Premier Fine Art & Antiques Auction
August 29, 2023
Below is just a small portion of the massive selection of high quality art & antiques to be featured in our upcoming August 29th 2023 auction! This auction will span multiple genres of collectibles, including Fine Paintings & Art, Jewelry & Silver, Orientalia, Rare Glass & Lamps, Early & Victorian Furniture, Decoys, Carvings, Coin-Op, & MORE!
EXTREMELY RARE BRITISH FV102 STRIKER ATGM CARRIER
02-17438
The FV102 Striker is a British member of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance, Tracked classification “CVR(T)” designed as an Anti-Tank Guided Missile “ATGM” carrier, specifically for the Swingfire Guided Missile System. There were a total of only 48 ordered in this configuration, & we believe this is the only example to be imported into the United States.
Each FV102 Striker is originally loaded with 5 missiles, ready for immediate deployment in the launcher, and 5 more on board for reloading. The Striker Swingfire anti-tank guided missile launcher is boxed on the rear of the body. When needed, the launch box is elevated 35-degrees and the missiles are fired over the front of the vehicle. They are wire-guided missiles where the gunner has to keep his sights on the target and and control it with a small joystick. It is fitted with eight smoke grenade dischargers, in two clusters of four, on each side. It is fitted with a turret and mount for a 7.62mm L7 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), the British variant of the Belgian FN MAG. It could be operated directly, or remotely, under cover, from inside of the Striker through a solenoid trigger mechanism and linkage to control traverse and elevation. Its ammunition capacity was 3000 rounds.
The FV102 carries a crew of 3, with speed and agility being a top priority. The Striker engines were initially a Jaguar 4.2 liter burning gasoline, and producing approximately 190 horsepower. Later in production the engines were replaced with a Cummings 5.9 liter diesel. Armor is aluminum instead of steel, for lighter weight and mobility, allowing a top speed of 50Mph with a range of 300 miles, and still providing protection from small arms fire and fragmentation. The striker first entered service in 1976 with the Royal Artillery Anti-tank Guided Missile Batteries, later being fielded by the British during Operation Iraqi Freedom, following Saddam Hussein’s ordered invasion of Kuwait.
PROVENANCE: The Littlefield Collection. This was part of the 2014 sale in Portola Valley, California.
SPECIFICATIONS (As Originally Delivered from Manufacturer): Weight: 9.1-tons (8,346-kg). Length: 15′ 8” (4.8-m). Width: 7′ 4” (2.40-m). Height: 7′ 6” (2.28-m). Crew: 3. Armor: Welded aluminum up to .5” (13-mm) thick. Weapons: Primary: 5x Swingfire anti-tank guided missile launcher boxes. Secondary: 1x 7.62-mm L7 GPMG. Ammunition: 10x Swingfire missiles including 5 in the launchers and 5 reloads. 3,000x 7.62-mm. Engine: Jaguar J60 4.2-liter 6-cylinder gasoline, 190-hp.Power/weight: 20.8-hp/ton. Fuel Capacity: 92-USG (350-l). Range: 300-miles (483-km). Speed: 50-mph (80-km/h)
