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LVT-4 ‘Buffalo’
The LVT-4 was designed in 1943 and based on the previous LVT-2, and was the first to feature a stern ramp for the loading and  unloading of personnel and cargo. It was also the most numerous of the LVTs during the World War Two with over 8,300 being built between1943 and 1945. The rear ramp alone was a remarkable step forward, essentially dictated by early battle reports over casualties during troop landings. The vehicle was completely remodelled around this feature, with the engine relocated from the rear to behind the driver’s cab. This allowed a larger cargo area and created enough space to
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 16.5 tons Dimensions: Length 26 ft 1 ins, Width 10 ft 8 ins, Height 8 ft 7 ins Powerplant: 1 x Continental 250 hp radial engine Performance: Maximum speed 20 mph, Range 150 miles  Armament: 1 x 20 mm cannon, 3 x 7.62 mm machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 13 mm Crew: 2  •  Payload: 9,000 lb or 18 fully equipped troops
accommodate up to 30 troops and also eased loading and provided better protection to landing forces. The track were fitted with grousers which propelled the vehicle both on land and water. The LVT-4 was first used by the Americans in the Pacific in the summer of 1944 during the landings on Saipan in June, and Guam and Tinian in July. The British received 500 under Lend-Lease who replaced the 0.5 inch machine gun with a 20 mm Polsten cannon, and with Canadian forces the LTV-4 played an important part during the Battle of the Scheldte and the fighting on Walcheren Island in October 1944.
Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 8,300+
Skink Anti-Aircraft Tank
The development of a fully enclosed quadruple 20 mm mount on the chassis of the Grizzly tank, (the Canadian built version of the M4A1 Sherman tank) was approved by the Canadian Army in March, 1943, and given the name Skink, Ontario's only lizard. Originally it was planned to arm the Skink with four 20 mm Hispano-Suiza cannons, but in January 1944 it was decided to use British 20 mm Polsten gun which required a redesign of the turret. This was completed in April, but had delayed the project by 3 to 4 months, while 21st Army Group's reduction in the number of AA guns it required was drastically reduced,
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 28.5 tons Dimensions: Length 19 ft 1 ins, Width 8 ft 7 ins, Height 9 ft 10 ins Powerplant: 1 x 350 hp Continental radial petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 24 mph, Range120 miles Armament: 4 x 20 mm Polsten cannons Armour: Maximum 50 mm Crew: 4
while the threat from the Luftwaffe had dwindled to almost nothing in late July 1944, with the Allies enjoying absolute air superiotity over North West Europe. As there was no longer a requirement for self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, the Skink contract was cancelled in mid August after only three complete vehicles and eight turret kits had been completed. In February and March 1945 the Skink was trialled in Europe and often used against German ground targets where Canadian forces found it a valuable asset, although no enemy aircraft presented itself to the Skink's guns, its main purpose for existence.
Country of Origin: Canada Number Built: 3
Crusader III, AA Mk I
With the A15 Crusader tank being phased out of front line service from late 1943, a source of chassis became available that could be used for other purposes. With the larger size of the Crusader compared to previous withdrawn tanks, a larger weapon could be mounted, and trials were soon carried out to mount an anti-aircraft gun on redundant vehicles. The first was the Crusader AA Mk I, which was a simple conversion in which the turret was replaced replaced with a 40mm Bofors Anti- Aircraft gun, complete with its field mount and shield, and it was in this form that they mainly served in Europe after the D-
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 19.3 tons Dimensions: Length 19 ft 7 ins, Width 9 ft 1 ins, Height 7 ft 4 ins Powerplant: 1 x Nuffield 340 hp V12 Liberty engine Performance: Maximum speed 27 mph, Range 125 miles  Armament: 1 x 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun, 1 x 7.62 mm mg Armour: Maximum thickness 51 mm Crew: 4
Day landings in June 1944. Later modifications to the Mk I incorporated an autoloader and powered mounting, the gun being mounted in a light armoured turret. The Crusader AA Mk II had a fully enclosed turret which was armed with a twin 20 mm Oerlikon cannon mount. The Crusader AA Mk III was similar to the Mk II, the changes being primarily the internal layout of the turret. By the time they arrived in Europe the need for such vehicles was negligible due to overwhelming Allied air superiority, and were mainly used for the defence of airfields, storage facilities and communication centres.
