The FV620 Stalwart Mk. 1 High-Mobility Load Carrier, introduced in 1963, is another member of the FV600 series, like the Saladin and Saracen. Despite having an FV designation, it isn’t a fighting vehicle, but rather a logistics one. It has the usual six large run-flat wheels (although it lacks the distinctive triangular stowage bins) and adds two ducted propellers to make it amphibious. Before operating in water, the swim board (which prevents the bow wave obscuring the front windows) must be unfolded from the front of the vehicle, which requires a crewman to dismount to reach it.
The cab is accessed via the roof, in order to avoid having side doors which could potentially leak while swimming. In an emergency, the side windows could be removed to form escape hatches. A series of handles on either side make climbing up the exterior fairly simple. The hatches are circular and set on the left and right, with a solid roof over the driver’s seat in the center. There is a single passenger seat on the left, with the corresponding space on the right occupied by batteries. Relatively large windows give a decent level of visibility.
The engine is located under the rear cargo bed, the floor of which hinges open to allow access. A duct at the rear of the cab brings air into the engine space, while another at the rear of the vehicle vents it well above the water line. Fire extinguishers in the engine compartment can be activated by the driver. The sides and rear of the (300 cubic feet) cargo compartment hinge down for loading and unloading and have rubber seals to keep them watertight when raised. A tarpaulin cover suspended from supports can be fitted over the cargo. The British Army recommended not carrying more than 3 tons of well-secured cargo in the water, as a maximum load brought the waterline quite close to the upper edge.
The FV622 Stalwart Mk. 2 Load Carrier (1967) had only minor changes. The cab was rearranged, adding another seat to the driver’s right (Occ 1+2) and slightly improving visibility with larger front windows. A 6-ton winch (ST 55) is added to the front of the vehicle and a 0.25-mile searchlight is mounted to the cab roof, between the hatches. The swim board is modified so that it can be unfolded from the roof hatches, and a boiling vessel (a water heater used to prepare hot drinks) is added to the cab. From 1975 the Unit Bulk Refueling Equipment module (3 tons, loaded) could be fitted into the cargo bed, holding 440 gallons of fuel.
The FV623 Stalwart Mk. 2 Limber (1967) is similar to the FV622, but adds a 3-ton crane (ST 122) behind the cab and seating for two loaders (with a PVC roof and wooden divider to give them some shelter) on either side of it. It is used as an artillery ammunition carrier.
The FV624 Stalwart Mk. 2 REME Fitters’ Vehicle has the same crane as the FV623, and two seats in the cargo area (Occ 1+5). It serves as a mobile maintenance and repair workshop for the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers mechanics, loaded with tools and spare parts.
DRIVING/TL (HEAVY WHEELED)
| TL | Vehicle | ST/HP | Hnd/SR | HT | Move | LWt. | Load | SM | Occ. | DR | Range | Cost | Loc. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | FV620 | 105 | −1/4 | 10f | 1/20 | 14.9 | 6 | +5 | 1+1 | 5 | 450 | $80k | [1][2][3] | |
| 7 | FV623 | 113 | −1/4 | 10f | 1/19 | 16 | 4.7 | +5 | 1+6 | 5 | 430 | $100k | [1][2][3] |
[1] Amphibious, water Move 1/3.
[2] Run-flat tires (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229).
[3] Fire extinguisher (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229) in engine compartment.