Airfix A1385 1/35 Alvis FV603 Saracen Mk5

This 1:35 scale model of the Alvis FV603 Saracen Mk.5 is an impressive kit comprising 219 pieces, offering modellers at skill level 3 a challenging and rewarding project with ample scope for detailed customisation.

Crafted by the renowned Alvis Company of Coventry, the Saracen armoured personnel carrier was prioritised for production in the late 1940s due to the urgent situation in Malaya. With a crew of two, the FV603 could accommodate ten soldiers in its rear section, with the commander and wireless operator sitting behind the driver, facing forward, while eight soldiers sat opposite each other in two rows along the armoured sides.

Key Features

• 1:35 scale model with 219 plastic pieces
• Skill level 3 build suitable for ages 8 and above
• Three authentic paint schemes representing Cold War era service
• Highly detailed armoured personnel carrier design
• Opportunity to add extensive detail throughout the build

History

The Alvis Company of Coventry was known for producing prestigious cars in the 1930s, so when they started manufacturing an Armoured Personnel Carrier for the British Army in the late 1940s, it was expected to be both capable and of high quality. Originally planning to produce the Saladin armoured car, the urgent situation in Malaya shifted focus to the FV603 Saracen armoured personnel carrier.

Renowned for its excellent off-road capabilities, the Saracen is often associated with images of it patrolling urban areas worldwide, rather than engaging in traditional battlefield scenarios.