Alvis FV104 Samaritan

Alvis FV104 The Story of the Samaritan

The FV104 Samaritan is an Armored Battlefield Ambulance (ABA) variant of the Light Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV) family of "Scorpion" CVRTs ("Tracked Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance"). Based on the same chassis and improved hull structure, the Samaritan is equipped to carry up to 6 casualties or 3 stretchers to transport them to safety.

The FV104 Samaritan pedigree brings speed and agility, and its relatively low profile profile makes it an ideal medical evacuation system. It only requires a crew of two and has proven to be a welcome addition to the Scorpion family.

Externally, the Samaritan has a very unique look compared to the original Scorpion, although this is mainly due to the solid armored superstructure. Glacis panels slope well and lead to the sloping forward hull panels of the superstructure. The landing gear consists of five road wheels on one side of the track, with the drive sprocket at the front and the track idler at the rear.

Track deflection rollers are not used in this arrangement. Access is through a large rectangular door in the rear of the fuselage - the door hinge is on the right. The driver is located under an entry/exit hatch in the front left of the fuselage. Along the superstructure roof is a second hatch for the vehicle commander. Power is provided by a 190-horsepower Cummins BTA 6-cylinder diesel engine.

The engine is located on the right side of the front of the fuselage.

While not directly armed, the Samaritan consists of a set of four smoke grenade launchers on the right side of the vehicle's front fender. Crew members can use personal weapons.

The British Army made about 50 examples of Samaritans, making them the only such operators in the world.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

None.

Changes