Rapier tracked launch vehicle

[Flying10uk]

The following information is my understanding from the information board for this vehicle at the Muckleburgh Military Collection, North Norfolk.

This interesting vehicle was originally intended for export to Iran but a sudden change in government of that country, in the late 1970's, meant that the order was cancelled by the UK government before any were delivered. They were used for some years by UK armed forces before being made "surplus to requirements" and sold off but, in true British style, it was realised that a mistake had been made and some were required for the first Gulf war. Amends were attempted, by the repurchase from private ownership of some vehicles, followed by reconditioning, only for it to be realised that the vehicles were not required after all. Therefore, they were sold off, as surplus" for a second time.

Information

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[Gil Boyd]

Nothing amazes me anymore, when I see brand new kit sold off even today at rock bottom prices to whoever wants it.........................MOD should be held accountable for all this waste of tax payers money.

Brand new armoured Range Rovers for £20K when they cost over £300K to build as an example..............hanging offence in my day, appalling and probably why 5000 civilian employees were laid off at MOD Abbey Wood a couple of years ago!!
When you consider you can buy an upgraded Land Rover "snatch" vehicle for £6K when almost £40K was spent upgrading them for Afghanistan is an indicator!!! Who wants an APC cheap loads for sale?

[mrclark303]

What chassis is this vehicle built on guys, M113?

With you on the eye watering waste of money Gil.

I've a mate working as a traveling engineer, his company makes very high end measuring and calibration equipment for industry, lots of defence contractors among their clients.

The MOD throw tax payers money away in very large quantities indeed.
One great example he relayed to me was a sub contractor company manufacturing certain component parts used in the refurbishment and overhaul of Tornado GR4's.

This batch of parts was manufactured ... and not picked up ... Calls made, no one remotely interested at the MOD.

Time passed....

The upshot was a second batch were ordered and delivered...!

A 'lot' of waisted tax payers money, no one at the MOD interested, no one taking responsibility or showing any initiative...

They wouldn't survive for bloody 5 minutes in the private sector without getting sacked!

One of many examples he has seen on his travels.

Back to the tracked Rapiers, I would imagine they were sold under the export credit guarantee system, so Joe taxpayer underwrote the total cost anyway when the arms ban to Iran came into force, so the Army might as well have found a use for them!

Just like the 12 Jaguar fighter bombers we sold to Nigeria ... And we paid for them too ... You couldn't make it it up...

[matthanne1]

That RACAL Jaguar in the background brings back memories. Had them in our M557s in Berlin so that we could keep things hopping.

[Flying10uk]

The Muckleburgh Military Collection have quite a reasonable and interesting collection of small arms, even in the canteen. Before anyone gets too excited, captions in the display cases state that all are certified deactivated.

[browningautorifle]

all are certified deactivated.

Doesn't matter, I think that's the direction of it all eventually anyway. At least they're there to see. I'll bet you'd have that one...and the others.

[Gil Boyd]

UK Policy I'm afraid. All our weapons in our museum at IWM Duxford are ALL deactivated and rightly so IMHO.
They are behind armoured glass but it is to only way to go when all they are really are objects with a history never to be fired again...........so why not?

[mrclark303]

Does the same go for IWM London Gil?

I guess it's only the MOD controlled collections,
(Leeds Royal Armoury too) that keep live collections these days.

Both with very strictly controlled public access by appointment, and quite rightly too in this day and age.

[Gil Boyd]

Yes ALL weapons in their possession including artillery are spiked in accordance with Firearms policy nationally, but I am sure there will be some pieces through logistics and cost have slipped through the net, due to their secure location which are accepted as such!!