Alan McNeilly gives us a walk-around of the Saracen APC on display during the Military Vehicle Open Day at the Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford.



Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Hi folks,

I'm not too familiar with this version. I've shown it as an FV603 APC but should it be a FV604 Command Vehicle? Any experts on this vehicle around?

Thanks

Al

Seen plenty of Saracens in NI, but Im not too familair with this either. Would love to see a plastic model of these. There are more possibilities with landrover today and ultimately would love to do a NI scene.

The one Alan features has been modified and upgraded.

Original build command versions (below) did not have a turret and also had a much taller profile.


Alan's item has the Mk.2 turret, stowage wings at the lower roof line, extra radios (radio antennas) and later style fixed (welded shut) side periscopes including ones added to the rear door flaps, indicative of the Mk.6.

A quick look at the drivers seat would confirm this.

Keith.

Thanks for the info Keith. Should I show this as an AV 604 Mk 6 in that case?

Frank, I vaguely remember these from a military display day in Holywood Barracks way back before the troubles began, early 60s I think. You could get in the tanks and APCs, must have been between about 8 or 10 at the time. Long time ago anyway.

Cheers

Al

I was but a twinkle in the auld fellas eye at that time

Hi Frank,

I remember the day well, the sun was shinning, I went with my Mother, Aunt and Sister. Any outing in those days was a seriously big event. I went in a Centurion tank, even then being a small boy I can remember how cramped it felt. When I joined up years later I remember telling them I didn't want the Tank Corps and that was a direct throw back to that day lol, lol.

By the time I got to Germany the Saracen's were long gone being used in NI only. At that stage I was an NCO so much to my relief commanded my own vehicle and got to stick my head outside most of the time. To this day I still don't like confined spaces.

Cheers

Al

Hi Gents,
Having researched the Saracen family in depth for our 1/24th scale kit of same I can offer some insight here. (see military section on www.kitformservices.com)

The vehicle photographed is in fact a Mk5. Note the swept square box trunking in front of the drivers hatch that sweeps around the sides (which is generally not present on a Mk6) & also the square boxed in fuel filler neck on the right side. This last point alone indicates an uparmoured Mk5 or Mk6. The main ID point though, Mk6 was fitted with raised Beehive air intake grills on the engine decks & a large tin shield affair that effectively hides the entire front grill. This is called RFC (reverse flow cooling) This is where the vehicle is fitted with opposite pitch Saladin fans & where the cooling air is drawn in through the Beehives & blown out through the front grill. All this was done to assist cooling the engine without roasting the driver & was intended for hot climates. You will also see many Mk6 used in Ireland...these were from a cancelled Libyan order & were actually shipped to NI in desert sand & repainted in theatre.

The vehicle is also an FV604 ACV, (armoured command vehicle) & could be found with & without a turret. Where as the version with the very tall upper hull is an FV610 ACP (armoured command post)

Hope that helps chaps. (See also the Saracen Gallery on www.kitformservices.com)

Best Regs all
Howard @ KFS

PS...in a nutshell then it is in fact an FV604 Mk5 ACV

Thanks Howard,

I knew someone would know. Much appreciated.

Al

No sweat Alan. Just happens to be something I have plenty of info on thats all.

Errr.....but since posting my reply it seems the feature has gone from the features list & I'm locked out of viewing the series of picture when I click the link at the top of the thread. It seems I'm "Not Authorised" to view the pictures.

Did I do something wrong here ?
H

Why do I get the "You are not authorised to view that article" when I click on the link?



~ Jeff

Quote;- Why do I get the "You are not authorised to view that article" when I click on the link?

Exactly what I said !

Also I can only find this thread by clicking on Latest Posts now. It is not appearing in Armour/AFV

Is it me ?
H

If anyone is interested in what I meant by 'Beehives' I just posted 3 pics of Mk5 & Mk6 Saracen APC in my album above. You should be able to see them ok.

H

Hi Howard and Jeff,

I'll ask Darren to check, I was getting the same until I logged in. I altered the heading to reflect the confirmed designation but that shouldn't have knocked out the link.

Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

Hopefully all is OK now? It's showing as a diorama feature not a walkabout at the moment but the links seem to be working OK.

Al

I was logged in but it appears to be working now so thanks for your hard work in getting it corrected!

(BTW... nice work on the photography)



~ Jeff

Hi Jeff,

Thanks. I did post up a pic before the feature went live to check the designation, but unfortunately got no replies. It's a real pain if you have to go back later and change the title and only Darren or James have admin rights to correct the links.

I have no similar excuse for the Bedford, just a BF or senior moment lol.

Thanks also for the additional links Howard.

Al

Alan not even Jim can edit titles once a feature is live and retain a feature header.

Hi Darren,

Thanks for sorting the link. The article now shows the correct designation so that's the main thing.

Cheers

Al