Alvis Stalwart

The Stalwart, formally classified by the British Army as Truck, High Mobility Load Carrier (HMLC), 5 Ton, 6 x 6, Alvis/Stalwart and informally known by servicemen as the Stolly, and by former RCT as the Stally,[1] is a highly mobile amphibious military truck. Built by Alvis Cars between 1963 and 1971, these vehicles served with the British Army from 1964 until 1993.[2][3]

Alvis Stalwart
A Stalwart Mk 2 in Bundeswehr colours, painted by a German enthusiast. Currently held at Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Specifications
Length6.36 m (20 ft 10 in)
Width2.62 m (8 ft 7 in)
Height2.31 m (7 ft 7 in) FV620/FV622 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) FV623/FV624
CrewDriver, and up to two passengers
Armornone
EngineRolls-Royce B81 MK 8B eight-cylinder water-cooled 6.5 l petrol engine,
Suspensionindependent torsion bars on 6 x 6 wheels
Operational
range
640 km (400 mi)
Maximum speed road speed 64 km/h (40 mph) at 4000 rpm

History

Alvis had great success with the Saracen Armoured Personnel Carrier, being produced from 1952. The Saracen having permanent 6 wheel drive, and independent parallel wishbone links and torsion bar suspension on each wheel station. Alvis then used the same suspension and drive methods to develop the Saladin armoured car, and the Salamander airfield crash tender.[4] Following the success of those vehicles, Alvis then decided to start a private venture of an off-road truck, capable of carrying 5 tons and being highly mobile. Using the hull and cab of the Salamander, Alvis created the Camion for the military and civilian market. The military, having conducted fording trials with the Saracen, asked if Camion would float. Camion is commonly known by its chassis number of PV 1 (Project Vehicle 1), and as The Beast by staff at The Alvis. While the military carried out fording trials at Instow, Alvis went away and developed PV 2. PV 2 was put through a number of trails and tests both in the UK and Sweden, and received various facelifts to the cab roof and body sides along the way. The final version of PV 2 has twin hatches and a Hiab crane, compared to the original having full length sideboards and a sliding roof hatch. PV 2 was named Stalwart. The Stalwart was adopted and entered service with the British Army in 1964 as a general transport truck in preference to the FV431, the load carrier variant of the FV430 series. The high mobility and amphibious capabilities were considered ideal for resupplying units in the field, particularly those of the British Army of the Rhine.

Design

The Stalwart is a frameless vehicle with an all welded waterproof hull - the hull is the vehicle chassis. The engine is situated under the load deck in the rear of the hull and the gearbox with transfer box and differential forward of this. The load deck is open-topped with large drop down panels on either side and rear. Waterproof seals ensure that these will not leak when in the water. The cab has the driver's position in the centre, and a seat for a passenger on the left side of the cab or either side on some models. The cab can only be entered through roof hatches. The dropping side windows are emergency escape hatches.

The Stalwart can carry 5 tonnes of stores, or tow 10 tonnes.

In the water it can be driven at about 6 knots by vectored thrust water-jet propulsion units.

The drive system, which includes the all-wheel drive, multiple gearboxes, and the water propulsion units, is complex and needed a lot of maintenance. When the amphibious qualities became unnecessary, it was common for the water jets to be removed to reduce weight and maintenance.

The Stalwart's over-terrain capabilities come from the fact that the six-wheel-drive system lacks differentials, using simple bevel gears to transmit drive. A centre mounted no-spin differential allows a certain amount of slip between the two sets of wheels on each side of the vehicle on hard surfaces, but there is no allowance for rotational speed differences between front and rear. The centre no-spin unit allows the wheels on either side of the vehicle with most grip to drive when off-road. This has the effect of making the vehicle appear to crab (move from side to side) when negotiating muddy conditions, thus making the Stalwart a true six-wheel-drive vehicle, with three wheels locked together and turning at the same speed.

