FV434

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FV434, Armoured Repair Vehicle
FV434 on display
TypeArmoured Repair/Recovery Vehicle
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Production history
ManufacturerGKN Sankey
Specifications
Mass17.5 tons (17.5 t)
Length5.88 m (19 ft 3 in)
Width2.8 m
Height2.77 m
Crew4 troops

Armour12.7 mm max
Main
armament
7.62 mm L7 GPMG
Secondary
armament
none, defensive smoke dischargers
EngineRolls-Royce K60 multi-fuel
240 hp
Power/weight15.7 hp/tonne
Suspensiontorsion-bar, 5 units each side
Operational
range
483 km
Maximum speed 29 mph (47 km/h)

The FV434 is the Armoured Repair Vehicle variant of the British Army's FV430 series of armoured fighting vehicles. Introduced in the 1960s primarily as a means of quickly changing Chieftain MBT power packs in the field, it is operated by the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). It is still used by the REME.

Description[edit]

Officially designated FV434 Carrier, Maintenance, Full Tracked, the FV434's primary role is to repair disabled and damaged vehicles, but it also has a limited recovery capability. It is fitted with a crane (capable of lifting up to 3 tons) to assist its work in repairing armoured and un-armoured vehicles. The FV434 is capable of changing other FV430 series power packs, however, it is unable to handle the power pack the British Army's Challenger 2 main battle tank - this is done by Challenger armoured recovery vehicle in forward areas and soft skin repair vehicles in base areas.

In addition to the crane, the FV434 is fitted with a fold-away work bench to the rear of the vehicle. Like its personnel carrier version, it is capable of amphibious operations with the aid of a flotation screen. Once in the water, it is propelled by its tracks at up to 5.6 km/h. It is crewed by four soldiers: commander, driver and two fitters.

Examples on display[edit]

The REME Museum of Technology has an example of a FV434 demonstrating the change of a power-pack on a FV432.

The Norfolk Tank Museum has a restored and running example currently on display.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

Bibliography[edit]

  • Foss, C. and Gander, T. Jane's Military Vehicles and Ground Support Equipment (1984)

External links[edit]

Operators[edit]