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Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) III Series


Specifications

Country of Origin/Used by: Canada and Colombia
First Produced/Service Dates: 1999
Manufactured by: General Dynamics Land Systems -Canada
Crew: 3+7
Armament:

Turret: M242 25mm Bushmaster Cannon; Co-Axial: (1) C6 7.62mm Machine Gun; Pintle Mounted: (1) C9 5.56mm or C6 7.62mm MG.

Engine: 6 Cylinder Turbo-Diesel
Miscellaneous Info:

The Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) III is based upon the Swiss MOWAG Piranha IIIH Series and is much larger than earlier MOWAG designs including the Canadian Bison APC, Coyote Recon Vehicle and USMC LAV 25.  The LAV III is 379 inches long, 104 inches wide, and 85 inches high and weighs in at about 35,000 lb. The US Army's Stryker IFV Series is also based upon the LAV III design, although they look very different since they lack the LAV III's turret. In addition, the NZLAV Infantry Mobility Vehicle is almost identical to the LAV III except for sundry differences based upon New Zealand's unique needs.  Some references refer to the LAV III as the "Kodiak" but that is incorrect.

Other Canadian LAV III variants are the Command Post Vehicle, Engineer (ELAV), Infantry Section Carrier (Surplus TUA vehicles with Nanuk Remote Weapons System), Observation Post Vehicle and Tow Under Armor (TUA) Anti-Tank Vehicle.  A major improvement program was undertaken in 2009 to counter the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's).  The LAV Operational Requirement Integration Task (LORIT) program fitted some LAV III's with new underbody and side armor, protected external turret weapons stations and blast mitigating seating.  The latest incarnation of this vehicle series, the LAV III Upgrade (LAV UP)/ LAV 6.0, has been modified to such an extent that it is is an almost completely different vehicle.  Colombia also operates a approximately 30 LAV III's although they are not armed with a turret, but instead mount a Samson Remote Control Weapon Station.

Data Sheet Available:   LAV III Sales Brochure (General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada)

Photos

Reference Source/Provider
LAV III Photos Anonymous WarWheels Supporter
LAV III Photos Neil Baumgardner - Arlington, Virginia USA
LAV III Photos The Canadian Army
LAV III Photos General Dynamics Land Systems -Canada
LAV III Photos Steve Hearn - Southampton, Ontario Canada
LAV III Photos National Defence & the Canadian Armed Forces
   Colombian LAV III Photo General Dynamics Land Systems -Canada

References Available

Online

Reference Source/Provider
LAV III Information and Photos The Canadian Army
LAV III Information and Photos General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada Website
LAV III Information and Photos Military-Today.com

Printed

Reference Author
Armored Car- A History of American Wheeled Combat Vehicles R.J. Hunnicutt
Canadian LAV III/Coyote/Bison Series AFV's Photo Reference CD-ROM JK "Ken" LeClair (available directly from author via e-mail)
Canadian LAV III in Afghanistan (Modeler Photo Assistant Series - MPA 001) (Real Models)

Book Review by Erik Hendriks

Anthony Sewards and Miroslav Hraban
Canadian Wheeled Project: LAV III DVD Anthony Sewards
ISAF Vehicles in Afghanistan: 2007 (Kabul and Kandahar Areas) - Mushroom Model Publications

Book Review by Patrick Keenan

Dick Taylor
LAV & Piranha: The Extended Family (Concord Mini-Color Series) Gordon Arthur & Steve Hearn
MOWAG Piranha: Wheeled Armour for the Modern Battlefield Stefan Marx (Tankograd Publishing)
Stryker Interim Combat Vehicle: The Stryker and LAV III in US and Canadian Service, 1999-2020 (Pen & Sword)

Book Review by Don Allen

David Grummitt
Vehicules Blindes de Combat Roues (Wheeled Armored Fighting Vehicles) 8x8 (Histoire & Collections) Youri Obraztsov

Hobby Modeling

Kits and Accessories

Model Kit Manufacturer Scale Other Information
LAV III APC Model Kit (1519) Trumpeter 1/35 Injection Molded Plastic
LAV III TUA Model Kit (1558) Trumpeter 1/35 Injection Molded Plastic
       
Aftermarket Set Manufacturer Scale Other Information

Canadian LAV III Accessories (T35033)

Black Dog

1/35

For Trumpeter Model Kit

Canadian LAV III Lorit Accessories Set (T35053)

Black Dog

1/35

For Trumpeter Model Kit

LAV Mirrors (357132)

Echelon Fine Details

1/35

For Trumpeter Model Kits; "Peel and Stick" Series.

Stryker/LAV-III Sagged Wheel Set (DW35010)

DEF Model

1/35

Resin; For Trumpeter Model Kit.

Canadian LAV III Weighted Wheel Set (ER35-012)

ET Models

1/35

Resin; For Trumpeter Model Kit

Canadian LAV III Detail Set (T35-050)

ET Models

1/35

Photo Etched Brass; For Trumpeter Model Kit

Canadian LAV III TUA Detail Set (T35-055)

ET Models

1/35

Photo Etched Brass; For Trumpeter Model Kit

LAV III/Stryker Tire Set (MLM 1034) Maple Leaf Models 1/35 Resin.
LAV III/Stryker Spare Wheel Set (MLM 1033) Maple Leaf Models 1/35 Resin.
LAV III Update Set and Blast Shield (RMA 35192) REAL Model 1/35 Resin/Photo Etch; For converted AFV Club Stryker model kit?
LAV III Update Set (RMA 35214) REAL Model 1/35 Resin/Photo-Etch; For Trumpeter model kit.
Canadian LAV III LORIT Conversion set (RM35144) REAL Model 1/35 Multi-Media. For AFV Club Stryker model Kit
Canadian LAV III LORIT Conversion Set (RMA 35215) REAL Model 1/35 Resin/Photo-Etch; For Trumpeter model kit.
Canadian LAV III C&C Conversion Set (RMA 35217) REAL Model 1/35 Resin/Photo-Etch; For Trumpeter model kit.
LAV Stowage Set (RMA 35140) REAL Model 1/35 Resin; Looks like it can be used on any LAV or even on most modern vehicles.
LAV III IBAK- Belly Armor detail set (RMA 35222) REAL Model 1/35 Resin/Photo-Etch; For converted AFV Club Stryker model kit?
LAV III IBAK- Belly Armor detail set (RMA 35247) REAL Model 1/35 Resin/Photo-Etch; For Trumpeter kit.
LAV III Family Wheel Set  (RMA 35275) REAL Model 1/35 Resin; For Trumpeter kit.
Canadian LAVIII Detail Set (PE 35398) Voyager Models 1/35 Photo-Etch; For Trumpeter Kit.
Canadian LAVIII TUA Detail Set (PE 35399) Voyager Models 1/35 Photo-Etch; For Trumpeter Kit.
Canadian LAVIII Wheels (PEA229) Voyager Models 1/35 Resin.
Canadian LAVIII Family Stowage Bin (PEA239) Voyager Models 1/35  
Canadian LAVIII Turret Weapon Set (VBS0160) Voyager Models 1/35 Multi-Media.

Model Photos

Reference Source/Provider
1/35 Trumpeter Canadian/UN LAV III APC Model Kit Photos Wayne Cassell - Littleton, Colorado USA
1/35 Trumpeter LAV III APC Model Kit Photos Sean Lynch - Lockport, Illinois USA