AVGP

Armoured Vehicle General Purpose

In 1974 the Canadian Armed Forces issed a requirement for an Armoured Vehicle General Purpose (AVGP) to equip both Regular and Militia units. Three prototypes made it to the final evaluation from a field of fourteen. The Brazilian URUTU and the U.S. Commando fell by the wayside and the Swiss MOWAG Piranha 6 X 6 won the evaluation. General Motors Diesel Division undertook production of the AVGP family for the Canadian Forces with the first vehicles rolling off the line in 1979. Production was completed in 1982 by which time 491 had been built in three versions. Each of the variants are pictured below. The AVGP series is fully amphibious, being propelled by two propellers mounted at the rear of the vehicles, behind the third roadweel on each side. Armour is 10mm maximum for protection from shell splinters. The AVGP has a maximum speed of 100 km/h on roads and 10 km/h in water. These vehicles are powered by the GM Detroit Diesel and they have Allison MT 650 automatic transmissions. The AVGP family of vehicles is easily identified by the pointed front end and distinct gap between the second and third wheel stations.

Grizzly Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier (WAPC)

Also known as the Car, Armoured, Personnel Carrier (GRIZZLY), this vehicle mounts the manually traversed American Cadillac Gage turret armed with a 12.7mm MG and a 7.62mm MG mounted coaxially. It has a crew of three and carries an additional six troops; for a total of nine. Entry and exit for the infantry is by two doors in the hull rear. A total of 269 Grizzlies were built.

(16)
Grizzly

Cougar 76mm Gun Wheeled Fire Support Vehicle (WFSV)

Also known as the Car, Armoured, Fire Support (COUGAR), this vehicle mounts a full Alvis Scorpion turret with a 76mm main gun and a 7.62 coaxial MG, and has a crew of three. A total of 195 Cougars were built.

(17)
Cougar

Husky Wheeled Maintenance and Recovery Vehicle (WMRV)

Also known as the Car, Armoured, Maintenance and Recovery (HUSKY) this version has a roof-mounted hydraulic crane and is crewed by three. A total of 27 Huskies were built.

(18)
Husky

Return to CANADIAN ARMOUR PROFILES page

Site Map

Steel Chariots Title Page	Updates	Commander's Cupola	Armour Profiles	Armoured Regiments
Tactical Markings	The Fort Garry Horse	Evolution of Armd Formations	Death of a Battlegroup	Panthers Demise
For Valour	Ram Badger	Armour Graphics	Churchills at Dieppe	Formation Patches
Photo Credits	Le Mesnil-Patry	Gallantry Awards	Battle of Keppeln	Links