Tracked Rapier RCM748 – Walk Around

The initial proposal for the system was to simply mount the towed launcher, (less its running gear) and its petrol generator set on the flat bed of the M548 carrier. When this was shown to Mr G.R. Jefferson, the GW Managing Director, he was not very impressed. Aware of the amount of money available, he required a much more extensive change. Greville Beale and Adrian Pollicutt led development of a very significant new arrangement was produced in quite a short period. This included significant changes to the M548 vehicle to armour the vehicle, now designated RCM 748, and to incorporate a new diesel-powered generator set using the Coventry Climax H 30 engine (as used as the auxiliary power unit in the Chieftain tank). The majority of the electronic equipment in the launcher was not changed significantly from that used in the towed version. However, a completely redesigned armoured launcher with the capability of loading eight missiles was produced which was mounted via anti-vibration mounts to the flat bed of the vehicle. The armoured cab was provided with pan-climatic heating/cooling and NBC protection.

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