The Hotspur Sandringham APC was developed as a private venture by Hotspur Armoured Products Limited. It was derived from the Sandringham 6, a civilian 6x6 conversion of the Stage One, and offered excellent load-carrying and off-road performance. This was achieved through a combination of a V8 engine, permanent six-wheel drive and lockable centre differential. The conversion was fully approved by Land Rover and there was claimed to be over 90% commonality of parts.
A prototype was displayed at the 1980 British Army Equipment Exhibition and, by early 1981, the prototype had successfully completed a trials programme. Production started in 1982.
The basic APC was able to accommodate a crew of two in the cab together with eight fully-equipped troops in the rear compartment, seated on longitudinal benches along either side. The hull was of all-welded construction using Hotspur super-hard opaque steel armour, and was designed to provide protection from shell splinters and high-velocity rifle fire (typically, NATO 7.62mm ball round) at a minimum 44yds (40m) distance; the floor was protected against mine fragments and grenades. Access to the cab was provided by hinged doors fitted with large vision windows of composite glass and plastic construction, with separate polycarbonate antispall screens. Hinged armoured screens could also be specified for the windscreen and side windows. Access to the rear compartment was provided by two hinged doors fitted with folddown steps. There were six firing ports fitted with vision blocks, two on each side of the vehicle and one in each rear door.
Armour was also fitted to the engine compartment and radiator. The wheels were equipped with run-flat bands which allowed limited operation on a punctured tyre.
Above: Long-wheelbase Defender APVl with Makrolon composite armour for use in Northern Ireland. These vehicles were more heavily armoured than the standard machines equipped with the so-called vehicle protection kit (VPK). (BM)
The vehicle was offered with choice of wheelbase lengths at I25in (3.2m) and 139in (3.53m), identified as the S6 and S6E variants respectively.
Standard equipment included a fan ventilation system, interior lights, and a long-range 18 gallon (80 litre) explosion-proof fuel tank with a locking cap. Customers could also opt for an engine fire-extinguishing system, internal communication system, barricade ram, smoke or CS gas dischargers, power winch, heavy-duty alternator, diesel engine and a 6x4 drive-line.
Other body variants included a command and communications vehicle, field ambulance, long-distance patrol vehicle and fuel or water tanker. A commander’s cupola could be installed in the roof at the rear, designed to mount a general-purpose machine gun (GPMG). It was also possible to adapt the basic Hotspur as a gun tractor or gun/missile platform.
World History
