African Buffalo: The South African Buffel APC

This particular design method was proven effective during WWII, when it was discovered that setting an armored plate at an angle increased its thickness without adding any extra weight. Since then the use of sharp angles has become integral in the design of many modern AFVs and helped increase their survivability on the battlefield.  

This is especially true with APCs, which are intended to transport infantry across a battlefield with a high level of protection. This has been achieved by using what is essentially an armored box, mounted on either tracks or wheels, inside which the infantry sit in relative safety. However, on occasion a design emerges which bucks the conventional trend in order to meet specific tactical requirements.

One such vehicle was the “Buffel”, which entered service with the then South African Defence Force, SADF, in 1978. At the time the SADF was engaged in Counter Insurgency Operations, known as “COIN”, to deal with unrest along the country’s borders and to battle incursions by rebel forces, such as the South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO). These troubles had been occurring since the early 1960s, and by the 1970s led to several specialist designs known as Mine Resistant Ambush Protection Vehicles, including the “Bosvark” (Bushpig).

By 1976, a promising vehicle design was beginning to emerge that used lessons learned from earlier designs such as the “Hyena” and the “Bosvark”. Developers used the expertise provided by several leading companies — specialist departments such as the Defense Research Unit (DRU) and certain individuals, including Dr. Vernon Joynt of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research). A wooden mock-up was presented to a delegation from the SADF and representatives from the Board of Trade, DRU and the Pretoria-based company of Armaments Corporation (ARMSCOR) founded in 1968, which at the time was producing European-designed weaponry and vehicles under licence. Impressed by what they saw, the group ordered a series of live blast tests to be carried out against a prototype.

These proved satisfactory and, following further field trials by the SADF, service production of the vehicle, by then known as the “Buffel” (Afrikaans for Buffalo), commenced in 1977. ARMSCOR was established as the production company and all others involved in the Buffel’s research and development were excluded. The SADF and ARMSCOR made some final modifications with the first batch of Buffels, 19 in total, leaving the production factory at Voortrekkerhoogte later in the same year. Some of these were deployed on their first mission in late 1978 and the service fleet went on to prove effective on long-range border patrols.

Referred to as an “Infantry Mobility Vehicle”, the Buffel was a 4x4 open-topped APC that looked very much like a large truck, which in fact is what it was, with armored vertical sides, armored driver’s cab and set high to provide good ground clearance. It was the special design of the rear hull area where the 10-man squad of infantry sat back-to-back down the center which made it different. The underside of the armored hull was shaped like that of a deep-keeled ship to deflect the blast effect of a mine.

There was nothing actually new about APCs haveing a V-shaped underside to their hulls. The British Saracen APC and Saladin armored car, dating from 1952 and 1954 respectively, shared this type of design. More recent to the Buffel, though, was the short-lived British experiment to produce a 4x4 Mk/MJ Bedford lorry for use during the Dhofar Rebellion of 1965 to 1979. In 1976, two years before the appearance of the Buffel, the prototype of a vehicle known as the “Mine Truck” was developed by the British firm of Bedford Motors. It had a deep-V-shaped hull fitted with large tires to provide a high ground clearance. Intended as an artillery tractor, the design helped protect the gun crew from mine blasts. 

Despite the time spent on the design, it never went into production or service. Looking at the only known example in existence, it is easy to see how the proven V-shape of the hull, which had been used successfully on earlier designs such as the Bosvark, must have had an influence on the Bedford design. However, while the Buffel went on to see extensive service, the Bedford Mine Truck has become an all-but-forgotten curiosity.

Over time a series of variants followed from the original design. They included the Mk I and Mk IB, which were slightly improved versions with better brakes and a front-mounted fender known as a Bush Guard. The “Log Buffel” had the seats removed in the rear to create a cargo bay to carry supplies and serve in the logistics role to support patrols along the border. A trailer was also developed to carry additional supplies.  

