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FV222 VIXEN |
| Tucked away in one of the workshop sheds is what is believed to be the only surviving example of Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Wheeled) Vixen; to be more specific it is 03SP85, prototype V3, which is shown below. |
Tank Museum photo No. 1359/B/1 |
Vixen was introduced at the same time as Fox, the armoured car, and had the same automotive layout; the Jaguar XK series engine, gearbox and final drive. Fox entered service as a wheeled counterpart to Scorpion and Scimitar, revealing that the endless argument concerning the relative merits of wheels or tracks on a reconnaissance vehicle remained unresolved, as indeed it still is.
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Tank Museum photo No. 4424/D/2 |
Vixen, on the other hand was dropped in the 1974 Defence Cuts so only a handful of prototypes were ever built. Vixen was intended to replace the Ferret 1/2 in the infantry liaison role although stowage trials were also carried out to suit it for service with the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers. Indeed this picture of 03SP84, prototype V2 shows it with an experimental front mounted winch.
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Tank Museum photo No. 6010/C/6 |
Whether the authorities changed their minds later on or not is not at all clear but there must be some link with this strange vehicle, which appears to be a modified prototype Fox. It has the same type of one-man turret and the hull apparently built out over the wings although in this case it compromises the folding flotation screen.
Vixen was designed to carry a regular crew of two, driver and gunner/commander but with space for two passengers, one on each side and each with his own hatch. This modified Fox does not appear to have room for the extra crew, but it may be in the development stage.
Can anyone tell us any more about it?
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