The Saladin Armoured Car By Major Michael Norman, Roya/ Tank RegimentAFV/Weapons Profiles Edited by DUNCAN CROW Check list of published titles: 10 1" 12 13 14 18 16 7 Churchill—British Infantry Tank Mk.1V. byB.T. White PanzerKampfwagen Il by Walter Spielberger ‘Tanks Marks to V by Chis Ellis and Peter Chamberlain Light Tanks M1-M5 (Stuart/Honey) by Chris Elis and Peter Chamberlain Light Tanks Marks I-VI by Major-General N. W. Duncan Valentine—Infantry Tank Mark tit by B.T. White Medium Tanks Mks Ato D by Chris Elis and Peter Chamberlain Crusader—Cruiser Mark VI (includes Cruisers Marks I-VI) by Major J. K. W. Bingham, Royal Tank Reat. Early (British) Armoured Cars by Major-General N. W. Duncan PanzerKampfwagen V Panther by Chris Elis and Peter Chamberlain M3 Medium (Lee/Grant) by Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis Mediums Marks I-III by Major-General N. W. Duncan Ram and Sexton by Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis Carriers by Peter Chamberlain and Duncan Crow PanzerKampfwagen land I by Major-General N. W. Duncan Landing Vehicles Tracked by Colonef Robert J. Icks, USAR Retd. Russian KV and IS by Major Michael Norman, Royal Tank Regt. 18 19 20 2 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 33 34 Chieftain and Leopard (Development) by Major Michael Norman Chieftain and Leopard (Description) by Major Michael Norman Churchill and Sherman Specials by Peter Chamberlain and Chris Elis Armoured Cars—Guy, Daimler, Humber, A.E.C. by BT. White PanzerKampfwagen 38(t) and 35(t) by-John Milsom Soviet Mediums T44, T54, ‘755 and T62 by Major Michael Norman ‘The M48/M60 Series of Main Battle Tanks by Colonel Robert J. Icks ‘Cromwell and Comet by Major Jemes Bingham Hellcat, Long Tom, and Priest. PLUS Complete Check List of All U.S. World War I SPs by Colonel Robert J. Icks Saladin Armoured Car by Major Michael Norman S-Tank by R. M. Ogorkiewiez M4 Medium (Sherman) by Peter Chamberlain and Chnis Ellis Armoured Cars—Marmon- Herrington, Alvis-Strauss- ler, Light Reconnaissance by B.T. White Australian Cruiser- Sentinel; and Australian Matildas by Major James Bingham M6 Heavy and M26 (Pershing) by Colonel Robert J. Icks German Armoured Cars by Major-General N. W. Duncan Scorpion Reconnaissance Tank by RB. M. Ogorkiowicz 35 36 37 38 39 40 a 42 43 46 47 49 British Armoured Recovery Vehicles + Wheels, Tracks and Transporters by Peter Chamberlain and ‘Major-General N. W. Duncan Chars Hotchkiss H35, H39, and Somua S35 by Major James Bingham Russian BT Series by John F. Milsom Conqueror Heavy Gun Tank by Major Michael Norman Panhard Armoured Cars by R. M. Ogorkiowicz U.S. Armored Cars by Cofonel Robert J. leks M103 Heavy Tank + MAiLight Tank (Walker Bulldog) by Cofonel Robert J. leks Modern Swedish Light Armoured Vehicles by R. M. Ogorkiewicz Panzerkampfwagen IV by Walter Spielberger Ferrets and Fox by RM. Ogorkiewicz Light Tanks M22 (Locust) and M24 (Chaffee) by Colonel Robert J. Icks 7-34 by J. M. Brereton and Major Michael Norman PanzerKempfwagen VI- Tiger land Il by Peter Chamberlain and Chris Elis Japanese Medium Tanks by Lieut.-General Tomio Hara, Imperial Japanese Army, Retd. ‘The publishers regret to announce that as from 1st April 1972 all previously published prices and price lists are cancelled, No price increase has been made since August 1970 but due to the wide range of rising costs since that date, the following recommended retail selling price(s) will apply: AFV/Weapons Series 1-42 inclusive 35p each; 43 onwards 40p each. If you have any difficulty in obtaining Profiles from your local book or model shop please write direct to: Mail Order/Subscription Department, PROFILE PUBLICATIONS Ltd, Coburg House, Sheet Street, Windsor, Berks. SL41EBSuladns of A Squadron, The Queen's Ov tusars (CCR BIS) The Saladin Armoured Car by Major Michael Norman, Royal Tank Regiment THE mounting of weapons and armour on a wheeled chassis poses relatively fewer engineering problems than the development of an equivalent tracked vehicle and so it is not unnatural that the introduction of the armoured car preceded that of the tank by several years. The British kept their armoured car forces busy during the inter-war period with a diversity of operations in aid of the civil power, although most of the vehicles were still based on truck designs. Cross-country mobility was usually poor as a result and the development of fast and light tanks—such as the Vickers—tended to eclipse the wheeled vehicle for such tasks as exploitation and reconnaissance. But the Germans and French, among others, were not content with ad hoe conversions and began to develop armoured cars from first principles, with a significant increase in cross-country mobility as, top priority. For example, a German requirement in 1928 led inter alia to the Bussing NAG S4.234 series whose performance in World War It in Western Europe, Russia and North Africa was comparable with the best Tight tanks of the period. The British Army, quickly re-learning the value of armoured cars in mobile operations, used them in increasing numbers during the war. Quite a number of designs saw service, and though most were fairly simple in concept, the superiority of a multi-wheel layout was recognized in the Marmon-Herrington Mark VI and the prototype of the Boathound. One reason for the pro- liferation of designsis reflected in the lassic controversy in armoured car practice: one school prefers to rely on stealth to obtain information and looks for mobility and a low weight and silhouette—at the expense of protection and firepower—while the other accepts that information may have to be fought for and covering operations carried out, with the penalties in size and weight that these rdles entail. Thus, apart from the small scout car, the light armoured car often needed heavier vehicle to provide fire support. An attempt was