Next there was the Mk IIA, known as the “Moffel”, which had a fully enclosed hull for the infantry. An ambulance version was proposed and a prototype developed, but it was decided the mobility of the vehicle would prevent proper medical aid from being given to a wounded man and the project was dropped. 

Finally, there was the Mk IIB, another logistics support vehicle capable of carrying loads in excess of 2.5 tons. About 57 of this type were produced.

Production of the Buffel ran from 1978 to the 1990s, with some 2,400 delivered to the SADF before they were replaced in service by the Mamba in 1995. The South African Air Force acquired a number of examples nicknamed the “Bulldog” that were used for patrolling air fields. Others were converted into fully enclosed APCs known as “Rhinos”. Sri Lanka, Uganda, Malawi and Zambia also acquired various versions of the Buffel. These sales likely pushed the production figures to about 2,985 units.

The Buffel was a highly successful vehicle in its class, earning the nickname of “Grens Donkie” (Border Mule). Others referred to it as the “Kots Koets” (Vomit Wagon) because of the nausea induced on the passengers by the rolling motion of the body during cross country patrols. The rugged design, combined with the front-mounted bush guard, allowed it to be driven through bush and scrub, an action known as “Bundu Bashing” (Bush Breaking).  In many cases, damage sustained by the vehicle during operations could be repaired in the field, reducing down time.

The driver’s cab and crew compartment were separate and surrounded by 6 and 7mm armor plate. The cab, also fitted with bullet-proof glass, was mounted forward and offset to the left with the front-mounted engine to the right. Early versions had open-topped cabs for easy driver access. Modifications to later versions added protection to the roof and a side access door was fitted. 

The spare tire was mounted outside on the right of the cab to provide some additional protect to the driver. The chassis was set high to reduce blast effects and also allow good access to the underside for maintenance and servicing. The V-shaped hull contained a fuel tank holding 44 gallons of diesel along with a second tank holding 22 gallons of water. This provided drinking water for the crew and also acted as a further protective feature against mine blasts. Some references mention how the spare tires were sometimes filled with water to act as additional protection against blasts.

The crew compartment with seating for the 10-man squad was fitted with over-the-shoulder harnesses to prevent ejection in the event of the vehicle being thrown over by blast from a mine. The design was such that the vehicle could withstand the explosion from a Soviet-produce anti-tank mine filled with almost 14 lbs. of TNT. The seats were designed to minimize injuries to the spine in the event such an explosion. An overhead anti-roll bar extended the length of the seating area to prevent crushing should the vehicle capsize. 

The crew could exit the vehicle by jumping over the sides. Alternatively, the side panels, which were hinged along the lower edge, could be dropped to speed up deployment. Self-defense armament was comprised of machine guns mounted on pintels, one forward and a second to cover the rear. Weaponry could vary, but typically consisted of either single or double-mounted 7.62mm machine guns.

Over the course of 17 years of service life with the SADF — later the South African National Defence Force — the fleet of Buffels were used on many operational missions. Specialist units were formed to act as military advisers to friendly forces outside South African territory, such as the Angolan army. One account by a veteran engaged in a mission known as Operation Sceptic in June 1980 recounted how the Buffel he was traveling in was blown up while facing SWAPO forces. The explosion tore off one of the wheels and threw it some 40 meters from the point of impact. Apart from some painful backs, all crew on the vehicle survived intact.

Several organizations still use examples of the Buffel. Sri Lanka still has a fleet of 47, while Uganda has a total of 55 divided between the country’s military and police forces. 

While the Buffel is not particularly rare, it remains unusual, with a few examples displayed in museums. Occasionally, one comes up for sale. Fairly recently, an example in very good condition was listed for £45,000 GBP ($59,200 U.S.). Sometimes an example or two will make an appearance at a show, which always has enthusiasts checking their cameras and setting their mobile phones on video mode so as not to miss this most unusual of modern vehicles. 

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