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Ratel 12.7 Command Vehicle

Variant Specifications*

First Produced/Service Dates:	1979-1980
Crew:	3+6
Armament:	Main: 12.7mm Browning Heavy Machine Gun: Anti-Aircraft (Right Rear): 7.62mm Browning M1919 MG (BMG). Some sources state there was also a co-axial 7.62mm BMG fitted in the turret. However, this is incorrect. Dummy barrels were mounted instead and probably caused this confusion.
Miscellaneous Info:	The primary purpose of the Ratel Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) series was to produce an indigenous South African built Infantry Fighting Vehicle. The result was the main series variant, the Ratel 20 ICV.  All other series variants stem from this vehicle, including the Ratel 12.7 Command Vehicle (CV). The purpose of this variant was to provide a dedicated vehicle to assist commanders and Artillery Forward Observer Officers in their duties. 195 were built over its lifetime in the Mark 2 & 3 configurations. Although the introduction of the Ratel 20 CV was successful, it was determined that an improved command vehicle could be built, which eliminated the main drawbacks of that new variant. Those deficiencies were, limited space in the turret due to the size of the 20mm cannon, a reliable air-conditioning system and radio communications. Improvements were thusly made, most visibly the removal of the 20mm cannon and 7.62mm co-axial machine gun. These were replaced by 12.7mm heavy machine gun. Like the Ratel 20 and 60 CV's, the new 12.7 CV also used the specialized command hull which included an (improved) air conditioning system, the fitting of map boards/working tables, better lighting and additional (improved) communications equipment.  However, the turret was a modified design based upon the one mounted on the Ratel 60 ICV. Surprisingly the more comfortable seating in the previous command vehicle versions were not added due to them supposedly taking up too much space. *For specifications common to all variants in this series of vehicles, go to our Warwheels.net Ratel Index.
Data Sheet Available:	None Available

Photos

Reference	Source/Provider
Ratel 12.7 Command Vehicle Photos	Chris Baxter - Owner of BaxMod
Ratel 12.7 Command Vehicle Photos	South African National Defence Force
Ratel 12.7 Command Vehicle Photos	Marius van Aardt - South Africa

References Available

Online

Model Photos

For information common to all variants in this series of vehicles, go to our

WarWheels.Net Ratel Index