Country of Origin: UK Number Built: Unknown
Mk IX Infantry Carrier
During the first actions of World War One involving tanks, it became clear that the infantry had difficulty in keeping pace, not because the soldiers were too slow, as the early tanks themselves could only move at a walking pace, but because of enemy machine gun fire. Positions gained at high cost would be lost for lack of infantry to consolidate the area. In mid 1917 a specification for an armoured vehicle to transport troops was issued. Initially the vehicle was requested to be capable of being fitted with sponsons, so it could be turned into a tank, but this was soon dropped, and what emerged was the worlds
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 26.5 tons   Dimensions: Length 31 ft 11 ins, Width 8 ft 3 ins, Height 8 ft 8 ins Powerplant: 1 x 150 hp Ricardo petrol engine   Performance: Maximum speed 4 mph, Range 20 miles  Armament: 2 x 7.7 mm machine guns  Armour: Maximum thickness 10 mm Crew: 4  •  Payload: 30 troops or 10  tons of stores
first true Armoured Personnel Carrier. As there was no time for a completely new design, the Mark IX was based on the Mark V, with the hull lengthened to 31 ft 10 inches. An inner space 13 ft long by 8 ft wide was created which was enough room for thirty soldiers or ten tons of cargo. Two prototypes were built which was followed by an order for 200 in early 1918, but production difficulties meant that the first Mk IX did not reach France until October 1918. They appeared too late to be used in World War One and after the Armistice was signed in November the order for the remaining vehicles was cancelled.
Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 34
Ram ‘Kangeroo’
In July 1944 during the fighting shortly after D-Day, the First Canadian Army became concerned about manpower shortages due to combat losses. Along with the British, Canadian forces had received a number of American M3 Half-track APCs, but the needs of the American army heavily reduced the supply of the vehicles to their allies. A number of different types of armoured vehicles were available in the U.K. for conversion into an APC, which included Ram tanks, with the ‘Ram Kangaroo’ being one such development. The turret and ammunition storage was removed and bench seats fitted
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 24.5 tons Dimensions: Length 9 ft, Width 9 ft 10 ins, Height 8 ft 9 ins Powerplant: 1 x Continental 400 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 25 mph, Range 145 miles  Armament: 1 x 0.30 inch or 1 x 0.50 inch machine gun  Armour: Maximum thickness 87 mm Crew: 2 + 11 troops
within the hull, the now exposed turret ring being the main way the troops embarked and disembark from the vehicle. They were designed to carry 11 fully equipped troops, but it was common practice to cram as many as possible inside , while others would ride on the outside. The crew of two were located in a separate compartment, the second crew member operating the  hull machine gun which could be supplemented by another mounted on the turret ring . The Ram Kangaroo  were first used during the assault of Le Havre in September, and remained in use with Allied forces well after the war.
Country of Origin: Canada Number Produced: 500+
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Vickers Light Tank AA Mk I/II
The effect of German air power in France and the Low Countries during May 1940 led to the hasty development of AA tanks to counter this threat. In late 1949 a number of Mk VIA and VIB light tanks were soon modified to mount a small turret fitted with four 7.92 mm Besa machine guns in tandem. Four of these  tanks would then be attached to the regimental HQ squadron of each British armored regiment for air defence. The early model was designated Light Tank AA Mk I which was based on the chassis of  a Vickers Light Tank Mk VIA chassis. This was soon superceded by the Light Tank Mk II which was
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 4.8 tons Dimensions: Length 13 ft, Width 6 ft 10 ins, Height 7 ft 4 ins Powerplant: 1 x Meadows 88 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 32 mph, Range 125 miles  Armament: 4 x 7.92 mm Besa machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 12 mm Crew: 2
based on the VIB Chassis. The vehicles had a crew of two and were fitted with a redesigned turret that had a mount for four 7.92 mm Besa machine guns or two 15 mm Besa heavy machine-guns. The early vehicles had manual traverse for the turret which limited the speed and effectiveness of the system, but with the Mk II power traverse for the turret was installed, while improvements to the turret included a better sighting arrangement and extra stowage space in the rear. They were first used operationally in North Africa. Production numbers of these vehicles is unknown and ended in early 1941.
