Appearing for the first time at the 1984 British Army Equipment Exhibition, the Hotspur Dragoon 6484 APC was produced as a private venture by Hotspur Armoured Products Limited of Neath, South Wales. It was based on a modified and strengthened Defender 110 chassis with an additional powered axle, allowing a 6x6 or 6x4 drive-line.
The angular armoured steel hull enclosed the engine compartment and provided accommodation for 12 troops in the rear and a crew of two in the cab, with access via side or rear doors. The floor was armoured to protect against mine and grenade attacks. The hull was proof against 7.62mm rounds fired at 90° from 27yd (25m), and against point-blank attack from 9mm and.44in Magnum rounds. The multi-layer laminate glass windscreen and side windows included an anti-spaul polycarbonate layer; armoured shutters could be lifted over the windows for maximum protection. A light turret or machine gun hatch could be fitted over the rear compartment.
Optional equipment included a 24V electrical system, intercom, public address, smoke grenade launchers, power-assisted steering, run-flat tyres, and long-range, selfsealing fuel tanks.
Left: Shorland armoured car mounting a pair of Vigilant anti-aircraft missiles on the turret sides. (TM)
Left: Shorland Series 5 equipped with Blowpipe/ Javelin anti-aircraft missiles. (TM)
Above and right:
The Shorland Mk 4. and the corresponding SB-401 ARC. appeared in 1980, using the Series III chassis and the 3.5-litre V8 engine. (SV
Above: Shorland Mk 3 (SB-301) armoured personnel carrier, powered by the six-cylinder 2.625CC engine. (TM)
At the time of launch, the company was said to be considering the production of ambulance and communications variants.
World History
