FV432 Mk1 – Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC)
The FV432 Mk1 is one of the most iconic and widely used armoured personnel carriers in British military history, and we’re proud to have one of these legendary vehicles in our collection at The Armed Forces Museum. The vehicle pictured here carries the service number 06 EA 50 and has a long and well-traveled service history, having seen extensive duty with the British Army both at home and abroad.
A Lifetime of Service
This particular FV432 entered service on December 1, 1964, and remained active for nearly 30 years before being retired on September 26, 1993. During its operational life, it made four separate deployments between the UK and BATUS (British Army Training Unit Suffield) in Alberta, Canada. Eventually, it was retired out of BATUS and remained in Canada, where it now forms a key part of our historic vehicle restoration and display program.
The FV432 was designed as part of the British Army’s FV430 series and served primarily as an APC, capable of carrying up to 10 troops and their equipment in combat zones. Its all-steel, tracked design provided a balance between protection, mobility, and adaptability. Many variants were created based on this chassis, including command vehicles, recovery versions, mortar carriers, and more.
Vehicle Specifications
Designation: FV432 Mk1 Armoured Personnel Carrier
Crew: 2 (Commander and Driver) + up to 10 troops
Engine: Rolls-Royce 6.5 liter – Straight 8 Cylinder B81
Weight: ~15 tonnes (combat loaded)
Speed: Up to 52 km/h (32 mph)
Range: Approx. 580 km (360 miles)
Armament: Typically fitted with a pintle-mounted L7 GPMG (not present on all units)
Armor: Rolled steel armor, providing protection against small arms fire and shell splinters
Current Condition & Restoration
Our FV432 Mk1 is shown here in unrestored condition, bearing the marks of time and decades of service. It remains structurally intact, complete with its original markings and fixtures, and is stored in a secure, dry environment to preserve its historical integrity while awaiting restoration.
This vehicle is an important part of Cold War-era British armoured doctrine and served not only in front-line roles but also in support and training capacities – particularly at BATUS, where it played a critical part in the preparation of British armoured forces for global operations.
Legacy
Having traversed the Atlantic multiple times and served in a key NATO training ground, this FV432 has earned its place as a veteran of one of the longest-serving vehicle platforms in British military service. It stands as a tangible connection to the thousands of troops it carried and the evolving role of mechanized infantry during the Cold War and beyond.