Alvis Saracen

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300px FV 603 Saracen in Yad la-Shiryon museum, Israel.
Alvis Saracen Mk 1
General characteristics
Length m
Width 2.54 m
Height 2.46 m
Weight t
Suspension 6 x 6 wheel
Speed 72 km/h road
32 km/h off-road
Range 400 km
Primary armament 2 x machine gun
Secondary armament none
Armour 16 mm
Power plant petrol
horsepower>hp (119 kW)
Crew 2 + 9

FV 603 Saracen in Yad la-Shiryon museum, Israel.
Alvis Saracen Mk 1 General characteristics
Length	m
Width	2.54 m
Height	2.46 m
Weight	t
Suspension	6 x 6 wheel
Speed	72 km/h road 32 km/h off-road
Range	400 km
Primary armament	2 x machine gun
Secondary armament	none
Armour	16 mm
Power plant	petrol horsepower>hp (119 kW)
Crew	2 + 9

The FV 603 Saracen was a six-wheeled armoured personnel carrier built by Alvis and used by the British army that became a recognisable vehicle as a result of its part in the policing of Northern Ireland.

Contents

1 History
2 Combat History
3 Operators
4 Variants

4.1 Mk 1
4.2 Mk 2
4.3 Mk 3
4.4 Mk 4
4.5 Mk 5
4.6 Mk 6

5 External links

History

The Saracen was the armoured personnel carrier of Alvis' FV600 series. Besides the driver and commander, a squad of 8 soldiers plus a troop commander could be carried. A machine gun could be mounted on the roof and there were ports on the sides through which troops can fire. Although removed from active service, it saw extensive use into the 1980's in Northern Ireland and was a familiar sight during "The Troubles".

As a member of the FV 600 series it shared the same chassis as the FV601 Saladin armoured car, the Salamander fire engine and to a slightly lesser extent the Stalwart High Mobility Load Carrier. The Saracen was in turn used as an armoured personnel Carrier, armoured command vehicle and ambulance.

The 600 series includes

FV 601 Saladin: the armoured car
FV 604 Command Vehicle: with extra radio equipment.
FV 610 Artillery Command Vehicle: higher roof in rear compartment for map table and an awning fitted to the rear.

Saracen was produced before Saladin because of the urgent need for a personnel carrier, entering production in 1952.

The Saracen was produced both with turrets fitted and without.

Combat History

Malayan Emergency

Operators

UK, General Service 1954 to 1960's. Northern Ireland only to 1991.
Nigeria
Royal Hong Kong Police Force

Variants

Saracens were initially equipped with a L3A4 (Browning .30 Cal) machine gun in the turret, and a Bren gun for the gun-ring at the rear of the vehicle. Later Marks carried the LMG, and L7 GPMG

Mk 1

Early version with 3-door turret and turret pistol ports.

Mk 2

Modified Mark 1 with later two-door turret. The rear turret door folds down and can act as a seat for the commander..

Mk 3

Reverse-flow cooling for use in hot climates

Mk 4

prototype only

Mk 5

Mark 1 or Mark 2 vehicles modified with extra armour specifically for use in Northern Ireland.

Mk 6

Mark 3 modified with extra armour as for the Mk 5 for use in Northern Ireland.

External links

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