The Saladin Downunder The Saladin Armoured Car was a British multi-role vehicle appearing in the post-World War 2 years. It was brought online after a lengthy development period to replace the outgoing 4x4 AEC Armoured Car that was used throughout the British campaigns of World War 2, first beginning in North Africa, and went on to serve for a time thereafter. The Saladin was named after the Kurdish Muslim warrior Saladin who led campaigns against European crusaders and was ultimately ruler over what is today modern-day Egypt, Syria and Yemen as well as the regions consisting of Mesopotamia and Hejas. Despite development of the Saladin beginning in the post-war years, the type did not formally enter British service until 1958.
The Saladin was part of the Alvis family of FV600 series vehicles (all named with designations prefixed with the letter "S"). Another vehicle in the line, the 6x6 FV603 Saracen, was also born from the FV600 family and used extensively in policing territories in Northern Ireland. Similarly, the Saladin was developed with a 6x6 wheelbase that made use of a 6x6 wheeled suspension system and borrowed some of the drive-train lessons as learned in the development of the Saracen. While the Saracen itself was billed as an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) at heart, the Saladin was categorized as a dedicated armoured car system.
History of the Saladin in Australian ServiceThe Australian Army ordered approximately 60 Saladins in 1960. They were delivered in 1961. Initially they armed the reconnaissance regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. However, with the increasing emphasis on operations in South East Asia it was felt that wheeled vehicles lack mobility. The vehicles were withdrawn from regular army units and handed over to the Citizen Military Forces (CMF) units in 1963. They performed well there, on long range patrols across the “top end” of the continent, in the arid areas. However, they weren’t popular with their crews because of the high maintenance loads associated with long distance travel. In 1965 they were withdrawn from CMF units. 15 vehicles had their turrets removed and they were placed on M113 APCs.
The Australian Army mounted Saladin turrets on M113A1 APCs to produce the Fire Support Vehicle. This was later renamed as the Medium Reconnaissance Vehicle after the somewhat unreliable turret was replaced by the turret from the FV101 Scorpion Light Tank. Royal Australian Armoured Corps(RAAC) personnel referred to them as "Beasts".
The other 45 remaining vehicles were passed onto the RAAF Airfield Defence Guards (ADG) where they saw sterling service, defending RAAF airfields. The ADGs liked them, dashing madly along the runways and taxiways to deter any who would dare to attack them. The vehicle displayed is painted in Bronze Green the standard British Army colour and is from the ADG 5 Cavalry Squadron, Amberly Air Base in approximately 1975 where they were responsible for guarding the RAAF’s F-111 Strike Aircraft.
The KitA Dragon 1/35 scaled Saladin. Painted with a hairy stick. Decals OOB.
