A history of necessity and innovation, takes an in-depth look at 22 iconic South African armoured vehicles. The development of each vehicle is rolled out in the form of a breakdown of their main features, layout and design, equipment, capabilities, variants and service experiences. Illustrated by over 100 authentic photographs and more than two doz

The Border War saw the biggest armoured battles in Africa since World War II. Starting as a counter-insurgency operation by the South African Defence Force (SADF) against the South West Africa People's Organisation, South Africa became embroiled in the complex Angolan Civil War, where they came up against enemies well supplied with equipment and armoured vehicles from the Soviet Union. With the aid of stunning illustrations and photographs, this study details the characteristics, capabilities and performance of the wide variety of armoured vehicles deployed by the SADF, from the Eland armoured car to the Ratel infantry combat vehicle and the Olifant tank. Designed for the unique conditions of the region, South Africa's armour was distinctive and innovative, and has influenced the design of counterinsurgency armoured vehicles around the world. Frequently requested by Osprey readers, and written by two renowned experts on armoured vehicles, this will appeal to all those interested in modern armour and the Cold War proxy wars.

Mine-protected and mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles are today standard in the US, most major western armed forces and many other armies as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The South African Army was already routinely using mine-protected armored personnel carriers and patrol vehicles forty years ago even if they looked primitive and ungainly. A few years later, the South African Army had reached the stage where it could deploy entire combat groups into battle zones equipped with only mine-protected vehicles, including their ambulances and supply trucks. By then the mine-protected vehicles had also become effective for use in combat, rather than just protected transport, the Casspir being the chief example. More to the point, they saved countless soldiers and policemen from death or serious injury, and the basic concepts now live on in the various MRAP types in service today. The valuable lessons learned by the South Africans with their early designs of these combat-proven vehicles has led the country to become one of the global leaders in the design of MRAPs which are locally manufactured and exported around the world. Surviving the Ride is a fascinating pictorial account featuring more than 120 of these unique South African-developed vehicles, spanning a forty-year period, with over 280 photographs, many of which are previously unpublished.

An authoritative guide to the South African armor camouflage and markings during training and combat operations in World War II. Part 1 includes armored vehicles: Crusader, Grant, Sherman, Priest, M10, Sexton, Stuart Recce, Universal Carrier, Half-track, Scout/Armored Cars.

Short history of the South African Tank Corps which was eventually absorbed by the South African Armoured Corps in 1943, and its part in the war of 1939-1945.

The Border War saw the biggest armoured battles in Africa since World War II. Starting as a counter-insurgency operation by the South African Defence Force (SADF) against the South West Africa People's Organisation, South Africa became embroiled in the complex Angolan Civil War, where they came up against enemies well supplied with equipment and armoured vehicles from the Soviet Union. With the aid of stunning illustrations and photographs, this study details the characteristics, capabilities and performance of the wide variety of armoured vehicles deployed by the SADF, from the Eland armoured car to the Ratel infantry combat vehicle and the Olifant tank. Designed for the unique conditions of the region, South Africa's armour was distinctive and innovative, and has influenced the design of counterinsurgency armoured vehicles around the world. Frequently requested by Osprey readers, and written by two renowned experts on armoured vehicles, this will appeal to all those interested in modern armour and the Cold War proxy wars.

The Light Armored Vehicle 25 (LAV-25) has played a significant role in transforming United States Marine Corps doctrine since its introduction in the early 1980s. The Marine Corps' Light Armored Vehicle program was based on the proven Swiss MOWAG Piranha series of 4x4, 6x6, and 8x8 wheeled vehicles. However, developing organizational units, tactics, and employment of the weapon system within the force structure of the Marine Corps proved to be more of a challenge than fielding the weapon system. This resulted in multiple re-designations for LAV units within the Corps. The LAV first saw combat in Panama during Operation Just Cause and LAV-25s have fought in every major conflict since, including Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. This book covers the design, development, and deployment of this continuingly successful vehicle.

Filled with fine-scale drawings of Australian, Belgian, Canadian, Czech, French, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Romanian, and South African armored vehicles, including: • Centauro Tank Destroyer (Italy) • TKS Light Reconnaissance Tank (Poland) • Ram "Kangaroo" Personnel Carrier (Canada) • Renault R-35 Light Tank (France) • Type 3 Chi-nu Heavy Tank (Japan) • Scorpion AC1 Cruiser Tank (Australia) • TACAM R-2 Tank Hunter (Romania) • And many, many more . . .

