A reworking of a WWI era armoured car. Even with the update it was still relegated to service in France’s colonies, though small numbers remained to defend metropolitan France. Armed with a small, ineffective, 37mm anti-tank gun and rear turret machine gun, it was limited to a reconnaissance role.

By 1929, many French armored cars and tanks were outdated, including the White, based on a modified US truck frame. The army developed a prototype by 1931, combining the Laffly LC2 chassis with S&L bodies, still using the “White” name.

Constructed from 7 mm thick rolled steel, it had a Laffly 50 hp gasoline engine and manual transmission. Cooling vents were triple-blind angled, with large access panels for repairs. The crew consisted of a driver and an assistant, armed with a turret featuring a 37 mm Puteaux SA18 gun and a 7.5 mm FM 24/29, with 164 and 5,500 rounds respectively.

Conversions began in 1931, with 60 reconnaissance vehicles ordered. By the late 1930s, many were outdated, with about half sent to colonies.

The first conversions happened in 1931, resulting in an order for 60 vehicles. A second order from 1932 to 1934 called them Laffly 50AM, with AMD standing for “Auto-Mitrailleuse de Découverte” for cavalry use.

By the late thirties, as I said above about half were sent to the colonies, with some supporting the French garrison in Shanghai and serving in Indochina.

By May 1940, 67 were still in service, including 28 to 32 in Algeria and Tunisia, and 13 in Metropolitan France. Not sure if they were used by either side in North Africa, but one can only speculate.

I think these models are from Mad Bob Miniatures, but I am not sure, as I have had them since Adam was a snake charmer.