Turrets and Tracks
Saladin Armoured Scout Car
Saladin Armoured Scout Car
SPECIFICATION
Weight; 10.5 Ton’s
Width; 8ft 4in
Height; 7ft 1in
Length; 17ft 2in
Crew of three; Driver, Gunner / Radio operator
and Commander / loader
Turrets and Tracks acquired the Saladin Armoured Scout Car 01 CC 69 in 1995. This was the second vehicle to join the collection, and as you can see, when we acquired this vehicle she was in a very sorry state. During restoration, the vehicle was completely stripped and rebuilt , including a reconditioned engine, transmission, and braking system. The wiring loom had to be reproduced by hand, as when she was purchased, most of the interior had been removed and was supplied in a storage crate. We can find very little information about her service history with the British Army but I believe she served in the Middle East in the 60’s and 70’s and according to some of the vehicle modifications would have served in Northern Ireland. Saladin 01 CC 69 entered service in late 1959 and was sold off in 1984.
ARMAMENT
The Saladin Armoured Scout Car is fitted with an Ordnance Q.F (quick fire) 76mm A.C.L.5A1 gun firing HESH (high explosive squash head) HE (high explosive) SMOKE (for self protection giving a instant smoke screen) CANISTER (firing steel pellets against ground troops). On the exterior of the commander’s hatch is a .30 IN. No.7, MK1 Browning machine gun used by the commander for defence against ground troops as well as low flying aircraft, the gunner also has the use of a coaxial .30 IN Browning machine gun for use against infantry and soft skin targets. You will find smoke discharges on both sides of the turret, which would provide a readily available smoke screen, which can be used to permit the vehicle to be manoeuvred under cover. The smoke discharges are designed to fire No. 80 grenade using fuse, electric No. F103 Mk 2 and 3 as a propellant.
Saladin before restoration.
ENGINE
The Saladin Armoured Scout is fitted with a Rolls Royce B80 No. 1, Mk 6D, 8 cylinder 5.6 litre water cooled petrol engine producing 160bhp at 3750rpm coupled to a semi automatic pre select gearbox with five forward and reverse gears, giving the vehicle a top speed of 45mph on the road and 30mph cross country. All six wheel are driven and the front and middle axles are steered.