Practically unknown today, The Champ was a very expensive replacement of the Jeep in the post war British Army. I remember a neighbouring farmer bought one at a knock down price and drove it into the ground. Its off road ability was a legend. Pity parts were expensive.
If we are going down the road of a post war British Army, then the Austin Champ saw widespread service until the Landrover came in at about have the price.
If you do a google search and hit images you will see how modern a design it was.
In popular culture Benbros did a diecast in 1/72 scale, and at 1/150 it would appeal to a lot of N gauge modellers. Amazing the number of Pendraken vehicles and sculpts that end up as static models in N gauge dioramas.
I don't advocate producing models with little sales potential - but will say it has two points in its favour: (1) the current Landrover is the 1980s "Falklands model" and rightly so, and (2) It would fill that post war gap. I am not sure when the Champ displaced the Jeep- but have seen images of the Champ and the Jeep in Korea.
Appears in Jane's "Pride of Fighting Vehicles."
Lands came on line in 49, before the 11000 of the 15000 champs ordered made it into service! The Landry could do 80% of the Champ's role, but as you rightly said, cost half as much, Champs were also a lot more complex to maintain.
They were still being used until 68-9
Cracking little motor! If overly complex and expensive :D
Sadly I can't justify any more toys, but I'd as a "some time, never" purchase I'd love a post war British battlegroup with Champs, Cents etc.
Quote from: toxicpixie on 31 March 2016, 03:55:35 PM
Cracking little motor! If overly complex and expensive :D
Sadly I can't justify any more toys, but I'd as a "some time, never" purchase I'd love a post war British battlegroup with Champs, Cents etc.
Actually -after" the St Andreas invasion" (still awaiting that Revell German landing craft due out April) - my next project is a post war British battlegroup. I have played early Cold War BAOR in 1/300 and loved the mix of WW2 and post war kit. It was also cool to have a decent AFV that could hold its own.
About 90% of gaming is the variety of kit we can stack on the table.
The Austin Champ , Bedford RL, Hippo, and other by Leyland also other nations soft skins are on the Post war lists but not near the top unless ordered by They Who Shall Be OBEYED :D :D
Quote from: mart678 on 31 March 2016, 05:36:42 PM
The Austin Champ , Bedford RL, Hippo, and other by Leyland also other nations soft skins are on the Post war lists but not near the top unless ordered by They Who Shall Be OBEYED :D :D
martin stick them on the list :'( :'( :'( :'(
dave
Quote from: Dave on 31 March 2016, 05:48:46 PM
martin stick them on the list :'( :'( :'( :'(
dave
Would it be a prudent business plan to major on what are the existing popular gaps in the post war/modern market? There is at least one rival company already casting a similar range.
I know for example the Unimog 404 is on most post war wants lists- From a business perspective the it always makes sense to (a) identify the demand and (b) get it on the shelf first. This 'requests thread' is a good way to test what we gamers will buy if it was available.
The list has the Unimog and there are a few variants of these, MAN trucks, DAF trucks Bedford trucks but these will be the ones used by Teeth Arms. I am sure the some one will want a mobile Bath unit or a M.A.S.H I am making Tanks & APC's (so some trucks will appear here as front line units use them) Then Air defence then Artillery then mobile bath units Decontamination units :D :D ETC
Without the field kitchens and ToiletPaperSchlepperCarrier units how will my troops function?!
Messily.
:D :o 8)