Helion & Company South African Armoured Vehicles (9781913336257) - Africa @ War No.49 Helion & Company via Casemate UK

[Julien]

South African Armoured Vehicles (9781913336257)

A History of Innovation and Excellence

Africa @ War No.49

Helion & Company via Casemate UK

 

 

Three major points affected the design of South African Armoured vehicles.  The long distances in country and low force density need a highly mobile fleet of vehicles, this coupled with the types of border conflicts with the heavy use of mines were major factors to consider. The third major factor in the design of these vehicles was that following 1977 due to the apartheid regime South Africa was cut off from most major sources of external arms. This necessitated they research and develop their own armoured vehicles. The results of this turned out to be some of the most robust vehicles produced anywhere for their time. Some of these principles in relation to mine & IED resistant vehicles would then be needed by the west for conflicts in Iraq & Afghanistan.

 

 

 

The book is 96 pages long and covers the Eland, Buffel, Ratel, Casspir, Rhino, Bateleur, Offifant, Rooikat, Mamba; and Badger vehicles.  There are over 100 black and white photos throughout the book, with 12 pages of colour profiles with specifications, plus 4 pages of colour profiles in the centre of the book. Overall this offers a general history of the development and use of these vehicles without going into things in minute detail.

 

 

 

Conclusion

This is a good book looking at these unique armoured vehicles.  Highly recommended.

 

 

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