Country of Origin: UK Number Built: Unknown
3.7 cm Flakpanzer IV Mobelwagen
In the spring of 1943 a Flakpanzer was designed using the chassis of the Panzer IV medium tank. Originally the vehicle was designed to be armed with a twin 3.7 cm AA mount in a protected housing, but Instead a much simpler version was produced using existing gun mounts on a standard Panzer IV Ausf H or J hull, the gun being protected with 10 mm hinged armoured flaps. Known as the Flakpanzer IV Mobelwagen, they looked useful, but in operation were severely handicapped as the armoured flaps had to be lowered flat to give a clear traverse for the armament and sufficient working space for the
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 24 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft 9 ins, Width 9 ft 5 ins, Height 8 ft 10 ins Powerplant: 1 x Maybach 300 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 24 mph, Range 125 miles  Armament: 1 x 3.7 cm Flak 43 AA gun Armour: Maximum thickness 80 mm Crew: 6
gun crew leaving them totally unprotected. With the flaps raised, the Mobelwagen had a high silhouette which made it hard to conceal. 240 were produced which used two different gun mounts, one version having the 2 cm Flakvierling 38 quadruple mount, while the other had a single 3.7 cm Flak 43. The Möbelwagen entered service in the autumn 1943 and were issued to the AA platoons of tank regiments until the end of 1944. The shortcomings of the design were well known by the military, and by December 1943 a replacement design was approved with a fully traversing armoured gun housing.
Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 240
2 cm Flakpanzer IV Mobelwagen
In the spring of 1943 a Flakpanzer was designed using the chassis of the Panzer IV medium tank. Originally the vehicle was designed to be armed with a twin 3.7 cm AA mount in a protected housing, but Instead a much simpler version was produced using existing gun mounts on a standard Panzer IV Ausf H or J hull, the gun being protected with 10 mm hinged armoured flaps. Known as the Flakpanzer IV Mobelwagen, they looked useful, but in operation were severely handicapped as the armoured flaps had to be lowered flat to give a clear traverse for the armament and sufficient working space for the
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 24 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft 9 ins, Width 9 ft 5 ins, Height 8 ft 10 ins Powerplant: 1 x Maybach 300 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 24 mph, Range 125 miles  Armament: 1 x 2 cm Flakvierling quadruple mount Armour: Maximum thickness 80 mm Crew: 6
gun crew leaving them totally unprotected. With the flaps raised, the Mobelwagen had a high silhouette which made it hard to conceal. 240 were produced which used two different gun mounts, one version having the 2 cm Flakvierling 38 quadruple mount, while the other had a single 3,7 cm Flak 43. The Möbelwagen entered service in the autumn 1943 and were issued to the AA platoons of tank regiments until the end of 1944. The shortcomings of the design were well known by the military, and by December 1943 a replacement design was approved with a fully traversing armoured gun housing.
Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 240
3.7 cm Flakpanzer IV Mobelwagen
In the spring of 1943 a Flakpanzer was designed using the chassis of the Panzer IV medium tank. Originally the vehicle was designed to be armed with a twin 3.7 cm AA mount in a protected housing, but Instead a much simpler version was produced using existing gun mounts on a standard Panzer IV Ausf H or J hull, the gun being protected with 10 mm hinged armoured flaps. Known as the Flakpanzer IV Mobelwagen, they looked useful, but in operation were severely handicapped as the armoured flaps had to be lowered flat to give a clear traverse for the armament and sufficient working space for the
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 24 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft 9 ins, Width 9 ft 5 ins, Height 8 ft 10 ins Powerplant: 1 x Maybach 300 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 24 mph, Range 125 miles  Armament: 1 x 3.7 cm Flak 43 AA gun Armour: Maximum thickness 80 mm Crew: 6
gun crew leaving them totally unprotected. With the flaps raised, the Mobelwagen had a high silhouette which made it hard to conceal. 240 were produced which used two different gun mounts, one version having the 2 cm Flakvierling 38 quadruple mount, while the other had a single 3,7 cm Flak 43. The Möbelwagen entered service in the autumn 1943 and were issued to the AA platoons of tank regiments until the end of 1944. The shortcomings of the design were well known by the military, and by December 1943 a replacement design was approved with a fully traversing armoured gun housing.
Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 240
Falcon Anti-Aircraft Vehicle
Developed in the late-1960s, the ‘Falcon’ was a Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) system based on the hull of the ‘Abbot’ self-propelled gun.  A new two man powered turret was designed that was armed with two stabilised 30 mm Hispano Suiza auto-cannons which had a rate of fire of 1,300 rounds per minute and a range of 10,000 ft. To ease logistics they used the same ammunition as the British built 30 mm Rarden cannon that was used on the Scimitar and Fox light armoured vehicles. The Falcon was designed with a crew of three, the commander, gunner, and driver, and was primarily intended to
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 16.3 tons Dimensions: Length 20 ft, Width 8 ft 6 ins, Height 8 ft 2 ins Powerplant: 1 x 1 x Rolls-Royce 240 hp multi-fuel engine Performance: Maximum speed 29 mph, Range 300 miles Armament: 2 x 30 mm Hispano Suiza auto-cannons Armour: Maximum 12 mm Crew: 3
combat aircraft over the battlefield, although it was highly effective against lightly armoured vehicles. A prototype was produced in the early 1970s and extensively trialled, and although these proved successful the vehicle did not receive favourable opinions from military officials. The main reason for this was largely due to a rather small ammunition capacity the vehicle could carry. This was due to the cramped nature of the hull, and in action would have required support vehicles to keep the Falcon operational, while the lack of a radar guidance system for the guns led the the termination of the project.
Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 1
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M9 Halftrack Personnel Carrier
The development of the American halftrack started in the 1920s, when a number of Citroen-Kegresse halftracks were purchased from France. The U.S. military put into effect a long series of development models before the hull of the White Scout Car M2 was mated with a Kegresse halftrack suspension which emerged as the Half-Track Car M2 that was put into production in early 1941. From then on halftracks rolled off the assembly lines in their thousands, most being personnel carriers for the infantry, but the vehicle was adapted for a multitude of roles and all manner of experimental types. After
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 8.4 tons Dimensions: Length 20 ft 7 ins, Width 7 ft 3 ins, Height 7 ft 5 ins Powerplant: 1 x International Harvester 141 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 42 mph, Range 125 miles  Armament: 1 x 0.5 inch and 2 x 0.30 inch machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 16 mm Crew: 3 + 10 fully equipped troops
the U.S. entered the war in December 1941, the urgent need for mobile artillery saw many halftrack being armed with a wide variety of weapons such as the 57 mm anti-tank gun, a 75 mm field gun, and even a 105 mm howitzer. Later developments were anti-aircraft versions armed with multiple machine-guns, 20 mm cannon and 40 mm Bofors guns. It was however as a personnel carrier that were the mostly used. The design was developed throughout World War Two, with total production of all types being over 76,000 vehicles, and were used by most allied nations and continued in service for many years.
Country of Origin: USA Number Produced: 3,500
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Flakpanzerwagen I Ausf A
During the French Campaign in 1940, it became clear to the High Command of the German Army that their motorised Flak vehicles were insufficiently armoured. As a consequence it was decided to combine light anti-aircraft guns with tank chassis, and the obvious choice for conversion was the Panzer I. Parts of the superstructure were removed and the engine compart- ment rearranged to provide standing room, while flaps on the side folded down to provide extra space for the crew when in action. They were armed with the 20 mm Flak 38, ammunition being stored inside the vehicle plus a towed trailer with further
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 5.7 tons Dimensions: Length 13 ft 2 ins, Width 6 ft 8 ins, Height 5 ft 6 ins Powerplant: 1 x Krupp M 305 59 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 38 mph, Range 170 miles Armament: 1 x 20 mm Flak 38 gun Armour: Maximum thickness 13 mm  Crew: 4
ammunition and replacement barrels. High development costs limited the construction to just 24 vehicles which were assigned to Flak Battalion 614 that was formed in 1941. The unit took part in the invasion of Russia in the south, but the Flakpanzer I proved to be of little use against aircraft as the gun only had a limited traverse mount. Instead they were often used against ground targets in support of other units, but with the vehicles insufficient protection for the crew they suffered high losses. The battalion was finally wiped out in 1943 at Stalingrad, by which time the vehicles had probably already been destroyed.
Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 24
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Flakpanzer 38(t)
The Flakpanzer 38(t) was based on the chassis of the pre-war Czech LT vz 38 light tank which was produced for the German Army as the Panzer 38(t) following the German occupation. By early 1943 the light tank was no longer an effective weapon, but the chassis and running gear was reliable and capable of adaptation for other uses, one of these being the Flakpanzer 38(t). The Ausf M chassis was used but the engine was moved to the middle so that the armament could be placed to the rear of the vehicle in an armoured compartment, the sides of which could fold down to allow 360 degree traverse at low
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 9.65 tons Dimensions: Length 15 ft 1 in, Width 7 ft 1 ins, Height 7 ft 5 ins Powerplant: 1 x 147 hp Praga petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 26 mph, Range 130 miles Armament: 1 x 20 mm Flak 38 gun Armour: Maximum 15 mm Crew: 4
elevation. Between November 1943 and February 1944 141 were built which included the prototype, which entered service in the spring of 1944. The Flakpanzer 38(t) was intended to be issued to the anti-aircraft platoon of each tank battalion in a Panzer division, most vehicles being issued to Panzer Divisions in the west, the remainder being issued to units on the Eastern Front. By 1944 the single 2 cm FlaK gun was no longer an effective anti-aircraft weapon, but as its folding superstructure allowed a very low elevation the Flakpanzer 38(t) was often used against enemy infantry and other ground targets.
Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 141
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2 cm Flakpanzer IV Mobelwagen
In the spring of 1943 a Flakpanzer was designed using the chassis of the Panzer IV medium tank. Originally the vehicle was designed to be armed with a twin 3.7 cm AA mount in a protected housing, but Instead a much simpler version was produced using existing gun mounts on a standard Panzer IV Ausf H or J hull, the gun being protected with 10 mm hinged armoured flaps. Known as the Flakpanzer IV Mobelwagen, they looked useful, but in operation were severely handicapped as the armoured flaps had to be lowered flat to give a clear traverse for the armament and sufficient working space for the
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 24 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft 9 ins, Width 9 ft 5 ins, Height 8 ft 10 ins Powerplant: 1 x Maybach 300 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 24 mph, Range 125 miles  Armament: 1 x 2 cm Flakvierling quadruple mount Armour: Maximum thickness 80 mm Crew: 6
gun crew leaving them totally unprotected. With the flaps raised, the Mobelwagen had a high silhouette which made it hard to conceal. 240 were produced which used two different gun mounts, one version having the 2 cm Flakvierling 38 quadruple mount, while the other had a single 3,7 cm Flak 43. The Möbelwagen entered service in the autumn 1943 and were issued to the AA platoons of tank regiments until the end of 1944. The shortcomings of the design were well known by the military, and by December 1943 a replacement design was approved with a fully traversing armoured gun housing.
Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 240
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M44 Gun Motor Carriage
In the early 1950s, experience in Korea led to the U.S. Army wanting to replace the M41 155 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage with an improved version better suited to the conditions. Design of the new vehicle commenced and was based on the recently introduced M41 Walker Bulldog light tank, giving the vehicle good mobility. The gun was a version of the M114 howitzer that had been introduced in 1942, and was mounted in an enclosed armoured gun house that gave the crew better protection, while a spade was provided at the rear of the vehicle that could be positioned in the ground to stabilise the
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 25.9 tons Dimensions: Length 24 ft 3 ins, Width 10 ft 8 ins, Height 10 ft 7 ins Powerplant: 1 x Continental 500 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 35 mph, Range 76 miles  Armament: 1 x 155 mm M80 Howitzer, 1 x 0.5 inch machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 12 mm Crew: 5
vehicle when the gun was fired.  The same chassis, running gear and engine of the M41 light tank was used which gave the M44 a speed of 35 mph over good surfaces. Due to the Korean situation the vehicle was rushed into production before trials had been completed, but this was halted after 250 had been built when it was realised that the enclosed design allowed the build up of dangerous gasses when the gun was fired. This was solved by removing the roof, but left the crew exposed to the elements and the dangers of the battlefield. From 1963 onwards they replaced by the M109 self-propelled gun.
Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 250
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FV433 ‘Abbott’ Self-Propelled Gun In the early 1950s NATO forces fielded a wide variety of Self Propelled Guns of varying calibres which made logistics and resupply difficult. To solve this problem NATO began to issue Standardisation Agreements to provide common operational logistics and administrative procedures so member nations could use the stores and support of another in the event of an emergency. For medium artillery and self-propelled guns, the calibre was to be 105 mm, which at the time the British army had no such weapons. A new gun was developed which became the QF 105 mm L13 gun which fired standard NATO S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 16.56 tons Dimensions: Length 20 ft, Width 8 ft 6 ins, Height 8 ft 2 ins Powerplant: 1 x 1 x Rolls-Royce 240 hp multi-fuel engine Performance: Maximum speed 29 mph, Range 300 miles Armament: 1 x 105 mm L13A1 gun Armour: Maximum 12 mm Crew: 6 ammunition, along with a range of ammunition that had been developed in the UK. A new vehicle was required for a self-propelled gun, so to save time it was based on the chassis and engine of the FV430 series of armoured vehicles which was fitted with a fully enclosed and rotating turret fitted to the rear of the vehicle. Known as the FV433 ‘Abbot’, the prototype was ready in 1961 and soon accepted for production, the first vehicles entering service with the British Army in 1965. In British service the Abbot was phased out and replaced by the AS-90 self-propelled gun in the mid 1990s. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 226 S E L F - P R O P E L L E D G U N AS90 155 mm Self-Propelled Gun The AS90 can trace its roots back to a private venture by the Armaments Division of Vickers for a 155 mm gun turret called the GBT 155 in 1981. Vickers had previously been employed as a subcontractor on the German, Italian and British SP70 155 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer project which was cancelled in 1988 due to funding problems and technical reliability issues. Meanwhile design work was continued by Vickers to see if the turret could be fitted to an existing tank chassis, however the central turret ring of a tank was not ideal for a self propelled gun. Design work began on a new vehicle and, as the AS90 S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 44.3 tons Dimensions: Length 23 ft 8 ins, Width 11 ft 2 ins, Height 9 ft 10 ins Powerplant: 1 x Cummins 660 hp diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 34 mph, Range 150 miles Armament: 1 x 155 mm howitzer, 1 x 12.7 mm machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 17 mm Crew: 10 (Artillery System 90), the first of two prototypes was completed in 1986. In 1989 the AS90 was entered into the British Army's competition for a replacement of the Abbot self-propelled gun and won, which was followed by an order for 179 vehicles that began to enter service in 1993. The turret can traverse through 360°, while the gun has an automated loading system, and with standard ammunition a range of over 15 miles. The AS90 was extensively used during Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003 and subsequent operations in the country, and remains in service with the British Army. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 179 S E L F - P R O P E L L E D G U N
3.7 cm Flakpanzer IV ‘Ostwind’
The Flakpanzer IV ‘Ostwind’ (East Wind) was another German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on the Panzer IV tank. Development began in mid 1944 and was based on the earlier Flakpanzer IV 2 cm Vierling ‘Wirbelwind’. The Ostwind's main improvement was the use of the 3.7 cm FlaK 43 anti-aircraft gun which had a better range and hitting power compared to the 2 cm Flakvierling 38. The turret was of a simpler design and better armoured, and at first it was hoped it could be enclosed to give the gun crew better protection, but the fumes from the gun made this impractical. 1,000 rounds could be carried
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 26 tons Dimensions: Length 19 ft 5 ins, Width 9 ft 8 ins, Height 9 ft 10 ins Powerplant: 1 x 300 hp Maybach petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 24 mph, Range 124 miles Armament: 1 x 3.7 cm FlaK 43 anti-aircraft gun Armour: Maximum 80 mm Crew: 5
aboard the vehicle, while for local defence against infantry the hull 7.92 mm machine gun was retained. An order for 100 vehicles was placed in August 1944, but by the end of the war in May 1945 only 44 had been completed, 37 being converted from existing Panzer IVs that had returned to Germany for repairs, and 7 new production vehicles. By the time they entered service the war in Europe was nearing its conclusion, but apart from their intended role as an anti-aircraft weapon, the fast firing 3.7 cm gun also proved to be highly effective against light vehicles and infantry.
Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 44
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2 cm Flakpanzer IV ‘Wirbelwind’ The ‘Wirbelwind’ (Whirlwind) was developed in late 1943 as a successor to the earlier Möbelwagen self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. A new nine sided open topped turret was designed that was armed with a quadruple barrel 2 cm Flakvierling 38, the new turret and armament directly replacing the turret of the Panzer IV medium tank. Given the name of Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind, production of the tank was carried out by Ostbau Werke in Sagan, Silesia, and between 85 - 105 were produced on the chassis of Panzer IVs that had returned from the font for repairs, but due to discrepancies between the records of S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 22 tons Dimensions: Length 19 ft 4 ins, Width 9 ft 5 ins, Height 9 ft 1 in Powerplant: 1 x 300 hp Maybach petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 24 mph, Range 124 miles Armament: 4 x 2 cm FlaK 38 anti-aircraft guns, 1 x 7.92 mm mg Armour: Maximum 80 mm Crew: 5 Ostbau Werke and the German Army service records, the exact number is unclear. By mid 1944 the 2 cm rounds were felt to be ineffective against aircraft, and a more powerful successor was designed to replace it, this being known as the Flakpanzer IV Ostwind (East Wind) which was equipped with a single 3.7 cm Flak 43 and entered service in late 1944. Although the Wirbelwind was not an effective AA weapon, the combination of its armour and the rapid fire of its four guns made it very effective against ground targets such as trucks, light armoured cars and the infantry. Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 100 S E L F - P R O P E L L E D A A G U N
Crusader III, AA Mk II/III
With the A15 Crusader tank being phased out of front line service from late 1943, a source of chassis became available that could be used for other purposes. With the larger size of the Crusader compared to previous withdrawn tanks, a larger weapon could be mounted, and trials were soon carried out to mount an anti-aircraft gun on redundant vehicles. The first was the Crusader AA Mk I, which was a simple conversion in which the turret was replaced replaced with a 40mm Bofors Anti- Aircraft gun, complete with its field mount and shield, and it was in this form that they mainly served in Europe after the D-
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 19.3 tons Dimensions: Length 19 ft 7 ins, Width 9 ft 1 ins, Height 7 ft 4 ins Powerplant: 1 x Nuffield 340 hp V12 Liberty engine Performance: Maximum speed 27 mph, Range 125 miles  Armament: 1 x 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun, 1 x 7.62 mm mg Armour: Maximum thickness 51 mm Crew: 4
Day landings in June 1944. Later modifications to the Mk I incorporated an autoloader and powered mounting, the gun being mounted in a light armoured turret. The Crusader AA Mk II had a fully enclosed turret which was armed with a twin 20 mm Oerlikon cannon mount. The Crusader AA Mk III was similar to the Mk II, the changes being primarily the internal layout of the turret. By the time they arrived in Europe the need for such vehicles was negligible due to overwhelming Allied air superiority, and were mainly used for the defence of airfields, storage facilities and communication centres.
Country of Origin: UK Number Built: Unknown
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BAe Tracked Rapier Tracked Rapier was developed by British Aerospace in the 1970s to meet a mobile short range air defence requirement for the Iranian Army. The system was based on a modified US M548 Tracked Cargo carrier with a fully enclosed armoured cab at the front. An auxiliary generator was fitted immediately behind the cab with the launcher at the rear, which was identical to the Towed Rapier system, except it had eight missile rails instead of four. The Rapier system was complete with surveillance and tracking radars, while the missiles had an effective range of 750 ft to just over 4 miles, and could operate S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 3.8 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft, Width 9 ft 2 ins, Height 9 ft 1 in Powerplant: 1 x Detriot 210 hp Diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 30 mph, Range unknown Armament: 8 x Rapier Surface to Air Missiles Armour: Unknown Crew: 3 at low levels up to 10,000 ft. After the fall of the Shah of Iran in 1978 the order was cancelled by the new government, but following evaluation by the British Army an initial order for 50 vehicles was placed, followed by a further order for 20 more. The first vehicles were delivered to the British Army in 1983, but in service the Tracked Rapier system had a relatively short career, being replaced in the mid 1990s by the Stormer HVM armed with the new Shorts Starstreak missile system. The Rapier system however was retained in its towed form and is still in service with the British Army. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 70 S E L F - P R O P E L L E D A A S Y S T E M Stormer HVM In 1986 the British Army selected the FV4333 Stormer to carry the Shorts air defence missile system Starstreak High Velocity Missile (HVM) for short range air defence, which was primarily developed to counter the threat of attack helicopters and low-flying aircraft posed to armoured formations. An unmanned turret complete with target sensors is located to the rear of the vehicle which has eight Starstreak surface-to-air missiles in ready to launch positions, with up to a further twelve being stowed inside. The Starstreak missiles have a two stage solid propellant rocket motor and travels at more Mach 3.5 (2,500+ S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Weight: 12.5 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft 6 ins, Width 8 ft 10 ins, Height 7 ft 5 ins Powerplant: 1 x Perkins 250 hp diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 50 mph, Range 400 miles Armament: 1 octuple Starstreak missile launcher Armour: Not available Crew: 3 mph). Each missile contains three high-density darts with impact fuses and explosive warheads so to make multiple hits on the target. Starstreak missiles are also effective against ground targets, and it is estimated that the darts have sufficient kinetic energy to penetrate the frontal armour of an IFV. The missiles have a range of 1 to 3½ miles and a ceiling of over 3,000 ft, and can counter even high performance low flying aircraft. It is believed that since 2009 the Stormer HVM have been gradually decommissioned, although they will still equip three regular and two reserve artillery batteries. