Actros - number 3

There was a third Actors hiding in the Fairview terminal that I didn't see yesterday. It emerged today, also being hauled by a Mills Western Star.

This Actors has an enclosed/tarped box and a big knuckle boom crane on the back. It was also being transported cab facing ahead, unlike yesterday's so that the Merc star is a little more visible. At one time towing trucks facing ahead was a no-no due to unwanted intake into the air filters, but I suspect if this truck was fitted out for Afghanistan it can take just about anything.

Sorry about the light pole shadow, but you don't have much choice with a one chance rolling shot.



Actros rolling out

Two Canadian military Mercedes Actros rolled out of Fairvew today after arriving by ship earlier in the week. The trucks did not roll on their own tires however. They were securely chained down to a pair of Mills Heavy Hauling's trailers and Western Star tractors.
First out was a short chassis, fifth wheel variant, presumably the tank transport version which was ordered to haul the Leopard tanks. Originally Canada rented tanks for use in Afghanistan and some Dutch tractors to haul the tanks until it could get its own.

Next out was the original type, this one with flat bed fitted. While I call these trucks, the military refers to them as the Actros Armoured Heavy Support Vehicle System. The system incorporates several different interchangeable functions on the long wheelbase chassis. The initial order was for 86 of these.

No matter what they are called, they are still impressive 8x8s.

Mighty Military Merc

The flagship of the Canadian military vehicle fleet must be the Mercedes-Benz Actros AHSVS (Armoured Heavy Support Vehicle System) This huge 8X8 truck was ordered in 2007 for delivery to Afghanistan in 2008. A total of 82 were delivered at a cost of $87mn (my math says this is more than $1mn per truck!) with an option for 26 more. 
The standard  truck has a palletized loading system (PLS) allowing it to mount dump, box and other packages. There were also other variants including wrecker/recovery, tanker, and tractor for towing tanks and howitzers.
Main featutre is the armoured cab produced in South Africa by LMT. It has proven to be resistant to mines and improvised explosive devices. The engine is a Mercedes twin-turbo producinig 503 bhp and it has an automatic transmission. It is definitely an off road vehicle built to ford rivers, but can achieve 88 kph on roads.
Following Canada's mission in Afghanistan the remaining units were to be returned to Canada for storage.
The three trucks recently delivered in the port of Halifax appear to be brand new, so these are likely part of the option order.

1. Front of cab has Mercedes symbol in grille.

2. Mills Heavy Hauling uses a mighty Mack to haul the mighty Merc.

3. A gantry crane and hydraulic tongue are used to load and work the various packages the truck can carry.  

4. One big truck

To see these might Mercs in action see the beautifully produced video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djzRWIhiD00
For more specs and photos see:

http://www.casr.ca/bg-ahsvs-project-actros.htm

Canadian tanks leave Halifax

1. Fourteen tanks in a row, were landed in Halifax earlier in the week at the Fairview Cove terminal, in the background, and loaded on rail cars to head west.

2. This is the first tank on the left from the photo above.

3. This is the second tank from the left from the top photo.

Fourteen Canadian tanks left Halifax by train Friday, probably destined for Wainwright, AB. Tanks going to Gagetown, NB would go by truck. As loaded on the rail cars they have their turrets facing backwards, away from the direction of travel.

I only managed to glimpse them briefly before the snows came on and so I have little to add to the photos, except that Canada has opted for the German Leopard tank, purchased from the Netherlands. They are acquiring 100 tanks to form 5 groups of twenty.

Canadian Military Vehicles

Three types of Canadian military vehicles were parked at Debert, NS on Sunday.

The LSVW (Light Support Vehicle, Wheeled) is an Iveco 40.1, used by many NATO countries. The Canadian version was built by Western Star starting in 1993. Some 2800 of these were built. Two of these units can be carried on a Hercules transport plane. [see also April 13]

On the left is the newest Canadian MSV (Military Support Vehicle) called the MILCOTS (Militarized Commercial off the Shelf) It is a Navistar 7400 SFA, 6x6. For once, it is not built in Canada. Instead International opted to build them in Garland TX. Although based on a commercial model, International stated that they were not suitable for assembly line production in the Chatham, ON plant. (Soon after the contract was awarded, International laid off people at the Chatham plant, which had also received large government funding.)

Some 1300 will be supplied in several variants. These trucks are not armoured, and will not serve overseas. [see also April 15]

The old standby LVW (Medium Logistics Vehicle Wheeled) 6X6 based on the US M35 is the backbone of Canadian land forces. Although a 1950s design, they were introduced in 1982 and some 2700 were built by Bombardier. They may be replaced in 2011 to 2012 due to the wear and tear of overseas service.

Western Star 4x4s and 6x6s

Trying unsuccessfully to hide amongst some logging trailers, this big 6x6 has the trademark Canadian roof rack on the cab, and a tool box behind. 2000 photo.

These nifty little 4x4s were on a rail flatcar and have only the tool box. 1995 photo.

Western Star, in its Canadian days, built numerous government vehicles, including this collection for the Canadian military and Department of Transport.

With the Daimler takeover, all production was moved from Kelowna, BC to Portland, Or.

New Binders for the Canadian Forces

The land element of the Canadian Forces (this would be the Army) has acquired a whole mess of International heavy trucks to replace their older crop of Steyrs and even older things.

Navistar has retrieved the International portion of their brand name, but has dropped Harvester and the IH interlocked emblem. Nevertheless those of the historic realm will still know Internationals as "binders" - short for cornbinders.

The International/ Navistar emblem is well concealed by the brush bars, but can be spotted on close inspection.

This early evening shot-complete with utility pole shadow, shows a few of the typical Canadian truck fixtures, most particularly the cab roof rack.

Just for contrast here's a photo of the best known Canadian military vehicle the CMP (Canadian Military pattern) of World War II. This one is a Chev, fitted with a communication body, and still going strong for the St.Lawrence Seaway Authority in 1972. Why it was in Halifax I don't know!