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Acorn/Iron Eagle/Scarab

Scout Car

Specifications

Country of Origin/Used by:	South Africa (Iron Eagle) & Great Britain (Acorn/Scarab)
First Produced/Service Dates:	Early 1990's through Early 2000's.
Manufactured by:	Iron Eagle: Mechem Vehicles Acorn/Scarab: Alvis PLC
Crew:	3
Armament:	Pintle Mounted 7.62mm machine gun or .50 cal heavy MG
Engine:	6 Cylinder Diesel
Miscellaneous Info:	The initial vehicle was named the Iron Eagle (Ysterarend) and designed as an air-droppable mine protected scout/reconnaissance vehicle by South African company Mechem Vehicles. Only two prototypes were built before Mechem cancelled the program due to a myriad of problems, a serious one being poor handling/driving characteristics.  However, British company Alvis PLC saw potential in the Iron Eagle, specifically it being a possible replacement to the venerable Ferret Scout Car.  They then obtained one of the prototypes, corrected/improved the vehicle and renamed it the Acorn (first) and then Scarab (later). Subsequent changes/improvements led to the Scarab 2 and Scarab 3, which also resulted in larger/heavier vehicles. Ultimately, the Scarab series was never put into production despite proving itself very capable during its multiple tests/trials (including Bosnia and Portugal).
Data Sheet Available:	None Available

Photos

References Available

Online

Printed

Reference	Author
"Missing Link" - January 2011 Issue of Miltiary Machines International Magazine	Ian Young
Surviving The Ride: A Pictorial History of South African Manufactured Mine-Protected Vehicles (30 Degrees South Publications)	Steve Camp & Helmoed-Romer Heitman
"Tough As A Nut" - May 2015 Issue of Classic Miltiary Vehicle Magazine	John Norris

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