However, this system causes "wind up" in the transmission (inter-component stress) as all the wheels are forced to rotate at the same speed, which during cornering is impossible.[5] This led to rapid wear and breakage of the tracta joints within the drive train if the vehicle was used on firm surfaces, such as tarmac or concrete – in off-road conditions, the natural 'slip' of a loose surface, such as mud or gravel, reduced wind up. This problem is of special concern for modern-day Stalwart owners – to get a vehicle to a show requires moving it by low-loader or driving it on the road, risking damage to the transmission. Alternatively, the front and rear driveshafts can be removed, eliminating wind up at the expense of off-road capability.

During military use, the problem of transmission wind up was solved by laying out railway sleepers (railroad ties) in a grid on flat ground and driving over them on long road moves; this allowed the transmission to unwind.[6] On more than one occasion, servicemen drove Stalwarts into car parks and used the kerbstones separating parking bays for the same purpose. Another problem with the transmission was that the vehicle was designed to be driven loaded. Driving the vehicle unloaded caused increased wear on the drivelines to the wheels as a result of the increased angle of mesh of the joints.

Specifications
  • Length = 6.35 m (20 ft 10 in)
  • Width = 2.62 m (8 ft 7 in)
  • Height = 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in) to load cover pole FV620/FV622
  • Height = 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) crane stowed FV623/FV624
  • Weight empty = 8,636 kilograms (9.520 short tons; 8.500 long tons) FV620/FV622
  • Weight fully laden = 14,224 kilograms (15.679 short tons; 13.999 long tons) FV620/FV622
  • Bridge Classification = 14
  • Weight empty = 10,515 kilograms (11.591 short tons; 10.349 long tons) FV623/FV624
  • Weight fully laden = 15,595 kilograms (17.191 short tons; 15.349 long tons) FV623/FV624
  • Bridge Classification = 15
  • Suspension = independent parallel wishbone links and torsion bars per wheel station
  • Speed = road speed 64 km/h (40 mph) at 4000 rpm
  • Fording depth prepared = amphibious to full flotation
  • Vehicle range = 640 km (400 mi)
  • Fuel consumption = 4 mpg
  • Max gradient = 21 degrees
  • Max gradient restart = 18 degrees
  • Approach angle laden = 42 degrees
  • Departure angle laden = 29 degrees
  • Side Overturn angle = 31 degrees For FV620/FV622
  • Maximum Vertical obstacle = 0.46 m (1 ft 6 in)
  • Trench crossing = 5 feet 1.52 m (5 ft 0 in)
  • Ground clearance = 0.41 m (1 ft 4 in) laden FV622
  • Turning circle = 1/R and L/H lock 15–18 m (49–59 ft)
  • Armour = none - but hull protected crews from Anti tank mines in Aden [7]
  • Engine = Rolls-Royce B81 MK 8B eight-cylinder water-cooled 6.5 l petrol engine, engine developing 220 hp (164 kW)
  • Gear box = Alvis 5 speed box.
  • Transfer box = Forward and reverse, giving 5 gears in both directions
  • Driveline - Non slip differential to bevel boxes, producing permanent 6 wheel drive.
  • Crew Driver, and up to two passengers

[8]

Variants
PV 1 - Project Vehicle 1, Camion. The predecessor to the Alvis Stalwart

Project vehicles
Alvis Camion.

A one off project vehicle that inspired the Stalwart. It consisted of an Alvis Salamander hull and cab, with the radiator still located in front of the rear mounted engine [9]

Stalwart - Project vehicle 2. The first format of the first Stalwart. Note the sliding roof hatch and full length side board
Stalwart

PV 2, or Project Vehicle 2 took note of the MOD fording trials at Instow - and noted the roof hatch being used to access the cab. The first version of PV 2 had a sliding hatch, and full length single skin sideboards. The exhaust was also at the back of the cab.[10] Numerous obvious modifications were made to PV 2, with the last one being the installation of a Hiab crane. PV 2 is seen with crane fitted in a film about the merger of Rover group and Alvis Youtube - combat Land Rover line up

Production vehicles
Mk1 Alvis Stalwart, showing the early pattern windows
Stalwart FV620
FV620

Stalwart Mk 1 load carrier. This had a Driver's and passenger's seat. The Mk 1 was used for troop movement in Aden, but the Stalwart was more regularly used for carrying Packed fuel (over 300 Jerry cans), ammunition as alternatives to the five tonnes of cargo in the UK and Germany. The majority of the Mk 1 models did not have winches fitted. Sweden mounted hydraulic winches onto the front of their Stalwarts, known as Amfibiebil. Sweden also mounted FOCO cranes on some of their vehicles, which are mounted to the left side of the cargo bay.

