The Amfibiebil 101
The first Stalwarts had the chassis number prefix of PV. It stood for Private Venture, as there was no request by MOD for such a vehicle at the time.
Sweden invited Alvis to demonstrate the new amphibious Alvis Stalwart to the Marine Service, consisting of the Swedish Navy and the Coast Artillery, who worked alongside each other.
In March 1962, the first amphibious Stalwart, chassis number PV 2 was demonstrated around Vaxholm, Sweden in this silent film.
Sweden’s Coast Artillery (Kustartilleri in Swedish, or KA for short) decided to purchase two pre production prototypes. Chassis numbers PV4 and PV5 were delivered late in 1962.
Alvis produced an Instruction manual in 1962 for PV4 and 5, in English. One diagram shows how PV4 and PV5 had slightly different dashboards, as the vehicle was developing and evolving.
An Alvis document shows that two sets of plumbing fittings had been dispatched to Sweden before Christmas 1962, to add cab heaters to the vehicles. Prior to the Mark 2 Stalwart, heaters were never fitted to their military vehicles.
Matchbox released a model of the Stalwart in 1966. The model includes octagonal hatches, and PV4 and PV5 are the only Stalwarts to have ever been built with octagonal hatches. It is unknown if KA requested this shape due to the size of PV2’s hatch during the 1962 trial, or if Alvis was simply trialling octagonal hatches on two prototype vehicles and they both happened to be sold to Sweden.
Work with the Kustartilleri helped Alvis to make a number of changes to the prototype and the KA made some changes of their own over time. This included fitting three radiators in the cab rather than a fan heater supplied by Alvis after production, and a FOCO 150 crane.
The KA fitted fold down bench seats (coloured yellow), and mounted supports to hold the canopy up – so that troops could sit in the back under the canopy.
At this time, Sweden had Conscripts who had to serve 3 years in the military. The two Stalwarts were only driven by KA Officers.
Sweden named the Stalwart, the Amfibiebil 101.
Amfibiebil 101 B
In 1965 Sweden took delivery of six FV620 Mark 1 Stalwarts. These vehicles were identical to the 126 FV620 Mark 1 that Alvis provided to the MOD from the summer of 1963 to January 1966.
The original pair or prototypes were renamed as Amfibiebil 101 A, and the six new ones became Amfibiebil 101 B to distinguish them.
This photo shows a pair of 101 Bs in service with the KA, and still in original condition.
Like the 101 A prototypes, Sweden also carried out alterations to the 101 Bs.
Whilst the 101 B were not fitted with nautical navigation lights, as Alvis had with PV 4 and 5, Sweden fitted a second set of Side lights underneath the Air deflector at the top of the cab.
It is presumed that the KA’s own workshops at Rosenholm (Karlskrona KA 2) fitted Boughton hydraulic winches on the front of the cabs, and also FOCO 4000 cranes.
Amfibiebil 101 C
In 1966 the new Fv622 Mark 2 Stalwart, designed by Michael Dunn, came into service with the British Army. The British Army purchased around 930 of the 956 Mark 2 Stalwarts made, most of those serving in Germany.
Sweden purchased around eighteen Mark 2 FV622S vehicles, which were delivered in 1967. I say around eighteen, as Swedish records suggest that many military registration numbers – but there is an Alvis registration plate with a registration number outside of the known numbers. Sweden’s records are difficult to track down.
Sadly, the chassis number is illegible on this photo, and the owner has temporarily withdrawn from social media.
The Swedish FV622S had a number of differences during construction compared to the standard Fv622
Things that Sweden asked Alvis for included a fixed metal sheet tailboard, rather than a drop down tailboard.
There are also various hooks for hanging tow strops off, and it is unknown if Alvis or Sweden fitted these
Trailer air line couplings were fitted inside the rear louvre area, rather than on the rear skid plate.
The Fv622 only had a seat on the left of the cab. Sweden opted for the second passenger seat to be fitted.
Because the Mark 2 had an electric heater fitted in front of the driver, Sweden didn’t bother with radiators in the cab.
Sweden opted to not have the search light installed on the cab roof.
They did however have lugs fitted on the edges, to accommodate straps for securing the tow strops.
Another difference is the fuel cap. The British fuel cap is a very flat affair, with 4 tiny lugs. The Swedish opted for a fuel cap with a raised single lug that drivers could get hold of.
Rörlig spärrbataljon
In 1969, because of advances in technology – decisions were made for the Defence of Sweden. This included forming a new Mobile barrage battalion (Swedish – Rörlig spärrbataljon). All Amfibiebil 101s were transfer to the new Rörlig spärrbataljon of the Kustartilleri.
Part of the modern technology was Artillery radar and laser equipment. The new Artillery Fire Command (Arte) 719 was brought into service, and it was decided that the Amfibiebil 101s could tow this floating radar trailer to any island around the coastline of Sweden. This would allow the radar for each unit to be away from the Bofors 7.5cm guns that formed a part of this Mobile barrage battalion.
The idea being that the Mobile barrage battalion could fit in anywhere needed between the existing fixed Coast artillery unit as needed, or replace a fixed artillery location if it had been taken out of action.
Flytsläpvagn 803
In the early 1970s, the command decided that as well as towing the radar unit to the numerous islands around the Swedish coastline they could also transport the Bofors 7.5cm artillery guns.
Ka’s own workshop at Rosenholm designed and constructed Flytsläpvagn (Floating trailer) 803 to carry the Bofors 7.5/65 guns. The 65 refers to the year when they were first made.
Six trailers were made for the five KA units spread around the Swedish coast line.
The trailer was designed that the Amfibiebil would park in front of the trailer, facing it. The vehicle’s winch would then be spooled out over the trailer to the gun. The trailer came with ramps, and the vehicle’s winch would pull the gun up into the trailer.
In the 1980s, new technology made the Arte 719 obsolete. As the replacement Artillery Fire Command had a greater range, then there was no need to move it to the islands and hide it. The last of the Swedish Stalwart Amfibiebil 101s were sold off in 1985.
After service
A number of the Swedish Stalwarts were bought by A F Budge. One of those 101 C was purchased for the Korean Oceanographic Research and Development Institute. It was overhauled and prepared by A F Budge, before being transported in 1999 to the Falkland Islands, and then on to King George Island.
It spent some 5 years in service, and around another 5 years sat inactive on King George Island. She was eventually shipped to Chile for scrap.
Five of the Swedish 101 C were overhauled in the UK by the Beddal-Muir company, and sold to the Sri Lanka Armed Forces. One is still preserved at a Sri Lankan military base.
One presumes that the local termites have eaten the Water deflector board, that should be on the front.
Most of the Stalwarts in private ownership in Sweden, Norway, etc., are ex British Army, from Germany.
There are two mark 1 and two mark 2 Amfibiebils preserved in Swedish museums. The webpage dedicated to the Amfibiebil 101 has more information.
Please visit amfibiebil-101
Mark Ellis.
References
My thanks to the following for their help and information that contributed towards the article.
Estate of author John L. Rue.
Yeadong Kim, Ph.D. President, Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research.
Sten Munck af Rosenschöld, Swedish Defence University.
Magnus Freij – ex KA.
Stefan Karlsson – Arsenalen, Sveriges Försvarsfordonsmuseum.
Members of various Kustartilleri groups on Facebook.
Members of various Kustartilleri comrades associations, and their websites.
Museum för Rörligt kustartilleri (Mobile artillery), Aspö
Emil Gustavsson.
Mark Chapman.
Alvis Archive 