|
The Leopard Security Vehicle is an unusual land-mine protected APC used by the Rhodesian Government and civilian population during the Rhodesian Bush War. It offered basic but necessary protection against mine attack through the use of a V-hull. ==Design== The Leopard was designed in 1974 by Ernest Konschel. It pre-dates and is similar in concept to the South African Buffel, but is smaller, and carried a driver on the front right, 2 passengers behind on the right, and three on the left. All passengers were on bench seats fixed to the hull facing in. It is powered by a Volkswagen Type 1 engine located in an un-armoured enclosure at the rear, behind the rear axle. The vehicle is notable for its highly unusual shape, all facets of which are intended to counter the effect of land mine blasts. * V-hull cab, * circular external roll over bars, * soft-top roof, preventing undue pressure build-up in the hull in the event of a land-mine blast. * detachable front and rear suspension and engine sub-assemblies, * all passenger seats are fitted with semi-adjustable over-shoulder and lap straps, * road wheels deliberately positioned well away from the passenger compartment or hull, so that if a mine was triggered by a road wheel the hull was not directly over the blast field. This vehicle is considered the first monocoque mine proof vehicle produced. The example shown, from the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester, UK, was built in 1978-9 according to the attached label, making this the Mk6 variant. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Leopard security vehicle」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|