About White-Laffly AMD 80:
Armored car (1933-34)France - 28 built
DesignThe AMD 80 was characterized by a long wheelbase, and only the rear axle had off-road tires. Its off-road performance, in European conditions, was not amazing, but the vehicle could climb a 40° slope, and cruise at about 80 km/h (50 mph) on the North African roads. The bodywork was conventional, made of 8 mm (0.31 in) plates bolted together to a central frame, with the driving compartment forward and the fighting compartment just behind, with an one-man asymmetric turret housing a 13.2 mm (0.52 in) heavy machine gun, a 7.5 mm (0.29 in) coaxial FM24/29 Fortress type machine gun, and another one at the rear of the turret, firing backwards. There was a small one-piece hatch on top of the turret. Access was granted by two side doors. The driver had sight slits and armoured shutters, and a second one was provided for driving in reverse. Indeed, there were a front & rear driving positions and four gears for each sense, but steering was only applied to the front axle, which required skill to drive backwards at full speed. External storage was provided on the two steps and rear muguards. 28 vehicles were converted in all.
ActionThe Laffly AMD 80 was used initially in the 6th and 8th Regiments of Cuirassiers. In 1937, this model was replaced by Panhard AMD 178 in these units, and the 27 vehicles still in service were sent to French North Africa, joining the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment and the 4th Regiment of Chasseurs d\'Afrique. After the 1940 armistice, they were transferred to the 8th Regiment of Chasseurs d'Afrique, but many returned to the 4th Regiment of Chasseurs d'Afrique for a parade in May 1943, marking the victory and the end of the desert war.