made in the Coventry, a joint design by Daimler and Humber, to produce single vehicle capable of both roles but the User disliked it because of its indifferent mobility and protection—despite its all-up weight ofChevrole (Us Official pe of the T19 armoured car develop 11-4 tons—and the use of an imported Hercules engine Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Division of General Motors hhad developed the T19 6 x 6 design based on the TISEL heavy armoured car. The T19 had a specially designed six-wheel, independent suspension, but the El version, mounting a 37-mm. gun, was considered to be too heav at 124 tons. The project was developed for the Tank Destroyer Command as the 75-mm. Gun Motor Carriage T66 with an M3 75-mm. gun in an open turret, but this too was dropped The Chevrolet-built T28 (later M38) designed 10 replace the M8 light armoured car (known to the British as the Greyhound) incorporated features from the TI9El, including the layout and the suspension, but the M38 (known to the British as the Wolfhound) never ‘went into production, only a few pre-production vehicles being built for trial purposes. Unfortunately the U.S, Army had by this time (end of 1944) convinced itself that tracks were more efficient and reliable than wheels for reconnaissance tasks, despite the German evidence to the contrary, and with sufficient MBs available to meet all needs no more armoured cars were to enter US. service for some ti Luckily the British User was not persuaded by the American arguments, Having rejected the Coventry for future development it was decided to retain the war-time Daimler in its Mark I version and the heavier AEC The T66 tank destroyer onthe T19 chasis and mounting @ 75mm. gu The similarity to Saladin in enternl layout tastings (OS Ofte) The TIVE! ‘mounib «37-1, high velocity gu (US Onc Mark III pending the arrival of the “Post War Armoured Car”. This had been under consideration for some time and it was significant that the General Staff specification issued in January 1946 stressed the need for “an improv ment in performance over Daimler Mark 2 without materially increasing its dimensions, armour thickness or size of armament”. The British Fighting Vehi Design Department (FVDD) had already evaluated a number of suspension designs but it seems that the one proposed for M38 clearly had the best potential despi the complicated layout and unsolved problems, amor them being the disposition of the differentials and the type of springs to be used. Thus, contrary to the normal trend, an American technique had to g0 to Europe for its successful development and, although a number of important changes were necessary, it seems that the original wheel base, track width and tire size were unchanged. A crew of four was preferred, but three would be acceptable if the extra man entailed dimen- sional or weight penalties, and the original scheme envisaged a three-man turret with a complex contr rotating cupola for the commander. Experience with the well tried 2-pdr. (39-mm) gun led to the demand for an improved version of the same calibre having an armour penetrating performance equivalent to that obtained when firing non-rigid ammunition (APCNR—armour- piercing, composite, non-rigid) through the reducing Early FV 601 prototype ballsted to smut ‘he expected all-up weigh (CCR MVEB)B) ) showing the COR MVE (CCR MVEE)(CCR MVEB)calibredevice knownas the Littlejohn Adaptor. Although the muzzle velocity —and therefore the penetration —-had been increased thereby, it precluded the firing of HE rounds and this was an obvious drawback. The outline design for the “Pipsqueak” was ready by February 1946 and as the APDS (armour-piercing, discarding-sabot) round with a muzzle velocity of 4250 feet/second was expected to be capable of defeating 85-mm. of armour at 30° at 1000 yards (an improvement on the specification} the concept was accepted by the following month, 60 2-pdr. rounds would be stowed in al. FVDD soon saw that it would be impossible to keep the weight of the vehicle down to the seven tons or so of the Daimler—10 tons looked more likely and a 170 b.h.p. engine was proposed with the double aim of providing a reasonable performance for this vehicle as un well as influencing the parallel work on the standardized series of engines for military applications. Protection against attack by the 0-303-in, AP round, a near miss by the 25-pdr. HE round, and the best possible defence against mines was also specified. A later document stressed the need for good performance on soft ground anda smooth ride over all types of terrain, ease of control, a low silhouette, a high reverse speed, optimum vision when closed down, ease of maintenance and a long service life, and a capability for unprepared wading to a depth of 42 inches. A contract for the construction of Wo prototypes to this FV 601 specification was placed with Alvis Ltd. of Coventry in October 1947* FV 601(A) AND FV 601(B) Hardly had work started on FV 601 before the User had. doubts over his choice of gun and by February 1948 he was finally convinced that the HE content of the 2-pdr round was too small. An increase in calibre was clearly “This company, incidentally, had collaborated before the war with Manfred Weiss of Budapest in the development of an lunusual light armoured car (the Alvis-Stranseler) which had four-wheel suspension, driving and steering on all Tour: the top speed was 68 m.p.h., a | in > slope could be climbed and it had a welded hull. ts cross-country performance Was said to be excellent and 12 were supplied to the RAF for use in Palestine and Aden before the war in 1939 brought the partnership to an end,2,038 m snecessary but a suitable replacement was not easy to find. The low weight of the vehicle with its limited turret ring diameter precluded the installation of any of the current or projected AFV guns