Oxford Diecast 76QLT003

Bedford QLT 1st Polish Arm Div Netherlands 1944

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI 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 (1957 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

Bedford built a series of the basic QL truck between 1941 and the end of WWII essentially for the British Armed Forces, including the QLT which was a Troop Carrier. Here we see the QLT as used by the Polish 1st Armoured Division, set up by General Maczek from their exiled HQ in the Scottish Border before joining the Western Allies in Northern Europe. At its peak the Division, nicknamed the Black Devils, numbered approximately 16,000 soldiers. The division served in the final phases of theBattle of Normandyin August 1944. Then, after the Allied armies broke out from Normandy, the Polish 1st Armoured Division pursued the Germans along the coast of France, Belgium and then the Netherlands, including a successful outflanking manoeuvre planned and performed by GeneralMaczekin the liberation of Bredawithout any civilian casualties in October 1944. The Division spent the winter of 1944-1945 guarding the south bank of the Rhine before liberating - alongside the Allies -further territories along the Dutch-German border.

Our 1:76 scale replica brings to life these lesser known facts and comes decorated in the muddy brown two-tone camouflage scheme with white markings which would have blended in perfectly with the Northern European terrain in the winter of 1944. A special detail to note is the Polish Armoured Division's crest printed on the lower front and rear side depicting a helmet and wings, inspired by Polish Hussars. History in the making!

Catalogue listing