Alvis Stalwart Mk 1 going over a knife edge, on HMLC Driver training at Leconfield
Stalwart FV622
FV622

Stalwart Mk 2 load carrier. This had a Driver's and passenger's seat, although a third seat could be fitted to the right of the driver as a field modification. All Mk 2 have an internal hydraulic winch, which only operates through the front and is mounted below the driver. The winch type is a Morris multi-layer drum, driven by a P.T.O. mounted hydraulic pump. The winch pull is 5400 kg

Whilst the Stalwart could be used for troop movement, it was more regularly used for carrying Packed fuel (over 300 Jerry cans), ammunition, or the Gloster SARO UBRE Unit Bulk Refuelling Equipment pack as alternatives to the five tonnes of cargo. The jet drive units in all the Mk 2 variants were much more efficient, giving a claimed 9 knots.

The most obvious visible difference between Mk 1 and Mk 2 variants is that the lower edges of the cab windows were now angled downwards rather than horizontal. This was to improve visibility at close-range, particularly when being marshalled by a banksman standing nearby.
A total of 956 Mk 2 FV622, FV623 and FV624 Stalwarts were produced, of which the British Army purchased 932, with 24 sold to other countries.[11][12]

Stalwart FV623
FV623

Stalwart Mk 2 limber. An artillery ammunition supply vehicle for the Abbot self-propelled gun. There was an extra seat in the cab for the crane operator plus four rear-mounted seats for a seven-man crew. An Atlas 3001/66 hydraulic crane capable of lifting three tons was added to the cargo area to lift palletised loads of ammunition. The rear crew folding seats were separated from the main cargo area by a wooden divider, and protected from inclement weather by two folding PVC hoods on metal hoops.
When swimming on deep water when fording operations are expected, i.e. the vehicle will be subjected to full floatation, it is important that the maximum load be restricted to 3 tons 10 cwt. (3556 kg). A total of 269 Mk 2 Stalwart limbers were produced.[13]

FV624

Stalwart Mk 2 REME fitters' vehicle, based on the Mk 2 Stalwart. Two extra rear-mounted seats were added to the main cargo area for a four-man crew. An Atlas 3001 hydraulic crane capable of lifting three tons was added to the cargo area. This differed from that of the FV623 variant by having hydraulic anti-creep check valves fitted.[14] This modified crane was more stable (and safer) for lifting and holding engine, transmission, and other heavy equipment whilst manoeuvring them into position.
When swimming on deep water when fording operations are expected, i.e. the vehicle will be subjected to full floatation, it is important that the maximum load be restricted to 3 tons 10 cwt. (3556 kg). A total of 60 Mk 2 Stalwart fitters' vehicles were produced.[15]

Gan reef rescue

07ER57 (Chassis STAL 11/002, known to have been to Thailand for trials on Operation Mudlark in 1966) became 09AH16. 07ER63 became 00AG79. Both served with RAF from January 1967 to March 1976, when they were returned to the army. They were based at RAF Gan as Reef Rescue and manned by the RAF Fire fighters.[16]

Bangkok International Airport

Bangkok International Airport bought a 623 Limber version as a Rescue vehicle, in case any aircraft should end up in the water surrounding the airport. The main difference between this and every other Stalwart is the factory fitted water monitor, mounted on the roof of the cab. This is chassis number STAL 11 / 706, and currently resides at Jesada Technik Museum in Bangkok. MOD Merlin records suggest that 706 was made in the first part of 1969.[17]

Alvis Stalwart Rescue limber with water monitor - formerly of Bangkok International Airport

Identification

If you come across a Stalwart, it's always good to know the chassis number. Using the Merlin Archive and the chassis number, it is possible to know the former military registration - making it possible to know where it served, and with which units.