and it seems that the only design. immediately available was an oldish [Link] (76-mm.) Howitzer which had been used in the Mark 1 Churchill tank and proposed for a close support version of Daimler: but it was too inaccurate. The Armament Design Establishment at Fort Halstead proposed a new design of 76-mm. gun but warned that it would be five years before it could be ready for service. As things iumed out this delay would not have been too serious but arguments over the merits of the various guns avail- able (including the 75-mm. used in the American M24 Chaffee) continued until November 1949 when Pip- squeak was finally abandoned, The first mockup with the 2-pdr. installation (601(A)) hhad been produced in April the previous year but work ‘was now put in hand to build another with the new gun. ‘The turret designers made it clear, however, that the choice of the larger calibre involved the displacement of the third member of the turret crew to allow for the greater swept volume of the gun and the stowage of the larger rounds. The User decided accordingly in April 1949 that the duties in the turret should be divided between two men such that the commander would act as gunner and the other would load (although he would also be able fire the coaxial MG on his own), operate the 5,284 m 2,54mFV 601A) with 2p. Pipsquak radios, as well as use the rear-facing driving controls for hhasty moves in reverse. The commander/gunner now had an elaborate design of contra-rotating cupola to facilitate the acquisition of targets, but although ideal in concept it proved extremely difficult to put into practice. In 1954, following a number of studies by the User and a REME Maintenance Advisory Group, it was decided to remove the rear driving facilities in favour of better access to the engine compartment and stowage for a further eight 76-mm, rounds and more MG ammunition, The vehicle was re-designated FV 601 (B) at this stage. Fv 60) Federal D) variant wil for the Bundesgrenssclot:Kammand in the ‘of Germans Nate. the madied mamtlt with ‘mounted MO (Aisis Lad) Although the two Mark I prototypes ordered from Alvis were delivered by early 1953 it was two years before the six pre-production vehicles were ready. The changes in design that have already been described were partially responsible for the long delays but contributory factors were that FV 603, the Saracen APC, was given a higher priority for reasons to be described later, and some funds \were diverted to the urgent development of FV 214, the Conqueror heavy gun tank. in the early 1950s. Pending the building of new assembiy lines at Coventry the pre- production vehicles were made by Crossley Ltd. at Stockport, although Alvis did most of the detailed drawing and jig construction. The User, meanwhile, had second thoughts on the division of duties between the turret crew and it was decided that the commander should now take over the loading of the 76-mm. while the radio operator doubled as the gunner. This fundamental change in layout involved further serious delays, although the opportunity was taken to simplify the fire control equipment drastic- ally as a result. The 0:50-inch MG for anti-aircraft fire, traversing on a ring above the commander's cupola, was also replaced by a 0:30-inch MG on a simpler mounting during this period. The new internal scheme for the turret together with alterations in hatch design were accepted in June 1956 and production of what was now named Saladin was scheduled for the beginning of 1958. But this too was put back—by a further six months—because of a last-minute increase in the specification for ballistic immunity which entailed rapid changes to the front and sides of the turret, as well as the hull. Saladin Mark 2 (FV 601(C)) finally went into production in mid-1958, nearly 13 years afier its inception: it now remained to see whether it had been worth waiting for(CCR MVE SALADIN MARK TWO DESCRIBED In its general layout Saladin resembles a conventional tank with the driver’s compartment in the front of the hull, the fighting compartment and turret in the centre and the power plant at the rear. The hull, like the turret is constructed from welded armour-steel plate and is boat-shaped in cross-section with an octagonal super- structure which encloses the crew compartment and supports the turret, The driver's hatch is hinged at the bottom, closing being assisted by a torsion spring, and it contains one of his periscopes for driving closed down the other two being one either side in the hull super- structure. An emergency hatch is provided on both sides of the vehicle in the fighting compartment walls and a small flap at the rear of this compartment is the only reminder of the proposed facility for duplicated driving controls, Six interlocking hatches allow access to the top of the engine compartment, the rear plate of the hull hinges down to expose the radiator and there are a number of servicing plates and plugs in the hull floor The driver's compartment is relatively large and the controls and instruments are well positioned. The unusual attitude for the steering wheel is extremely effective in saving space while allowing quick movement in and out of the seat, and this layout is also to be Found in the Daimler Ferret Scout Car. The foot controls are placed conventionally although the clutch is replaced by ubbersed screen mel imental version of Saladin modified to swim by the raising 0 ted inter aa onthe FV 432 APC (vis Lady the gear-change pedal for the semi-automatic trans. mission, the gear selector being on the right hand wall and that for forward/reverse drive on the left. The handbrake is located between the driver's legs, and igh itis applied by a ratchet action, release can be almost instantaneous. The comfortable seat is adjustable in two axes. The electrical distribution panel is mounted on the right