Vaalie’s book pays tribute to SA’s Armoured Vehicles

VANDERBIJLPARK. – Military history enthusiasts are in for a treat: A new-book titled South African Armoured Vehicles: A History of Innovation and Excellence, will be hitting the shelves during the second half of 2020.
The book is written by Vaal Triangle resident, Dr Dewald Venter and published by Helion & Company as part of its @War series. Venter, a former Hoërskool Driehoek graduate, obtained his PhD in Tourism Management from the North-West University’s main campus. He is currently a senior lecturer in Tourism Management at the Vaal University of Technology.
Venter is an internationally published academic researcher on military heritage tourism. He is a member of the SA Armour Museum Council, tasked with the preserving of South African armour heritage. As a military author, he specializes in South African armoured vehicles.
His book will take an in-depth look at 13 iconic South African armoured vehicles which include the: Eland Armoured Car, Buffel Mine Protected Vehicle, Ratel Infantry Combat Vehicle, Casspir Mine Protected Vehicle, G6-45 Rhino Self-Propelled Howitzer-Vehicle, Bateleur Multiple Rocket Launcher, Olifant Mk1A, Mk1B and Olifant Mk2 Main Battle Tank, Tank Technology Demonstrator, Rooikat Armoured Car, Mamba Mine Protected Vehicle and the brand-new Badger Infantry Combat Vehicle. Venter researched each vehicle in-depth, conducting interviews with the project managers, designers, past as well as present users and inspected each vehicle in-person to ensure accuracy.
The development of each vehicle is explored followed by a breakdown of their design features including mobility, endurance, logistics, vehicle interior layout, main armament, fire control systems and protection. Where it is applicable, the operational history and soldiers account of the vehicle are provided. Each vehicle is accompanied by a detailed illustration and table which summarizes its key specifications to serve as a quick reference. Chapters also contain several photos, most of which have never been published before in book format.
“The South African arms industry responded creatively during the 1970s and 1980s international weapons embargo to address the problems faced in the Southern African battle space. The results led to several of the most innovative and robust armoured vehicles produced anywhere in the world at the time. Decades later some of these vehicles and their lineage would be used around the world in conflict areas riddled with landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). A testament to their original innovation and design,” says Venter.
South African Armoured Vehicles: A History of Innovation and Excellence will be enjoyed by both the novice reader and the committed military enthusiast. The book seeks middle ground by providing more detail than the norm while not overwhelming the reader in the process.