DAF YP-408
| DAF YP-408 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier |
| Place of origin | Netherlands |
| Service history | |
| Used by |
 Netherlands Portugal Suriname |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 9.9 t |
| Length | 6.23 m |
| Width | 2.4 m |
| Height | 1.87 m |
| Crew | 2 + 10 Passengers |
|
| |
| Armor | 8 - 16 mm |
Main armament | 1 x 12.7 mm MG (Browning M2) |
Secondary armament | 1 x 7.62 mm MG, 6 smoke canisters |
| Engine |
DAF DS 575 6-cylinder turbodiesel 165 hp |
| Suspension | 6 x 8 wheel |
Operational range | 300 km |
| Speed | Road: 82 km/h |
The DAF YP-408 is a Dutch 6×8 armoured personnel carrier, with three out of four axles driven by the typical DAF H-drive. It has a 6-litre, 6-cylinder diesel engine with a 5-speed gearbox and a 2-speed transfer case.
Prototypes were developed in the late 1950s, with the production of 750 vehicles taking place in the 1960s. The YP-408 entered service in 1964 and remained in use with the Dutch army until 1987. A number of vehicles serving with the Netherlands Army in Suriname were handed to the new Surinamese army when that country became independent in 1975.
A few examples are still used by the Polícia Aérea (Portuguese Air Force military police) in the air base security role.
Variants
DAF YP-408 at the DAF museum, Eindhoven
- YP-408 PWI-S /Pantserwiel Infanterie Standaard: Basic version with a two-man crew (driver and gunner), able to carry up to ten passengers and armed with a Browning HB 12.7mm HMG. Of the 429 vehicles produced, around 84 were later converted to other roles (see below). In reality, this version consisted of two near identical models:
- YP-408 PWI-S(GR)/Pantserwiel Infanterie Standaard (Groep): This was used to carry an armoured infantry section.
- YP-408 PWI-S(PC)/Pantserwiel Infanterie Standaard (Pelotonscommando): Platoon commander's variant fitted with an RT 3600 Radio and a pair of antennae.
- YP-408 PWCO /Pantserwiel Commando: Command vehicle fitted with additional radios and a desk equipped with special lighting. Crew comprised six men. 179 were built.
- YP-408 PWGWT /Pantserwiel Gewondentransport: Unarmed version with a three-man crew (driver, signaller and a medic) able to carry up to six wounded soldiers (two on stretchers and four seated). 28 were built.
- YP-408 PWV /Pantserwiel Vracht: Cargo vehicle capable of carrying a 1,500 kg payload. 28 were built.
- YP-408 PWMT /Pantserwiel Mortier: Mortar transporter that towed a 120mm mortar. Besides the driver and gunner, the vehicle carried a five-man mortar detachment and 50 shells. 86 were built.
- YP-408 PWAT /Pantserwiel Antitank: Anti-tank vehicle with a centrally mounted TOW launcher instead of an MG mount. The vehicle, which had a four-man crew, was a conversion of the basic YP-408 PWI-S. Approximately 55 were produced.
- YP-408 PWRDR /Pantserwiel Radar: This version carried a Marconi ZB 298 Battlefield Surveillance Radar that could be mounted on the roof behind the MG mounting, or detached and mounted on a tripod. The vehicle, which had a four-man crew, was a conversion of the basic YP-408 PWI-S. Approximately 29 were produced.
References
- "Armoured car - the wheeled fighting vehicle newsletter" pages 9 & 10, issue #32, December 1995; http://www.warwheels.net/images/ACJfinal32.pdf, article by J. w. l. Heesakkers
- "DAF YP408 Forgotten hero?" http://www.dafyp408.nl/
See also
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