of the compartment and contains the master switch to isolate the batteries from the vehicle systems, and the inter-vehicle starting socket. The turret is unsymmetrical in form and fabricated from steeply sloped plate. The commander/loader is positioned on the right, and the gunner/operator on the left, of the turret, their seats being secured to pillars which also carry the turntable, Both crewmen have large, single-plate hatches in the roof which hinge rear- wards. An extractor fan on the left wall prevents the Undesirable concentration of fumes from the turret ‘weapons. ARMAMENT AND AMMUNITION The 76-mm. gun that had been specially designed for this, Vehicle by ADE (now Royal Armament Research and Design Establishment) fires medium-velocity rounds of HESH (high explosive, squash head) to defeat armoured and other hard targets, HE, base-ejection smoke, as well as canister rounds containing about 780 steel pellets for Siundort Saladin Mark 2 modified to carey the BAC Swinglveamtctank GH sistem. Two mises one corr dsstorfie” position om the sides of the arte. and a furthe eucrds Ais Led)7: B Squadron, 3rd Royal Tank Regiment — sign on both sides of turret. (3RTR) 27 to 6 inclusive: Saladin of B Squadron, 3rd Royal Tank Regiment, at Sharjah, Persian Gulf. (3RTR) © Profile Publications Ltd.leaving their vehicle ater ‘round to demonstrate hv the (CRIS) use against massed infantry at short range. The rounds are loaded by the commander and initiated by percussion primers. The gun barrel is a single forging attached to the breech ring by interrupted threads and the breech mechanism consists of a vertically-sliding block which is normally operated semi-automatically. Empty cases are ejected into a bin. ‘The coaxial mounting for the main armament and the 030-in. MG consists of a welded mantlet and a tubular cradle permitting 4 maximum elevation of about 20° and depression of 10° at all positions of the turret. Trunnion, pins are welded on both sides of the mantlet to the rear of which is bolted the outer cylinder of the concentric recoil system, the forward end of which protrudes from the mantlet. The recoil system also acts as the cradle to support the gun which is connected to the recoiling inner cylinder by means ofa screwed locating ring. A section of the outer surface of this cylinder is threaded to receive the piston head, anda single helical run-out spring is held between this and the rear inner face of the outer cylinder Mineral oil absorbs the energy as the clearance between the recoiling piston head and the tapering internal diameter of the outer cylinder reduces towards the rear thus bringing the gun to a smooth halt about 10 inches behind the beating face. The compressed spring returns the gun to the firing position, the final movement being smoothed by means of a hydraulic buffer. During the run-out action the breech is opened automatically, the and Ferrer Scout Cars of 4h Royal Tank Regiment halted for tne Rajon Operation (aemy PR Si ‘hort vest dinOf 4 RTR de (Army PR empty case ejected and the firing mechanism recocked, The anti-rotation gear and the range gear are attached to the mounting. A simple fabricated cradle is bolted to the left rear of the mantlet for the MG which is serviced and loaded by the gunner. Both guns are normally fired electrically, power being supplied via the rotary base junction at the centre of the turntable and the gunner’s control box which incorporates a gun circuit selector lever. A foot pedal operates a mechanical linkage to fire cither gun in the event of a power failure Both commander and gunner have hand traverse controls, and rapid switches are facilitated by the use of an electrically driven torque amplifier in conjunction with a high ratio in the gearbox. The elevating gear operates on the nut and screw principle and is controlled by the gunner. Whereas the original scheme for the fire control equipment involved a somewhat complex arrai for target acquisition, the production version has only a simple blade vane sight, using which the commander aligns the gun in azimuth only. A circle of four periscopes ives a field of view of about 150° forward for general observation and a single instrument faces rearwards in a flexible mounting. The gunner’s periscopic sight is similar in construction to those used in the Centurion 10 Ferret Scout Cats Rstfon Hil Army PR) mt Guards stan and Chieftain tanks: for direct fire with HESH, HE and MG there is a fixed ballistic graticule in an optical system which has a field of view of 11° and a magnifica tion of six times. An observation window above the sighting eyepiece of x1 magnification has a field of view of 42°. The object glass is protected by a hood on the turret roof and incorporates a wiper blade and a demisting element, and the sight itself is secured in mounting which pivots under the turret roof, tangent elevation being transmitted by a link bar connected to the left of the mantlet. Targets which are either beyond the range of the ballistic graticule, or concealed from the gunner, are engaged by setting the range on the drum on the left of the gun cradle and elevating the .2un until the clinometer bubble is level; a similar method to that used in the Chieftain. Line switches are measured by an electrically-operated traverse indicator, the trans- mitter unit being driven off the turret rack forward of the commander with the receiver to the left front of the The secondary armament for Saladin consists of two 030i, design, one being ‘mounted coaxially and the other on a pintle on the turret roof to enable the commander to engage close range airborne and ground targets, although he has tosSaladin of The Queen's On Hussars demonsiates ts ity of crossing a dep and wide gal: (CCR BIS) diver ofa Saladin reverses over a ford. from the commander, the expose the upper part of his body in order to do so. The uns are operated by a gas-assisted recoil and spring action and have a cyclic rate of fire of 425-450 rounds pet minute with ball and trace ammunition. Batteries of six dischargers are mounted one each side of the turret and the electrically fired smoke grenades quickly form a dense screen in an are some 60 yards away. under cover (of which the vehicle can quickly withdraw from trouble. ‘The 42 rounds of 76-mm. ammunition are all stowed vertically in the fighting compartment, 1 ready rounds between the commander and gunner, 23 on the left and right front of the compartment under the turret ring, and the remaining eight at the left rear. Most of the MG rounds are stowed on the turntable. ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION The engine compartment is separated from the fighting compartment by a fire-proof bulkhead. The engine itself is mounted longitudinally and centrally, with a fuel tank on either side and a third at the left hand front, the air ‘cleaners at the left hand front and the twin cooling fans and radiator at the rear of the compartment. The engine is one of the Rolls-Royce series developed for military use and is of conventional design with eight cylinders in line, It is liquid cooled, operates on 80 octane gasoline and develops 160 b.h.p. at 3750 r.p.m. Lubrication is by a dry sump system, the gear-type pump drawing oil from a tank under the radiator and passing it through a full flow filter to the engine. A scavenge pump returns the oil from the sump through a cooler. Air for the sealedcooling system is drawn through louvres in the engine ‘access doors by the two fans, through the radiators and is, expelled through grilles at the extreme rear of the engine decks. Aspiratory air passes through an oil bath filter before reaching the dual down-draught Solex carburetter. Ignition is by a coil system which is water~ roofed and suppressed to avoid radio interference. The main transmission assemblies are under the fighting compartment and are accessible for normal servicing through lifting plates in the turntable. Drive from the engine forward to the gearbox is transmitted by a fluid coupling of Daimler design mounted on the crankshaft, and is completely automatic and smooth in operation. Slip can be 100 per cent with the vehicle static and the engine idling but this decreases to less than 2 per cent at about 1900 r.p.m. The epicyclic gearbox, again, is a Daimler design and provides five speeds in one direction, all of which can be pre-selected. Depres- sion and release of the gear-change pedal engages the gear selected by the driver and gives him the direct control of the transmission that makes for excellent i round with a minimum of effort on his part. The transfer box is mounted on the forward end of the gearbox, transmits torque through right angles to the central bevel boxes, and incorporates a central differential and directional spiral bevel gears to obtain forward, reverse or neutral drive selected by the driver This layout gives the use of all five gears in both direc tions and is a valuable attribute for a reconnaissance vehicle which may have to withdraw very rapidly in an emergency. Four propellor shafts connect the other bevel boxes, one at each wheel station. The road wheels are driven finally through tracta joints, which allow for the vertical movement of the suspension relative to the hull and the steering movement of the front four wheels, to epicyclic reduction in the wheels themselves, Sualedins of The Queen's Saladin of 31d Royal Tank Regiment leaves a desert track 1 ive stowed onthe glacsplae, ne fee SUSPENSION AND STEERING The suspension assembly at each of the six stations consists of an upper and lower link, the former being attached to a longitudinal torsion bar which is splined to a tube secured to the hull. The outer ends of the links re connected to a swivel yoke—in the case of the steered wheels—and a fixed yoke for the rear pair Double acting, hydraulic shock absorbers and bump and Febound dampers are fitted on the front and rear stations, with a simpler arrangement in the centre, About five or six inches upwards and four to five inches down- ward movement are available, Although this design is somewhat complex it is very effective in providing a smooth ride over most types of terrain at speed and a fn Bastern Arabia. coR BisMG. AW LIS) useful performance over obstacles. In addition, up to, {two wheels can be incapacitated providing that they are rot both on the same side and one from the front pair remains. Coupled with the use of “run-flat” tires, damage from enemy fire and mines can be absorbed to an extent which would completely immobilise a tracked vehicle. An hydraulic system is used to assist in steering and to operate the brakes. The pump is driven from the main engine and the system is maintained at between 900 and 1450 Ib/sq. in. the three accumulators being housed at the rear of the fighting compartment. Power assistance for steering is obtained by using hydraulic jacks super- imposed on the linkage on either side and operated by a control valve on the upper steering bevel box. A re. circulating ball layout operates on the front two wheels which are each connected to the wheel behind by a rocking beam. The geometry of this system ensures the correct tracking during turns in that the centre wheels, have to move through a smaller arc than the front ones, Dise brakes are fitted on all six wheels. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Saladin’s electrical circuits are of the nominal negative earth return type operating on 24 volts. The two 12-volt, batteries are positioned in the rear of the fightin; compartment and they are charged by a belt-driven (CCR MVE) generator with a maximum output of mounted on the engine. An automatic, two-speed ge: box ensures that the chai y inereasing the rotational speed of the armature when the engine revolutions drop below a pre-determined level. A boiling vessel to heat food and drink is among the more conventional components in the system A comprehensive system of fire detection and fighting equipment is installed. Flame detectors operate a warn: ing horn in the driver’s compartment and initiate a high pitched noise in the intercommunication system if excessive heat is detected in the engine system. Hand- held extinguishers and a fixed CO, system are provided. ing rate is maintained SALADIN VARIANTS Having been designed for service world-wide the basic Saladin needs comparatively few modifications for a particular theatre of operations. Howes customers have specified a number of changes and these have included sand tires for use in the desert and addi- tional heaters for the crew compartment. The Burdes- grenzschutzKommando, the frontier protection force in the Federal Republic of Germany, were more demandin, and the FV601(D) version has smoke grenade dis- chargers and driving lights of German origin and a smaller mantlet plate as there was no requirement for a jal MG. All Saladins can be modified to mount the British Aircraft Corporation's Swingfire anti-tank missile system, Four missiles are carried, two of which are in the ‘ready” position on the turret and as they have a high chance of a kill to ranges well over 3000 metres the fire- power of Saladin can be greatly enhanced. In addition to its being able to wade to a depth of seven feet with prior preparation Saladin can also be modified to swim after the erection of a bellows type sereen which would be permanently stowed on the perimeter of the hull obtained by the rotation of the road wheels. Research is, also being carried out on the possibility of using some (of the automotive components of the amphibious load carrier, Stalwart, to increase further the agility of the ‘armoured car Propulsion and steering are SARACEN AND ITS DERIVATIVES Although the specification for FV 603 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was issued two years later than, that for Saladin it was in production by December 1952 six years earlier. The reason for the haste—and the consequent delay to the Saladin programme—was the urgent requirement for an armoured vehicle with over head cover to carry men and stores during the Malayan Emergency. Alvis Ltd. were again designated as the design parents. The development was extremely rushed, to the extent that production vehicles were being built at the same time as the prototypes and a number of funda- mental modifications were necessary from July 1951 onwards when the trials began at FVRDE (Fightin Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, now Military Vehicles Experimental Establishment). Major worries involved the suspension and cooling, this last being particularly difficult to solve with a front-mounted engine but equally important for service in the tropics. Better known as Saracen, this APC has subsequentlyseen service in a number of countries and carried the infantry battalion in armoured brigades in the British Amy in Germany until the arrival of the tracked FV 43 In many respects the Saracen chassis is that of a Saladin armoured car running in reverse—the selection of an equal range of gears for forward and reverse running in the transfer box making this possible—and about 48 per cent of all automotive components are common to both vehicles. The APC carries a section of nine men and a vehicle commander, radio operator and driver. Production versions of the Saracen mount the same design of turtet used on the Ferret Mark 2 recon- naissance vehicle armed with a 0:30-in, MG. The yout of the suspension necessitates a boat-shaped hull and the infantrymen have to sit facing inwards in order to make the best use of the internal volume available. although there are small ports in the side armour and a circular hatch in the rear of the roof. Luckily this para meter did not clash with British policy at the time which saw the APC as a means only for carrying infantry to battle where they fought on foot. FV 603 (C), the latest version, and incorporating reverse flow cooling for the «crew and infantry compartment, weighsabout 2,900bs, combat loaded, and is 8 ft. 1 in. highand 17 ft. in, long overall. Most other dimensions, and the performance, are the same or very similar to those for Saladin Even earlier than the APC, a specification for an armoured command vehicle (ACV) had been issued in 1946; but FV 602 appears to have been abandoned by late 1949 without going beyond the conceptual stage. It ‘was partially replaced in November 1949 when a new requirement for twotypes of ACV wasissued: FV 603(B), for useat the unit or sub-unit level, and FV 603 (C), for a ground to air communications centre. The former evolved into FV 604 and, except for the installation of extra radios and stowage bins, an externally mounted generator and changes to the roof, looks similar to the APC. The original FV 603 (C) met a similar fate to FV 602. A further specification was issued in 1956 for a command vehicle with a higher working compartment for use primarily by the Royal Artillery: this was met by FY 610 which, with its extra generating capacity and width, as well as height, has also been used at formation headquarters. Two other versions have been FV 605, an ambulance for four (later three) lying and eight sitting casualties, and one mounting the Decca Robert radar for ground surveillance. Another concept foresiw the F610: 0 1 mee a requiren Ron igs in Germany NICSE standard artillery 25-pdr. gun/howitzer in a mounting having 260° traverse and based on a vehicle from the FY600 series but this got little further than the drawing board ‘Two other vehicles from the Alvis stable must also be mentioned. FV 622, Stalwart, was conceived as a private venture in 1960 