Hosted by Darren Baker
Saladin Armoured Car in Northern Ireland ...

pbennett

Joined: October 14, 2007
KitMaker: 464 posts
Armorama: 412 posts
Posted: Saturday, May 27, 2017 - 01:53 AM UTC
Does anyone know when the Saladin was deployed to Northern Ireland, and more importantly, when it was withdrawn from this theatre? Also, what markings would the Saladins have carried during their NI deployment?

stevescanlon

Joined: July 05, 2011
KitMaker: 102 posts
Armorama: 44 posts

Posted: Saturday, May 27, 2017 - 08:17 AM UTC
Not an expert Paul but not aware of the Saladin being used in N.I.

jasegreene

Joined: October 21, 2013
KitMaker: 751 posts
Armorama: 751 posts

Posted: Saturday, May 27, 2017 - 08:53 AM UTC
From what I understand the Saladin was deployed to Northern Ireland as a police vehicle.

ALBOWIE

Joined: February 28, 2006
KitMaker: 1,605 posts
Armorama: 1,565 posts

Posted: Saturday, May 27, 2017 - 10:42 AM UTC
Quoted Text
From what I understand the Saladin was deployed to Northern Ireland as a police vehicle.
That was its APC stablemate the Saracen. The Saladin was too warlike and aggresive for NI and as such not deployed.

gastec

Joined: February 03, 2014
KitMaker: 1,042 posts
Armorama: 871 posts

Posted: Saturday, May 27, 2017 - 11:02 AM UTC
http://norfolktankmuseum.co.uk/saladin-armoured-car-fv-601/
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/c9/dd/35/c9dd35bd5a8e64b290c5af8185dd8907.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/19/f6/a6/19f6a66ffadbc45b11d8ecc3a04dcf5d.jpg
Quick Google search comes up with some images of the Saladin in NI.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/c9/dd/35/c9dd35bd5a8e64b290c5af8185dd8907.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/19/f6/a6/19f6a66ffadbc45b11d8ecc3a04dcf5d.jpg
Quick Google search comes up with some images of the Saladin in NI.

Frenchy

Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
Armorama: 12,507 posts

Posted: Saturday, May 27, 2017 - 04:42 PM UTC
Two more :

Operation Motorman 1972 :

H.P.
Operation Motorman 1972 :

H.P.

pbennett

Joined: October 14, 2007
KitMaker: 464 posts
Armorama: 412 posts
Posted: Saturday, May 27, 2017 - 09:44 PM UTC
Thanks for the very interesting images. Yes, both Saladin and Saracen were deployed in NI. What I wasn't sure of was the markings applied to these vehicles, and roughly when they ceased to be used in that theatre.
Paul
Paul

TankManNick

Joined: February 01, 2010
KitMaker: 551 posts
Armorama: 543 posts

Posted: Sunday, May 28, 2017 - 12:20 AM UTC
Quoted Text
The Saladin was too warlike and aggresive for NI and as such not deployed.
I recall some such reasoning but I think it applied to tracked vehicles looking too warlike so wheeled vehicles were deployed. Just from memory of reading about it - was never there.

Frenchy

Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
Armorama: 12,507 posts

Posted: Sunday, May 28, 2017 - 12:28 AM UTC
Just came across a nice color picture dated 1972 :
H.P.

H.P.

exer

Joined: November 27, 2004
KitMaker: 6,048 posts
Armorama: 4,619 posts

Posted: Sunday, May 28, 2017 - 02:10 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextThe Saladin was too warlike and aggresive for NI and as such not deployed.
I recall some such reasoning but I think it applied to tracked vehicles looking too warlike so wheeled vehicles were deployed. Just from memory of reading about it - was never there.
Centurion AVRES were used during operation Motorman

iowabrit

Joined: November 06, 2007
KitMaker: 585 posts
Armorama: 557 posts

Posted: Sunday, May 28, 2017 - 02:38 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextFrom what I understand the Saladin was deployed to Northern Ireland as a police vehicle.
That was its APC stablemate the Saracen. The Saladin was too warlike and aggresive for NI and as such not deployed.
Oops...
I think I did read somewhere (possibly the old Osprey book on the Cent?) that the Centurion AVRE used in Motorman had the turret reversed and the gun covered by tarps to make it less 'warlike'. Not sure if there was more than one AVRE employed though.

Frenchy

Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
Armorama: 12,507 posts

Posted: Sunday, May 28, 2017 - 09:58 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Not sure if there was more than one AVRE employed though.
Looks like there were at least 3 deployed there :
http://airfixtributeforum.wonko3.myfastforum.org/Centurion_Tanks_about37474.html
H.P.

Keef1648

Joined: January 23, 2008
KitMaker: 1,240 posts
Armorama: 1,192 posts

Posted: Sunday, May 28, 2017 - 05:19 PM UTC

They were in both Belfast and Londonderry initially.
The 17/21st Lancers were stationed in Omagh at that time and certainly had Saladins.
Hope that helps.
C Squadron (my squadron) was deployed from Windsor just in time to take part in the Falls Road incident (night of the armoured cars) but we were a Ferret scout car only Sqn.
Keith

![]() |