Saladin Armoured Car Presentation Model, 1971

Saladin Armoured Car Presentation Model, 1971.

Overall: 12.5cm (5in) x 21.5 cm (8.5in) x 12cm (4.7in)

Silver model as a British Saladin armoured car, mounted on an ebonised base applied with a silver plaque inscribed 'Presented by Phoebus to John Batchelor to celebrate the sale of 10 million copies of Purnell's History of the World Wars Series, Nov. 10. 1976', Length of model: 15cm (5.9in). Maker’s mark of Garrard & Co Ltd, 112 Regent Street, London. Hallmarked London 1971.

The present model was presented to the illustrator John Batchelor MBE (1936-2019) by the publishing house Phoebus for his contribution to the success of Purnell’s illustrated histories of the world wars. Launched in 1966 under the overall editorship of Sir Basil Liddell-Hart, the series gathered contributions from eminent historians including John Keegan, Alan Clark, Anthony Brett-James and AJP Taylor. It also obtained accounts from former combatants including Nazi staff officer General Walter Warlimont; Soviet commander Marshal Zhukov; Major General Eric Dorman O’Gowan, and General Sir Claude Auchinleck to name but a few. In total Batchelor produced a total of 1,163 illustrations, for the publication which sold 10 million copies by 1976.  To celebrate this momentous publishing achievement, Batchelor was presented, with the present model by the fighter ace Sir Douglas Bader on behalf of the grateful publishers.

The FV601 Saladin armoured car entered service with the British Army in 1958 and was used by B Squadron 16th/5th Lancers during their defence of Nicosia airport in 1974 and subsequent armed recce operations under the banner of the UN. Saladins were also employed by the British Army in Northern Ireland. In 1975 Saladins of B Squadron 1RTR were involved in the defence of Nicosia Airport in a stand off between UN and Turkish forces.

Price

£5950.00

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance