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Reply to post number 1025:The Ratel-based test bed is a very large vehicle with a wheelbase of 5.6 meters and an overall length of about 8 meters (the wheelbase of the Rooikat is about 5 meters). I expect that it was powered by the same turbocharged Bussing engine as the standard Ratel although I seem to recall having read somewhere that it was powered by an intercooled version of the engine, developing 320hp. The transmission is the same unit as that used in the Ratel. I agree that the weight of the vehicle seems low at 19 tons. 8x8 versions of MAN trucks using the same axles are rated up to 28.000kg, as is the Ratel log, afaik. I expect a combat ready version of a Rooikat based on this vehicle would have pulled the scales at around 24 tons.The Eland- and the Saracen-based 8x8 prototypes were both powered by green-coloured, Detroit Diesel (General Motors) 6V53 engines two-stroke diesels, if I remeber correctly. I could open the engine compartments when I was there. Don't know about the transmissions.
Reply to post number 1025:
The Ratel-based test bed is a very large vehicle with a wheelbase of 5.6 meters and an overall length of about 8 meters (the wheelbase of the Rooikat is about 5 meters). I expect that it was powered by the same turbocharged Bussing engine as the standard Ratel although I seem to recall having read somewhere that it was powered by an intercooled version of the engine, developing 320hp. The transmission is the same unit as that used in the Ratel. I agree that the weight of the vehicle seems low at 19 tons. 8x8 versions of MAN trucks using the same axles are rated up to 28.000kg, as is the Ratel log, afaik. I expect a combat ready version of a Rooikat based on this vehicle would have pulled the scales at around 24 tons.
The Eland- and the Saracen-based 8x8 prototypes were both powered by green-coloured, Detroit Diesel (General Motors) 6V53 engines two-stroke diesels, if I remeber correctly. I could open the engine compartments when I was there. Don't know about the transmissions.