Each Stalwart had two chassis identification marks. A plate was fixed inside the back of the cab. Any vehicle sold to HM Forces has an aluminium plate with black sections to highlight the relevant details.

Alvis Stalwart MOD vehicle identification plate

Any vehicle sold to any other buyer has a plate with a red upper half which states Alvis Stalwart, again mounted at the back of the cab.

Alvis Stalwart identification plate, as attached to all non UK MOD vehicles

But the vehicle also has the chassis number stamped onto a raised plate on the left side of the cab. Some Mark 1s had the plate below the supported step, when the step is near the sideboard.

Alvis Stalwart Mk 1 Chassis number location, below the supported step

Some Mk 1 and all Mk 2s have the raised plate just before the front corner.

Revised Alvis Stalwart chassis number location

Operators

Military operators
Swedish "Amfibiebil 101c" (Stalwart Mk 2)

Civil operators

Private ownership

In the media
  • Captain Tankboy uses an Alvis Stalwart FV622 as his Battle Truck in the TV show, Tankboy TV (2009).[19][20]
  • A Stalwart FV623 Series 2 was featured in Children of Men (2006).[21]
  • An Alvis Stalwart FV622 was used in Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003).[22]
  • An Alvis Stalwart was also used in an episode of SeaQuest DSV (1993-1996).[23]
  • An Alvis Stalwart was also used in an episode of Bugs (1995-1999).[24]
  • An Alvis Stalwart FV622 was used in Reign of Fire (2002).[25]
  • An Alvis Stalwart FV622 with a modified payload compartment appears briefly in the opening of the 2-hour pilot episode of Firefly (known as "Serenity") during a night battle scene. Firefly (2002-2003).[26]
  • A Mk2 Stalwart (registration NOP 225F) and two Alvis Saracens are featured in Altern8's video for "E-Vapor-8", which reached #6 in the UK pop charts in 1992.
  • An Alvis Stalwart is used in the fourth Modesty Blaise novel (A Taste for Death) by the characters to escape from the Roman city of Mus and cross the Sahara to the North African coast (1969).
  • A modified Alvis Stalwart was used as a "bug out vehicle" in The Grand Tour - series 1 episode 9 (2017).[27]

Scale models
  • In 1966, Matchbox released a die-cast model (#61) in the 1–75 series.[28]
  • In 1967, Solido released a 1:50 die-cast model (Ref.214) of the "Berliet Aurochs", French version of the Stalwart.[29]
  • In 1971, Airfix released a 1:32 "Ready Made" assembled plastic model.[30]
  • In 1972, Dinky Toys released a 1:60 die-cast model, Ref 682.
  • In 2012, S&M Models released 1:76 injection-moulded plastic model kits of the FV620, FV622 and FV623, and the Gan Reef rescue.
  • In 2017, Ace Models released a 1:72 injection-moulded plastic model kit of the FV622.
  • Accurate Armour have a range of highly detailed 1:35 injection-moulded plastic model Alvis Stalwart FV620, FV622, FV623 and FV634 kits, along with UBRE kits and jerrycans
  • Kit Form Services have a range of highly detailed 1:24 injection-moulded plastic model Alvis Stalwart FV622 and FV623/634 kits

