Introduced as a rigid chassis 6x4 truck, the hippo had the largest engine by Leyland at the time, which was an in line six engines with power output of 72bhp clocking 30mph top speed supported by a four speed gearbox.

[3] In 1934 a new 8 wheeled vehicles was developed on the platform of the hippo called Octopus with same engine but had higher load capacity of 22 tons.

Civilian versions of the vehicles were to be built with same specifications but with higher load carrying capacity.

In 1943, as a result of D-Day preparations, Leyland commenced designing an updated version, the Hippo Mk II.

[6][7] Media related to Leyland Hippo at Wikimedia Commons This truck-related article is a stub.