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Landsverk SH Unimog ARV

Unimog at the National Transport Museum, Howth Copyright � Irish Armored Vehicles

Unimog at the Curragh Copyright �

Background

The Unimog was acquired in the 1970s as a stop gap vehicle pending the deliveries of the Panhards and Timoneys. Seventeen were delivered including 2 Pre-Production examples to be used for spares. The Unimogs were originally built on foot of an order from the Belgian Government for use by the Gendarmerie in the Belgian Congo, but were not delivered due to a UN embargo. They had good cross-country performance, but their on-road performance suffered from their short wheelbase, hence the order limiting maximum speed to 30 mph. They served with the PDF 1st, 2nd and 4th Motor Sqdns. (now Cavalry Sqdns.) and were transferred to the FCA (now RDF) in 1978, joining 3rd, 11th and 5th Motor Sqdns. The 3rd received 5, the 11th received 3 and the 5th received 4. The Unimogs of the 11th were refitted with Browning .30 in MGs from the L180s and the 3rd and 5th Sqdns' were refitted with Bren Guns.

Vehicle Specification Crew 2+4 Including Driver and Gunner/Commander Armament One 7.62mm FN Mag/.30 in. Browning/.303 in. Bren Replaced for FCA service Unladen Weight .Kgs . Combat Weight . Kgs . Length 4,460 mm . Width 2,250 mm . Height 2,500 mm Top of Shield, 1,990 mm Hull Max. Speed 30 mph/48 Km/h Open road, Limited by Order of the DF Cruise Speed . kph . Range . Km Open road Max. Vertical Step . mm . Max. Trench . . Armour 7 mm Approx. Unknown, however upon examination appears to be 7 mm. Ballistic Protection 7.62 mm AP or Ball(?) All Round Ballistic Protection . . Ballistic Protection . . Engine MB Petrol 2,748cc(?) 110 bhp (?) Transmission MB Manual

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