Military Vehicles Magazine • OCTOBER 2019 59
‘A’ series except for the steering column which came from the
‘H’ series van. Its rugged construction and 260mm ground clear-
ance allowed it to cope with gradients up to 60 degrees and a side
slope of 30 degrees. It could also negotiate vertical obstacles of
200mm and ford water up to 400mm deep.
In its cargo-carrying role, the FL501 could deliver ammuni-
tion for weapons of all calibers. It could be used to transport
three fully equipped soldiers in addition to the driver. Its fl at
cargo area with its fl oor made of aluminium plates, permitted
the mounting of radios or battlefi eld radar sets.
In the ambulance role, the FL501 could carry two stretchers
or a couple of sitting wounded and medical supplies for fi eld
hospitals. It could also tow a variety of weapons, such as a 20mm
cannon for light air defence or a mortar up to 120mm caliber,
on their own wheeled carriage. When operating in this role, the
vehicle would also carry ammunition for the weapons. It was this
versatility which led to it being called Fardier, meaning, “a cart
to carry heavy loads.”
Its fl at, rear cargo area was an ideal weapons platform to
mount either anti-tank or anti-aircraft missiles. Fitted with either
of these weapons, the FL501 became a a mobile point defence
system that could be deployed at locations around the battlefi eld
or airbase.
In the anti-tank role, a fi ring post was mounted to allow mis-
siles such as Milan to be fi red from the back of the vehicle, with
several reload missiles also being carried. In the air defence role,
a similar fi ring post is mounted to allow short-range missiles
such as Mistral to be fi red from the vehicle with suffi cient room
for several reload missiles to be carried.
The French Army has recently withdrawn the FL501 from
service, replacing it with the Auverland A3F “fast attack ve-
hicle.” However, it is understood that a few FL501s remain in
service with armies in Spain, Tunisia, and Argentina. Where it
remains in current military service, the FL501 continues to pro-
vide operational satisfaction.
Those vehicles formerly used by the French Army have been
released and sold off to private owners at prices ranging from
7,000 to 10,000 Euros. Some of these vehicles are being used by
farmers while others are being used as leisure vehicles for off-
road driving experiences or military shows. A couple have made
their way to the United States where they are shown as historic
military vehicles. Spare parts seem to be readily available. ✪