TBBX14: Marksman AA Battery

In 1983 the British electronics company, Marconi, began the development of a new antiaircraft system. The system combined Marconi’s own powerful radar for detection and tracking, with proven twin 35mm autocannons in a turret built by Vickers. The Marksman system was designed to be fitted to a variety of main battle tank hulls, including both the Chieftain and the Challenger. The first prototypes were tested in 1984 and with the war looming, the British Ministry of Defence decided to approve an emergency purchase of enough systems to provide low-level air defence for its armoured regiments in Germany.

The turret gives protection from machine-gun fire and artillery shell splinters. The 35mm main guns are stabilised so the vehicle can fire on the move. They are fed by 250 round containers, of which 20 rounds are anti-tank. The guns have a rate of fire of 18 rounds per second and an effective range is 4000m. The Marconi radar detects targets out to 12km (7.5 miles) and tracks targets from 10km (6.2 miles) out.

THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS:

• 3x plastic, resin and metal Chieftain Marksman Self-propelled AA Guns

These miniatures are supplied unassembled and unpainted