The first in this all new series 'Conflict 100: A Century of Warfare Remembered through Military Modeling', exclusively published by GG Books and Helion & Company, showcases modern South African Armor. Through a series of step-by-step builds by leading modelers, which are accompanied by detailed walk arounds, a selection of vehicles and weapon systems are explored by serving South African Army Officer William Marshall, for military modelers and students of military history alike. During the South African Border War of 1966-1989, the South African Defense Force circumvented an international arms embargo to build a robust capability which reflected the nature of the conflict in hand; counterinsurgency operations against SWAPO in northern southwest Africa (Namibia) and offensive war fighting into Angola. The South African Defense Force found itself commissioning a range of mine protected platforms which were designed to counter the prevalent use of land mines and IEDs. Vehicles such as the Casspir and Buffel were purposefully designed to protect infantrymen from the threat of reinforced mines - many of which were fabricated from unexploded ordnance or from multiple antitank mines initiated by a trigger anti personnel mine. With its sturdy V-shaped hull, the Casspir was well able to survive mine blasts as was the Buffel which afforded protection whilst allowing a high degree of mobility. Here, modeler Steve Crump assembles the BaxMod 1/35th Casspir as a Koevoet vehicle - the elite South West African Police counterinsurgency team whereas BaxMod founder Chris Baxter builds his own 1/35th Buffel kit. Both the Casspir and Buffel have become icons of the Border War, these builds show just why. The Ratel series of Infantry Fighting Vehicle was also designed to protect its crew from land mines and IEDs, whilst also giving commanders a highly mobile and kinetic offensive capability. Equipped with a 20mm gun, the Ratel 20 is able to deliver an astonishing rate of fire. The Ratel 90 has proved itself an exceptional 'bunker buster' in operations against SWAPO in southern Angola and in a number of instances, readily saw off T-55 tanks. Tamiya's Marcus Nicholls here takes us through his stunning Ratel 20 build, whereas Australian modeler, Stuart Ransley, does the same for his Ratel 90. South Africa's main battle tank during the Border Was a derivative of the British Centurion. Equipped with a powerful diesel engine and up-gunned with a 105mm system, the Olifant was well suited for operating in the bush. Deployed during the 1987/8 battle of Cuito Cuanavale, the Olifants of 61 Mechanized Infantry Battalion proved themselves a formidable adversary for Angolan and Cuban forces. Steve Crump's Olifant build is based on the AFV Club Centurion kit and depicts an Olifant during the Cuito battle. German modeler Ralf Stein takes us through his Olifant build too - an amazing work that truly captures the shape and features of a battle-worn Olifant. BaxMod's latest 1/35th resin release is the G6 Self Propelled Gun. Modeler David Rowe gives this huge kit the full treatment to render a build of this weapon system which is stunning to behold. Now operationally deployed with the post-apartheid South African National Defense Force, the G6 is an incredible example of South African military engineering and a triumph of production for Armscor - the Armaments Corporation of South Africa. South Africa's 44 Para Brigade was one of the SADF's elite fighting units. Showcasing its airborne offensive capability, it saw action during the 1978 Cassinga battle where a force of ParaBats led by the legendary Colonel Jan Breytenbach, assaulted and destroyed a large insurgent headquarters. The Pathfinder Company of 44 Para Brigade interestingly comprised a significant number of British and American 'contract soldiers'. These individuals adapted and improvised the issue Unimog carriers to be light patrol vehicles. Heavily armed with a combination of 7.62mm FN MAGS and .50 Cal Browning guns, these patrol vehicles were striking to say the least. Ralf Stein's build takes us through the assembly of one of these 'Mad Max' machines. Different it is! Modeling Modern South African Armor is a unique and compelling work. The origin and history of each weapon system is covered in detail; step-by-step builds in full color give important 'how-to' tips; walk-around feature images that have never been seen before; color profiles illustrate camouflage markings and the volume cites extensive references, a bibliography and more. 'Conflict 100: A Century of Warfare Remembered through Military Modeling' is a new series concept, allowing military modelers to focus on a specific area or genre that is of interest to them. From Modern South African Armor to Cold War British Jet Fighters; the Rhodesian Conflict through to French Foreign Legion Operations in Mali; S-Boat Operations in the Aegean to modern Bundeswehr armor... all these and more will be given the Conflict 100 treatment - quality builds by leading modelers; historical contexts from acknowledged sources, color profiles of vehicles and weapon systems; detailed walk arounds which take you to the heart of the subject. With individual builds and profiles available to buy as downloadable PDFs, this series will grow and grow.

Filled with 1:72-scale drawings of armored vehicles from the U.S., Britain, Canada, and Russia.