asa high mobility load carrier. The need for such a vehicle was recognized officially by the British army and the first squadron of the Royal Corps of Transport was so equipped in 1964, Stalwart can carry up to five tons of stores and its mobility across country is comparable to that of a tracked vehicle, Its, excellent performance here and when swimming water obstacles, including the open sea, powered by Dowty marine jet units, and its agility in entering and leaving the water are further tributes to the design of the suspension which owes much to experience with the earlier Vehicles in the FV 600 series. The basic vehicle can be adapted for many other roles, including troop carrying, vehicle recovery and missile launching, The second is FV 652 Salamander, an airfield fire and crash tender, again whose excellent mobility enables it rapidly to reach crashes which often occur beyond the perimeter of an airfield TACTICAL EMPLOYMENT The first Saladins entered service in 1959 and were an immediate success. The British Army has used them subsequently on operations in Malaysia and the Arabian Peninsula and they are also deployed in the Strategic Command in the United Kingdom, Germany and Hon; Kong. At least fourteen other countries have also adopted Saladin, among them being Jordan, Indonesia, Ghana and the Sudan. The primary task for a British armoured car regiment is the speedy collection of accurate information and the employment of Saladin depends on a number of inter- related factors: mobility, protection, communications and firepower. In the first instance Saladin hasa high road speed and makes little more noise than a truck of ‘equivalent size, a most important consideration when stealth often has to make up for comparatively light protection. Its light weight also permits use in countries where roads and bridgesare unable to bear the weight and damage caused by a tracked vehicle. Although the cross: country performance of even a multi-wheeled vehicle cannot always be as good as that of one on tracks.Alvis ie a terms of radius mplemented by excellent communica flexibility nnaissance. Asinfor quickly—often over value, the ability to prime importance in this ofa light tank, and it can b always be at the exper mine clearance, dismounted prot troop and the manning of observati m the squadron miles from regi- will be medium, contact this mayAs contact may be made initially with the enemy's own screening forces the skilful use of ground and some skirmishing may be necessary in order to establish the position of his main elements. A troop may also be required 10 form part of a surveillance sereen in static conditions. Should nuclear weapons be used a troop may be ordered forward to report on the effect of strikes and carry out surveys of the residual radiation, Withdrawals, could also see the troop being used as part of a delaying force. fighting probably taking priority over observation, nd with artillery and engineers in support. Other roles include guarding the flanks of an advance, countering airborne attacks or enemy helicopters, escorting. vital stores or VIPs, the establishment of control posts during the move of a formation and, possibly. independent raids deep into enemy held territory. But all these other tasks, (some of which apply to other types of warfare) must be reconciled with the primary aim of reconnaissance. adins have also been used very successfully in counter-insurgency operations where it has been either Physically impossible or politically inadvisable to use other weapons. They were so used in the Arabian Peninsula for direct fire support in the Radfan operation, and in Borneo where they often fired in the indirect role as artillery. Armoured cars are also valuable in internal security missions for such tasks as showing the flag or enforcing curfew restrictions, as wellas the establishment of traffic controls and supplementing communication networks. FV 022 Stabeart moving at speed across county (Wbvis Lud The armoured car is an essential element in all forms of war, rom general nuclear to combatting a handful of insurgents, Yet if the former is unlikely, minor conflicts fare not, and there is no sign of their becoming less frequent. In spite of its somewhat traumatic develop- ment Saladin has proved to be a most successful design under these conditions and its future in many countries AFV Series Editor OUTLINE SPECIFICATION FOR SALADIN ARMOURED ‘CAR MARK 2 (FV 601 (C)) : DUNCAN CROW Dimensions Congtn overt 17 fe ns Lng ot hel over 16 fe 2 ne ‘ncstbose 10 8.0 ns, (Wheels spaced equally) Wath overa Bi bine Height to top of hu 5H tine Hight overt (lass Comd. MG) 74 10 Srouna cesrance Th Sine Total bas: 23072 Ibs. (Mark 1: 19378 ts) grore 25,896 be. (istbutad. ont 7280 tb ont — 8848 I Armament Jécmm. Gun LEAT and Coaxial Mounting No. 2 Mark 3 Gomtength overs 86-2 Inn, Caliber Bins Brooch mechanism: vertical siding Block with semi-automatic five ond_praction HESH (must vslociy 41760" teotr0c. aparox). HE” Canisar and Smoke. Total stowage for 42 rounds percussion oparated by "solenoid or frochanicaly Fycorapring| with one low pressure cine! ‘mounted concentrealy en barrel Length ef Feo! approx 10 in Elevation: plus 20° to minus 10", Nut and screw, hand 380" Nand operation with power assistance Fixed ammunition: Recall syst LAS, L316 or Browning M191944 Machine-Gune Mountings ‘ote coaxial with 76 mm and one ontop ght ‘of trot root can" be Tied from round mounting) Calbr: 301m (762 mm) Lonath overt 32 na Wont 3h ios Bperation ‘Weoll and spring with as assistanceTota stowage of 3500 rounds (1 boxes) ‘Ancillary Weapons 50 grenades, including 12 smoke for grenade dischargers Storing SMG with stowage for 160 rounds. Fire Control and Observation Equipment Max bhp. atfinahest (nat): 198 at 3 Mav torgueat fives (et): 257 fof at 1.250 «pm. Bore 88:9 mm Stroke naam. Capaciy 