USER

HA

ND

Sta l wa r t M k 1 & 2

BOO

Digitally reproduced from original Army documents

The Stalwart was produced by Alvis using the
principles developed for the Saracen APC. It is a sixwheeled amphibious load carrier capable of carrying
a payload of five tons over cross-country terrain and
inland waters. It came into service in the 1960s and
was used for the resupply of armoured regiments
and artillery units. Although not a true armoured
vehicle, Stalwarts design pedigree and subsequent
versatile field use within armoured units merits its
inclusion in this range of handbooks.
Stalwart is powered by a Rolls-Royce B81 petrol
engine which drives all the road wheels through a
manual five-speed synchromesh gearbox, transfer

box and bevel boxes. On full flotation, propulsion is

effected by two units driven by a power take-off on
the gearbox. Hydraulic servo-assisted steering and
brakes and torsion bar suspension are provided. A
24 volt negative earth electrical system is
incorporated which includes an alternating current
(AC) generator with a built-in rectifier unit.
Over 800 Stalwarts were manufactured in several
different variants (FV620, 622, 623 and 624) of
which the majority went to the British Army. Other
countries who either evaluated or bought vehicles
included Sweden, Germany, Austria and Italy.

The Stalwart User Handbook is in English. It consists of 280 pages with 83 colour and monochrome
illustrations giving user operating and servicing details. Details are given for Mark 1 and 2 vehicles; there
is also a supplement covering the FV623 Artillery Limber. A bonus item of the official Driving and
Maintenance Instructors Diagrams is included.

Contents
1. General Operating
Instructions
2. Loading
3. Swimming
4. Engine
5. Cooling System
6. Fuel System
7. Ignition System
8. Transmission
9. Suspension and Roadwheels
10. Steering
11. Brakes
12. Propulsion System
13. Winch
14. Electrical Equipment
15. Methods of Destruction
16. Crane
17. Crane Capacity and
Slewing Details
18. D&M Instructors Diagrams