See also

Notes and references
  1. https://www.facebook.com/groups/alvis.hmlc.6.x.6.stalwart.group/permalink/2818064038231382
  2. Rue 1998, p. 2
  3. Merlin archive, released by Ministry of Defence following request on Alvis Stalwart history - FOI request for Stalwart History
  4. The Times Archives carry all the Alvis Annual meeting notes - which sets out the history and dates www.thetimes.co.uk/archive/find/Alvis+annual+meeting/w:1960-01-01~1985-01-01
  5. Ware, Pat (1994). In National Service. The Rolls-Royce 'B Series' Engine. Warehouse Publications. p. 118. ISBN 0-9525563-0-8.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  6. Ware 1994, pp. 129–130
  7. http://britains-smallwars.com/campaigns/aden/page.php?art_url=rasc
  8. Army code no 22156 User Handbook for HMLC Stalwart
  9. Rue 1998, p. 4
  10. Rue 1998, p. 7
  11. Rue 1998, p. 26
  12. Merlin MOD vehicle archive
  13. Rue 1998, p. 29
  14. Rue 1998, p. 27
  15. Rue 1998, p. 30
  16. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.2343993258971798&type=3
  17. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.2999422316762219&type=3
  18. Austrian Military Vehicle Preservation Society
  19. "Tankboy TV". Tankboy TV. Archived from the original on 21 April 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  20. "Alvis FV 622 Stalwart in "Tankboy"". Internet Movie Cars Database. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  21. "Alvis FV 623 Stalwart Series II in "Children of Men"". Internet Movie Cars Database. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  22. "Alvis FV 622 Stalwart in "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life"". Internet Movie Cars Database. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  23. "Alvis FV 620 Stalwart in "SeaQuest DSV"". Internet Movie Cars Database. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  24. "Alvis FV 622 Stalwart in "Bugs"". Internet Movie Cars Database. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  25. "Alvis FV 622 Stalwart in "Reign Of Fire"". Internet Movie Cars Database. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  26. "Alvis FV 622 Stalwart in "Firefly"". Internet Movie Cars Database. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  27. "Alvis FV 620 Stalwart in "The Grand Tour"". Internet Movie Cars Database. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  28. Lesney Matchbox 61b Alvis Stalwart - Vintage British Diecasts website (accessed 2018-05-17)
  29. Solido, Les militaires de la serie 200 - Genie Miniature website (in French) (accessed 2018-05-18)
  30. Alvis Stalwart Truck - Vintage Airfix website (accessed 2018-05-17)

Further reading
  • Gander, Terry Encyclopaedia of the Modern British Army (Patrick Stephens Limited (PSL), 1st Edition (1980) ISBN 0-85059-435-9, 2nd Edition (1982) ISBN 0-85059-577-0, 3rd Edition (1986) ISBN 0-85059-684-X
  • Rue, John L (1998), Stout, Strong and Sturdy: The Alvis Stalwart story. A Development History., Konig Verlag, ISBN 3-9805216-0-5
  • User Handbook for TRUCK, HIGH MOBILITY LOAD CARRIER (HMLC), 5 TON, 6 x 6, ALVIS/STALWART MK1 AND MK2 1968. Army Code No: 22156
  • Servicing Schedule for TRUCK, HIGH MOBILITY LOAD CARRIER (HMLC), 5 TON, 6 x 6, ALVIS/STALWART. Army Code No: 60281
  • Complete Equipment Schedule (CES) for TRUCK, CARGO, HMLC, 5 TON, 6 x 6, MK 1 ALVIS STALWART; TRUCK, CARGO, HMLC, FFR, 5 TON, 6 x 6, MK 1 ALVIS STALWART. Army Code No: 33749 (Aug. 1988)
  • Complete Equipment Schedule (CES) for TRUCK, CARGO, HMLC, W/WINCH, 5 TON, 6 x 6, MK 2 ALVIS STALWART; TRUCK, CARGO, HMLC, FFR, W/WINCH, 5 TON, 6 x 6, MK 2 ALVIS STALWART. Army Code No: 34153 (Feb. 1987)
  • Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Regulations (EMER) for TRUCK, HIGH MOBILITY LOAD CARRIER (HMLC), 5 TON, 6 x 6, ALVIS/STALWART
    • Technical Description. V 642
    • Unit Repairs. V 643
    • Field Repairs. V 644
    • Lead-acid Secondary Batteries, unit care and maintenance. J 318
    • Secondary Batteries, Field and Base maintenance and repair. J 330
    • B Series Engines. S 522
    • B81 Engines. S 522/4
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