the vehicle as it would have appeared in service during 1942, offering collectors a historically accurate miniature of a key British Army communications truck.