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: Unknown S E L F - P R O P E L L E D A A S Y S T E M FV432 ‘Trojan’ The development of the FV430 series of vehicles began in the 1950s, the FV432 Trojan being an armoured personnel carrier. The Trojan had a crew of two and could carry a squad of ten troops. Te role of the APC is to transport the soldiers over the battlefield, where on reaching their objective they would disembark and fight on foot. The troops travel in a rear cabin which is accessed by a rear door in the hull, seating being side benches that can be folded up when the vehicle is used as a cargo carrier. There are also hatches in the roof, but there are no provisions to allow the use of small arms from inside the S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 15.6 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft 3 ins, Width 9 ft 2 ins, Height 7 ft 6 ins Powerplant: 1 x Rolls-Royce 240 hp multi-fuel engine Performance: Maximum speed 32 mph, Range 360 miles Armament: 1 x 7.62 mm machine gun Armour: Proof against small arms fire Crew: 2 + 10 fully equipped troops (or 3.5 tons of cargo) vehicle. For defence the vehicles were originally equipped with an unprotected 7.62 mm machine gun, this being superseded later when the gun was mounted in a small turret. Later a few Trojans were also fitted with a turret from the Fox armoured car armed with a 30 mm Rarden cannon to act as fire support units. The contract for the vehicle was given to GKN Sankey, who between 1963 and 1971 produced over 3,000 units. High export sales were hoped for, but in the end the vehicle lost out to the U.S. M113 which offered a comparable performance at a much lower price, and failed to find any foreign buyers. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 3,000+ A R M O U R E D P E R S O N N E L C A R R I E R Tracteur Blinde VBCP Type 38L In the mid 1930s the French military issued a specification for an armoured supply vehicle for their tank battalions, and to meet this requirement Lorraine put forward the Tracteur Blinde TRC Type 37L. The design was based on their earlier CRI vehicle, but was longer with six road wheels on three bogies each side, and was a simple armoured box with the engine compartment in the front and a cargo area to the rear. To increase load capacity a tracked trailer could also be towed. The vehicle was approved for production, with first order for 214 machines being placed in May 1937 which began to be S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 6.05 tons Dimensions: Length 13 ft 9 ins, Width 5 ft 2 ins, Height 4 ft 3 ins Powerplant: 1 x 70 hp Delahaye petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 22 mph, Range 85 miles Armament: None Armour: Maximum thickness 10 mm Crew: 2 + 10 troops or 1,900 kg payload with trailer delivered in the second half of 1937. They were first issued to combat units in late 1937, and by May 1940 there were 387 in service, light tank battalions receiving twelve vehicles and Char B battalions eighteen each. An armoured personnel carrier version was also produced in small numbers which was known as the Tracteur Blinde VBCP Type 38L. These could carry twelve people, the driver and commander in the front compartment with four infantry in the rear of the main vehicle protected by armoured sides, with a further six in an armoured tracked trailer that was similarly protected. Country of Origin: France Number Built: 630 A R M O U R E D P E R S O N N E L C A R R I E R Tracteur Blinde VBCP Type 38L In the mid 1930s the French military issued a specification for an armoured supply vehicle for their tank battalions, and to meet this requirement Lorraine put forward the Tracteur Blinde TRC Type 37L. The design was based on their earlier CRI vehicle, but was longer with six road wheels on three bogies each side, and was a simple armoured box with the engine compartment in the front and a cargo area to the rear. To increase load capacity a tracked trailer could also be towed. The vehicle was approved for production, with first order for 214 machines being placed in May 1937 which began to be S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 6.05 tons Dimensions: Length 13 ft 9 ins, Width 5 ft 2 ins, Height 4 ft 3 ins Powerplant: 1 x 70 hp Delahaye petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 22 mph, Range 85 miles Armament: None Armour: Maximum thickness 10 mm Crew: 2 + 10 troops or 1,900 kg payload with trailer delivered in the second half of 1937. They were first issued to combat units in late 1937, and by May 1940 there were 387 in service, light tank battalions receiving twelve vehicles and Char B battalions eighteen each. An armoured personnel carrier version was also produced in small numbers which was known as the Tracteur Blinde VBCP Type 38L. These could carry twelve people, the driver and commander in the front compartment with four infantry in the rear of the main vehicle protected by armoured sides, with a further six in an armoured tracked trailer that was similarly protected. Country of Origin: France Number Built: 630 A R M O U R E D P E R S O N N E L C A R R I E R Contents Contents 4 4 3 3 2 2
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