57 lives Compression ratio Ba apactty—7'3 imp galls, Fuel systom mechanical daphragm type pump with down-craught ‘caroureter” Capaciy— 53 imp. gals, Tevorse soloctd on ranter box (vara ratoe (engine to rood hela) via transfer Box (2-481), bevel box (100"1) and hub reduction goarbox (41257 Max spend tmp} sin 10054 4 enerator, extra stowage bins, and changes 0 (CCR MVEE Max. active etfor: 5th gear 135 Ib jton 4s per: 1,400 ion steering fecieulting bal ycraulicalyassistes Suspension {ully independent with torsion bars and Whee 188.0020 ne dvided dsc. ‘ie average on ade -20 mph. Max, gradient Benegal ‘Average range of operation’ roadr—260 mies cross county 28 mpg. Bie Bins (ies ‘ 25 mph. propelled by road wheels Verte! sep Th Bins Angle of it 4 Protection Front 32 mm at 15° Sides and rer: 16 mm vertical Root som Hu ‘lacie: 2 mm. a 49° Electrical Equipment and Radio Supply ‘One C 13 and one B47 transceiver constitutes » typical BishAFV/Weanons Profiles Edited by DUNCAN CROW FORTHCOMING TITLES: 45 Vickers Main Battle Tank (publication delayed), 50 Swiss Battle Tanks Prototypes of the Pz 61, the Swiss Army's Main. Battle Tank, were built in 1958 and 1959 and. pre-production vehicles with a 90mm gun appeared in 1961: they were designated. Pz 58, The Pz 58 was then equipped with a. 105mm gun and went into production as the bz. 61. The Pz 68 is a further development. The Profile also includes an, account of Swiss tanks since World War I. BY R, M. OGORKIEWICZ, 51 The Abbot The Abbot (FV 433 105mm Field Antllery Self-Propelled) is the first British gun designed specifically for the self- propelled role, It was produced to replace the 25pdr field Bun and went into troop service in 1965 when the first regiment to be equipped with it was the 3rd Royal Horse Artillery. This Profile by cupistopHier F. ross also includes, the Value Engineered Abbot and the Falcon Anti-Aircraft System, 52 M47 Patton by Colonel Robert J. loks The tank that mised Kores. M25 MAS ¥ yea7 yg 742 53 FV 432 by Christopher F. Foss ‘The British Army's APC developed from the earlier FV420 series, originally called Trojan, FUTURE TITLES WILL INCLUDE: Japanese Light Tanks by Lieut.-General Tomio Hara Including combat cars and tankettes (to 1945). sile Armed Vehicles by R. M. Ogorkiewicz From the earliest installation of the pioneer French Si through various French, British, German and Sovict applications to the Ametican vehicles armed with gun cum-missile launchers, ie, M551 Sheridan, M60ATEI, and MBT-70/XM803, German Self-Propelled Weapons by Peter Chamberlain An illustrated guide to all the SP weapons used by the Germans in World War TT. French Infantry Tanks, Part | by Major James Bingham French Infantry Tanks, Part If by Major James Bingham Having described the tanks used by the French cavalry in. AFV/Weapons 36 Major Bingham, in these two Profiles, Tow examines in equal detail the tanks used by the French infantry from 1919 to 1940, SdKfz 250 and 251 by Walter Spielberger and P. Chamberlain German half-track vehicles of World War I, Armoured Personnel Carriers by Major-General N. W. Duncan ‘Their development and use in different armies, The Twenty-Five Pounder by Colonel Farrerly, R.A. ‘The history of the British Army's famous field gun, Commando and Twister Armored Cars by Chuistopher F. Foss ‘The multi-mission Commando and the revolutionary Lockheed Twister XM-808. AMX-30 by R. M. Ogorkiewicz France's Main Battle Tank. French Armoured Cars by Major James Bingham ‘Thestory of French armoured cars from before World War until the end of World War II. PT-76 by Christopher F. Foss ‘The Russian amphibious light tank and its many variants, ‘The publishers reserve the right to alter sequence of list without notice. The publishers regret to announce that as from 1st April 1972 al previoush ublished prices and price lists are cancelled. No price increase has been made since August 1970 but due to the wide range of rising costs since that date, the following recommended retail selling price(s) will apply: AFV/Weapons Series 1-42 inclusive 35p each: 43 onwards 40p each, IF you have any difficulty in obtaining Profiles from your local book or model shop please write direct to: Mail Order/Subscription Department, PROFILE PUBLICATIONS Ltd, Coburg House, Sheet Street, Windsor, Berks. SL41EBPe Mar} A eee Armoured Fighting Vehicles in Profile Volume 4 American AFVs of World War II Contents Once again Duncan Crow has produced along with his PART 1 team of leading tank specialists and Profile artists an Fighty-Eight Thousand to. Come ‘excellent volume in the AFVs of the World Series. Light Tanks MI-M5 T3 Christie : ‘M3 Medium (Lee/Grant) In addition to the comprehensive coverage of the M4 Medium (Sherman) ‘AEVs, the editor has researched and recorded the ‘The M6 Heavy and M26 Pershing complex details of the U.S. Armor-Cavalry 1917-67. M22 Locust Light Tank This is another unique record — supported by 4 pages M24 Chaffee Light Tank in full colour of the regimental badges. This superb Helleat, Long Tom and Priest collection of Coats of Arms and unit badges has rarely Complete Checklist of All U.S. World been seen outside the U.S, War II Self-Propelled Weapons M3 Half-Track APC Landing Vehicles Tracked 312 pages with 28 in full colour, contains over 100,000 U.S. Armored Cars words, 500 photos, and 2 indices. Case bound. Colour M103 Heavy Tank Jacket. Size 10 x 74 in. Price £6:00 (plus 25p P & P). ‘MAI Light Tank (Walker Bulldog) ‘M47 Patton Index PART 2 United States Armored Organization (1917-1967) Index ISBN 0 85383 003 7 Available from your local bookshop or model shop. In case of difficulty order direct from Profile Publications Limited. ‘AF Prfilaandits contents are copyright© Profle Publications Limited, Coburg House Sheet Street, Windsor, Barkshire, England Printed in England by Mears Coldwell Hacker Limited, London R November 1972,