- Yes
- No
Introduction
The Hotspur Sandringham 6x6 was a modified version of the Land Rover Series III Stage I, designed to improve payload capacity, traction, and off-road performance. Developed by Hotspur Armoured Products Ltd, it retained the reliability of the standard long-wheelbase Land Rover but offered a doubled payload of 2000 kg, better braking power, and lower ground pressure thanks to its six-wheel drive. The Sandringham 6 was built for military, government, and commercial use, with different configurations such as armoured personnel carriers, logistics vehicles, lifting vehicles, and emergency service vehicles. The armoured version provided protection against small arms fire with reinforced steel plating, gun ports, and the option for roof or bed mounted weaponry.
First shown at the British Army Equipment Exhibition, Aldershot, in 1980, the Hotspur Sandringham 6x6 was designed to be air-portable, making it ideal for transporting troops, towing light artillery, and carrying anti-tank or surface-to-air missiles. Military versions typically came with a canvas tilt and a drop-side flatbed to accommodate NATO pallets, while commercial models were used for heavy-duty transport and utilities work. With permanent six-wheel drive, upgraded suspension, and compatibility with standard Land Rover parts, and having undergone 2 and a half years of testing in the UK and the Middle East, it offered a practical and cost-effective solution for a wide range of applications in both defense and industry.
The Rheinmetall RH-202 is a 20mm autocannon developed by West Germany in the 60s and 70s as a lightweight, high-rate-of-fire weapon for armoured vehicles and air defence. Like many German weapons designed during this period of time, it was reliable and effective, making it a popular choice for West German (and export customers) armoured personnel carriers, light vehicles, anti-aircraft, as well as aircraft mounts. It saw widespread use on vehicles like the Marder IFV and the Wiesel, as well as in static air defence roles.
The exact history of the combining of the Hotspur Sandringham 6x6 and the Rh 202 is spotty, to say the least. What is known for certain is during the 1980s, most likely at BAEE Aldershot 1980 or 1982, when both systems were in their infancy, Hotspur exhibited the 6x6 with the twin Rh 202 mount in order to showcase the versatility of the system to potential customers, both foreign and domestic. This is what happened with a very similar vehicle from the exact same period of British industry, the Laird Centaur Air Defence. While the exact combination of chassis and turret did not see any direct customers, the Rh 202 went on to be massively successful, with the Hotspur Sandringham 6x6 enjoying moderate success on the domestic markets.
Specifications
Images
Spoiler
Rh 202 on a ground mount
Hotspur Sandringham 6x6 as an APC
Hotspur Sandringham 6x6 as a utilities truck
Hotspur Sandringham 6x6 as a lifting truck
Sources
Spoiler
Hotspur Sandringham 6x6 (125inch) Brochure
