34 Renault VAB APC, France

Panhard VCR-TT APC

France

The Panhard VCR-TT was developed purely as a commercial venture to provide a relatively low cost and unsophisticated wheeled APC that would meet the requirements of many overseas nations.

It was first shown in 1977 and since then has gained a steady stream of orders to the extent that production on request is still available.

The base model is a 6 x 6 vehicle although a 4 x 4 model is also offered. The latter has been produced in smaller numbers than the 6 x 6 and is virtually a shortened 6 x6 with the central axle removed; the only known customer to date has been Argentina.

On the 6 x 6 VCR-TT the central axle can be raised when the vehicle is travelling along roads. The overall silhouette is quite high, due mainly to the need for headroom for the ten passengers and three crew. Access for the troop compartment is through the rear hull, with the occupants seated on inward-facing benches. The vehicle commander controls the main armament which is usually a 7.62 mm MG over his hatch; a 20 mm cannon or a 60 mm breech-loading mortar are alternatives.

In common with many other APCs the VCR-TT is amphibious but there are no water jet units as once in the water propulsion and steering are both carried out via the road wheels.

The spacious rear compartment can be equipped for many applications. VCR variants include mobile workshops for front line repairs, the usual ambulance and command vehicles, plus mobile medical aid posts, air defence missile vehicles (yet to enter production) and anti-tank missile carriers.

From mid-1983 onwards all VCR series vehicles were produced with slightly revised wheelbase dimensions and a lengthened hull, Vehicles sold to Abu Dhabi have a. widened hull.

Other customers have included Iraq and Mexico (two command vehicles). Many of the Iraqi vehicles were destroyed during the 1991 Gulf campaign.

Panhard VCR-TT

Specification

( 6 x6 model) Crew: 3 Seating: 9 Weight: (combat) 7,900kg Length: 4.875 m Width: 2.5m Height: (hull top) 2.13m Ground clearance: 0,375 m Track: 2.115m Max speed: (road) 90 km/h Fuel capacity: 242 litres Range: 700 km Fording: amphibious Vertical obstacle: 0.8 m Engine: Peugeot PRV V-6 petrol Power output: 145hp Suspension: independent Armament: 1 x 20 mm cannon or 1 x 7 . 6 2 m m MG Variants: See text