Sonderwagen III

[Stuhlfleisch 3,762]

 

In 1966, Germany purchased a total of 97 FV601D Alvis Saladin armoured-cars from Britain. The vehicles were introduced to the BGS, the German border-patrol, which used them from 1966 to 1973 under the new name "Sonderwagen III" meaning Special Vehicle III, the name was also sometimes shortened to "SW III". The vehicles were not used by the Bundeswehr, but were completely operational, including the cannon.

 

As to why the BGS received such heavy vehicles, this was most likely done, because in the case of an escalation between east and west, the BGS would have supported the Bundeswehr in the ensuing conflict with east-Germany, therefore such a heavily armoured and armed vehicle made sense to be fielded with what essentially was a military-police, especially during the time, because during the 1960's and 1970's, the BGS was still more military, than police, with new recruits being trained on handgrenades, machineguns and rifles up until at least 1972, if not even later.

 

For the overall look that differenciates them from the British original, they did not have a roof-mounted LMG, they also had BGS markings, like the number-plate, but otherwise were left stock like the standard British Saladin. Even the paint-job was not changed, with all of the German SW III's retaining the original British olive paint-job.

 

The specific version which Germany purchased was the FV601D, which was different to other Saladin variants, with the lack of a coaxial LMG, different smoke-dischargers and also different lights.

 

Pictures:

Spoiler

 

Specifications:

Crew: 3

Length: 4,93m

Width: 2,54m

Height: 2,93m

Weight: 11,6 tons

 

Armament:

1x 76mm L5A1 cannon (42 rounds) (the version Germany purchased, the FV601D, did not have a coaxial LMG, and the German used Saladins also did not receive a roof-mounted LMG)

 

Thoughts:

I personally think this would be an excellent wheeled vehicle for Germany, which could fit great after the Sd.Kfz 234/2 at a BR of 4.7 or 5.0.

 

If you want to add something, or spot a mistake, feel free to post it under this thread. Cheers!

 

Sources:

BGS-Fahrzeuge bei der Bundeswehr (panzerbaer.de)

Alvis Saladin - 6-rädriger britischer Spähpanzer von 1959 bis in die 1980er (bredow-web.de)

Karl-Heinz-Kapp.de - Fahrzeuge-Hubschrb. (bgs13-coburg1959.de)

Alvis Saladin - Wikipedia

BGS - Fahrzeuge (2) | Flickr

Mit dem SW1 (beim-alten-bgs.de)

[ItssLuBu 1,798]

Approved and open for discussion. 

[DMYEugen 688]

+1 Could be introduced in many ways. I like it, though, if the Germans get a Saladin, the Brits have to get one too.

[eleks12 1,079]

+1 Germany needs more light tanks! 

[Milocat 4,854]

+1 from me, nice find.  

[Chris4win 366]

+1 Germany needs a light tank between puma and m41

[Spr4yz 59]

A very interesting light tank for Germany which I agree with Chris4win is needed around that gap. +1
Although the ammunition choice leaves something to be desired, as the only anti-tank round available is the 76mm L29 HESH. I found two posts on the forum, one saying that it can "pen" 80mm, another sourcing Jane's Ammunition says it can "pen" 90mm. Not awfully bad, but as I said it leaves quite a bit to be desired.
Explosive filler seems to be 0.93 kg of RDX. (https://www.bulletpicker.com/pdf/DST-1160Z-029-94.pdf. Page 295 in pdf.)

Post with stats:

 

Post sourcing Jane's:

 

 

[Chris4win 366]

5 hours ago, Spr4yz said:

A very interesting light tank for Germany which I agree with Chris4win is needed around that gap. +1
Although the ammunition choice leaves something to be desired, as the only anti-tank round available is the 76mm L29 HESH. I found two posts on the forum, one saying that it can "pen" 80mm, another sourcing Jane's Ammunition says it can "pen" 90mm. Not awfully bad, but as I said it leaves quite a bit to be desired.
Explosive filler seems to be 0.93 kg of RDX. (https://www.bulletpicker.com/pdf/DST-1160Z-029-94.pdf. Page 295 in pdf.)

Post with stats:

 

Post sourcing Jane's:

 

 

 

90mm would be enough for at least 4.7 (and tier 3) because Hesh would have it on all angles.