Canadians!! Now, the object of our project is this Canadian girl: Otter Mark I Light Reconnaissance Car.Otter Mark I Light Reconnaissance CarHistory: The Otter Light Reconnaissance Car (known officially by the British as "Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian GM Mark I") was a light armoured car produced by Canada during the Second World War for British and Commonwealth.Line of five Otters in the winter. The Otter Light Reconnaissance Car (LRC) was developed by General Motors Canada to meet the demand for this type of armoured car. The design followed the layout of the British Humber Mark III LRC.Humber Light Reconnaissance Car Mark III The Otter was based on the Chevrolet C15 Canadian Military Pattern truck chassis and used many standard GM components. Chevrolet C15 CMP truck The Otter was designed in 1942 nd experiments began on a prototype immediately. Although of simple and rugged design, it did not compare as favourably as was hoped. It was considered under-powered, and the driver's visibility was poor, with the visors open or closed.Otter's driver station Despite these shortcomings, General Motors pressed ahead with production. The pilot model had pistol ports, extended turret armour and a different vision port for the driver. After testing, the spare tire mount was repositioned to a less obtrusive location, the pistol ports were omitted and vision ports were changed for production vehicles.Otter turretless. Notice the spare wheel position The armament consisted of a hull-mounted Boys anti-tank rifle and a Bren light machine gun in a small open-topped turret.Otter LRC showing their weapons Although it used a more powerful engine than the Humber, it was larger and heavier (by a ton); overall performance was less than the Humber but still acceptable. Despite its problems, it was a popular vehicle with the troops, mainly because of its reliable mechanical components and its ease of maintenance. Between 1942 and 1945, 1761 units were produced in Oshawa, Ontario, though fewer than 1.000 were delivered overseas. Otter in Athens, Greece - 1943Notice the spare wheel in low position It saw service with the British Army in the latter stages of the North African campaign, and with both the British and Canadian armies. all through the' Italian campaign and in limited numbers in North-West-Europe after D-Day in June 1944.Otter at the gates of Xanten, near of Rhine riverGermany -March, 1945. ln the Canadian Army, it was used by Divisional Reconnaissance Regiments (e.g. the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards in Italy) as well as by Royal Canadian Engineer Field Squadrons and Royal Canadian Army Service Corps Transport Companies. It remained in Canadian service in the early post-war years.Damaged Otters of Princess Louise Dragoon GuardsIn the fields of Italy, 1943.Otter of the 11th Field Company, RCE2nd Canadian Infantry DivisionMay-sur-Orne, France - Oct. 1944.Otter of the 11th Field Company, RCE - 2nd Canadian Infantry DivisionMay-sur-Orne, France - Oct. 1944.See actual pic aboveOtter of the British 23rd Armoured Brigade crossing a Bailey bridge over the Volturno river at GrazzaniseItaly, October 1943 - see color profile belowOtter of the British 23rd Armoured BrigadeVolturno River - Italy, Octuber 1943 It was also employed by