Leopard security vehicle

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Leopard Security Vehicle Mk6: Rhodesia’s mine-protected APC

The Leopard Security Vehicle Mk6 (No. 594 of 700) is a Rhodesian mine-protected armored personnel carrier designed in the mid-1970s by Ernest Konschel. Built mainly to shield civilians from land-mine blasts during the Rhodesian Bush War, it predated the South African Buffel and is notable for its unusual, purpose-built shape and clamshell-style protection.

What it is like
- Weight and crew: About 1.76 tonnes (empty); sometimes listed around 2.2 tonnes. Crew typically 1 driver plus 3–4 passengers (later versions listed 1+4 or 1+5).
- Armor: Early versions used mild steel with conveyor belt layers; lower hull about 12 mm Bennox steel and upper hull mild steel. Armor was designed to protect mainly against mines, with limited protection against small arms.
- Armament: Optional 7.62 mm machine guns (e.g., FN MAG) and other crew-carried weapons. No fixed heavy armament.
- Engine and running gear: Rear-mounted air-cooled 1.6 L Volkswagen Type 1 petrol engine. Front-right driver position with a rear engine enclosure. Rear-wheel-drive, using VW Kombi front and rear sub assemblies.
- Capabilities: Maximum speed about 80 km/h on paved roads; estimated range under 300 km due to a small fuel supply.

Design and purpose
- The Leopard used a monocoque, mine-proof design to offer cost-effective protection for civilians in danger zones. Its seating consisted of fixed benches facing inward along the hull.
- It is one of the earliest attempts at a purpose-built, mine-resistant vehicle, and its rear-mounted engine and hull-integrated protection were distinctive features.

Production and use
- Produced in Rhodesia from 1975 to 1979 by Willowvale Motor Industries Ltd., with some units possibly made in South-West Africa (Namibia).
- About 700–750 Leopards were built; only a few complete examples survive today.
- While intended for civilian protection, modified versions with rear double doors were used by Rhodesian security forces, though not universally favored.

Legacy and issues
- The Leopard influenced later mine-protected designs and saw some trial work in South Africa, contributing to early generations of monocoque mine-protected vehicles.
- Practical problems included engine overheating, limited power for tough terrain, and occasional detachment of front or rear sub-assemblies. The Rhodesian Police and some security forces preferred other mine-resistant vehicles.
- Surviving Leopards are mostly in civilian hands or with Zimbabwean security forces after independence. The Imperial War Museum North’s example (Mk6) shows areas that lacked some protective features (such as an anti-grenade mesh and a canvas roof) and has been repainted in an incorrect color.