- Yes
- No
- BeNeLux
- Great Britain
- Other / I don’t know
- I said no
The Vickers Valkyr was an improved variant of the BDX APC, it being a Belgian license-built version of the Irish Timoney APC. Initially designed as the BDX Mk II by Beherman-Demoen, Vickers then teamed up with them, finished the design and built several prototypes of what was now the Valkyr.
It was tested extensively in the UK, Belgium, and to a lesser extent in the middle east.
Two base versions of the Valkyr existed, only differing in roof height. The higher roofed one being used as APCs, while the other could be used as a FSV.
Several turrets were tested on the FSV variant, ranging from ATGM turrets to twin 7.62 mm remote-controlled turrets, as well as 20 or 25 mm autocannons, 81 mm mortars, 90 mm guns etc.
With this history you might be a bit confused; is this Irish, British, Belgian…?
Basically, it’s a Belgian-British evolution of a Belgian-built Irish design.
And in this suggestion, i will focus on a Belgian version of this vehicle, fitted with a Cockerill CM 90 turret and tested in 1984 in Belgium.
This vehicle is a Valkyr trial just as much as it is a CM 90 trial, both components being brand new at the time. The CM 90 turret doesn’t do armor, but that doesn’t stop it from being a significant threat to armored vehicles.
It is fitted with a Cockerill Mk 3 cannon firing HEAT-FS shells penetrating up to 330 mm of RHA as well as other HESH, HE and smoke shells.
It also has a coaxial and a pintle-mounted machine guns for more flexibility, as well as 16 smoke grenade launcher in case things get spicy.
Optional equipment include a laser rangefinder and night vision devices.
Valkyr CM 90
Specifications
Armament:
90 mm Cockerill Mk III cannon (ammo: 12 + hull stowage)
- M620A1 HEAT-FS: 250 mm RHA, 890 m/s
- NR 478 HEAT-FS: 300 mm RHA, 890 m/s
- NR 220 HEAT-FS: 330 mm RHA, 700 m/s
- M625A1 HESH: 102 mm RHA, 800 m/s
- M618A1 Smoke: 714 m/s
Reloading rate: Unknown, around 8.7 s
2 x 7.62 mm machine guns (ammo: coaxial: 400, cupola: 200)
Vertical guidance: -10 / 30° at 30°/s
16 x smoke grenade launcher
Stabiliser: no
Laser rangefinder: optional
Night vision sights: optional
Armor:
All-round protection against 7.62 mm AP
Mobility:
4-53T 6-cylinder engine (180 hp)
Max. speed: 100 km/h (amphibious)
Power to weight ratio: ~13 hp per ton
Crew:
3 (Driver, Commander, Gunner)
Dimensions:
Mass: ~13 t
Length: 5.6 m
Width: 2.5 m
Essentially, this is a bit like the child of the Ratel 90 and the AUBL/74 while being slightly better than both, as it’s smaller than the former but has a better turret than the latter.
It is amphibious, fast and packs a decent punch, there’s no reason why this couldn’t be a fun addition to War Thunder! (well except for the armor, but everyone knows no armor is best armor)
I am suggesting this as a Belgian vehicle as they would be the operating country, this specific vehicle being tested by Belgians in Belgium, but it could obviously find its way to the British tree as they famously lack light vehicles, although they could get less prototype-y vehicles first.
Lemme know what you think!
