There are two Supacat 6x6 All Terrain Vehicles used for towing and refuelling the SSC on the Black Rock desert. There is a Supacat at each of the start and finish lines. Each Supacat has been specially fitted with three fuel pumps arranged so as to ensure that fuel pumping capacity is backed up. There is a fully baffled flat decked fuel tank which carries1000 litres of jet fuel for the SSC. Also on board is the Honda generator for powering the systems on the SSC while it is stationary and the engines are stopped. The generator also powers the air-conditioning sets that are carried on the Supacat towing dollys, specially made to tow the SSC. There is also a high-performance DC battery cell on the Supacat used to support the SSC systems. The fuel is pumped at high pressure to pressurise the SSC fuel systems for starting and avoid the need for costly on-board pumps. Some of the turn-around team also travel on the Supacats.
In Jordan the temperatures were sometimes as high as 40 degrees Celsius and the distance from the Pit Station to the start line was over five miles. The total weight that the Supacats had to tow in these conditions was some eleven tonnes for the fuelled SSC plus another tonne on the Supacat as well as the other equipment. Towing was always carried out at low speeds to check the ground as it was covered and ensure the surface was not too stony. The Supacats carried out this task amazingly well, especially considering the high temperatures.
The Supacat is chosen for this task because it offers the high power to weight ratio and high traction that is essential on the desert surface. When the Supacat has towed the ten-tonne SSC into position a specially designed jacking system is used to raise the back of the SSC enabling the SSC to be towed and turned in a smaller turning circle. Once in position the Supacat crew will refuel the SSC tanks with 200 plus gallons of JET A. Moving the ten tonne plus SSC and the 3 tonne Supacat and fuel from rest means transferring the force needed straight on to the desert floor without spinning the wheels or digging up the surface. The Supacat low gearing ratio and automatic gearbox deliver a high torque power to the road wheels with their 15 inch wide tyres which give the traction to do this.
A great bonus is the small size of the Supacat which also means that two Supacats will fit into the Antonov cargo plane using the smallest possible space. This is not accidental, the Supacat was designed to be carried in a range of military aircraft or to be underslung from a wide variety of helicopters in its miltary role or its civilian search and rescue role.
Supacat have been developing this amazing vehicle since 1986 when the first Supacat with dual steering was introduced. Supacat are a highly respected engineering design and development company who, using entirely their own resources, have produced a world beating design Designed as an all terrain all purpose vehicle with a high power to weight performance, the Supacat has developed to become a widely respected and versatile working vehicle for the toughest of conditions.
Supacat will drive over the worst sort of ground, often where it is difficult or impossible to walk. The ground pressure from the large section tyres can be as low as 3 lbs per square inch, less than the average mans foot pressure. Supacat will ascend slopes of over 45 degrees and can traverse a slope of 30 degrees. Weighing in at under two tonnes the Supacat is a safe vehicle in extreme circumstances. Supacat will float! An outboard motor can be fitted to make water crossing faster and a reasonable load can be carried as well. Supacat is equipped with a 1.9 litre turbo diesel engine and a three speed (four speed late 1996) automatic gearbox driving through reduction gearboxes to all six wheels.
Supacat will travel at speeds up to 64kph (40 mph) on or off road, in all weather conditions. A Supacat steers the two front axles conventionally with a handlebar type control, in addition there is a brake steering control which permits the driver to stop the wheel on one side leaving the other set of wheels rotating. This is important for sharp direction changes where normal steering might be insufficient, such as very soft ground. This means the Supacat can turn almost in it’s own length - a tremendous advantage in tough conditions.
Supacats are in use all over the world in civil and military roles. The Supacat ability to carry and tow a combined load of up to 3.5 tonnes - getting on for twice its own weight - make it very popular in the serious user markets. Towing the SSC is very considerably more than the designers would normally permit!!
The Supacat reliability is legendary, it has seen service in tough military conditions and actual wars and is in daily use with military and civil users. Supacats are regularly dropped out of aeroplanes and carried under helicopters and it is the vehicle of choice for some special service units in the military. Supacats have been operated in fifty seven countries, many of these operations have been military trials. Eleven countries have bought Supacat.
Supacats have an important civil role. The biggest civil user is Traction Equipment of Stafford, a privately owned Plant Hire company founded in 1964. Traction Equipment operate a substantial number of Supacats in their hire fleet. Tim Bloomer, the owner of the Company, foresaw the civilian potential of the SUPACAT, which had been developed mainly for military use, some 7 years ago.
Traction Equipment now offer their unique service throughout the UK. Primarily to the overhead Electricity industry which benefits from both the exceptional cross country performance and versatility of the SUPACAT and from its ground friendly environmental characteristics. Other users include several highly specialised MOD operations and the Film Industry, where one Supacat has recently assisted on location work in the Sahara desert.
Supacat have developed a pole erecting version to put in telegraph poles in difficult locations. This is popular with electricity companies who often have to transport special vehicles to a site on a trailer. Supacat simply drives there. Ground damage is a problem with the trucks often used by power oil and gas companies. There are high costs for repairing damage to farmers tracks and fields. The Supacat with its low ground pressure does not cause such damage.
There are electro hydraulic crane versions, enclosed cabs, half tracks and full tracks to choose from.
Supacat have even designed and produced a self loading and unloading Fork Lift Pallet Trailer (the Flipit!) with electro-hydraulic power that enables the Supacat driver to reverse up to a pallet weighing one tonne or more and load it, secure it - then drive away to deliver it. This is popular with the military who use the FLPT with the Supacat for clearing dropping zones of military stores left by helicopters or retrieving stores dropped by parachute, then delivering them to the military positions.
In 1995 Alvis PLC took responsibility for the Supacat in its military versions in the highly competitive defence and security markets.
Alvis, the makers of a range of light tanks and armoured reconnaissance vehicles such as the Scorpion and the Stormer, have a long history as defence equipment manufacturers since before the second world war. Alvis have their roots in the automotive industry and the early Alvis cars are prized collectors items.
Alvis technology covers aero engines, heavy load military vehicles, fire engines, and even high tech government building protection.
The military market for the Supacat has been steadily developed over the past few years to the point at which the Alvis expertise and reputation in military circles make a natural association for Supacat in these specialised markets.
Military users are demanding customers and require considerable industrial capacity to satisfy. Alvis are very experienced in these markets.
Supacat have done it again! The amazing Supacat 6x6 is now being produced as an incredibly versatile, go anywhere fire fighting and rescue vehicle. None of the famous Supacat virtues are sacrificed in the Fire-Fighter. The newly introduced improvements to the base Supacat chassis mean that quality, safety and ease of use are further improved.
The MkIII chassis offers a whole lot of improvements:
Fighting fires in that break out where access is very narrow or where the fire is not near a road, has always presented problems. There are a number of very mobile vehicles available in different forms but so far there has not been one type that combines a useful load of water and fire fighting equipment. The Supacat Fire-fighter creates a "first" for a high mobility on and off road vehicle with very effective fire fighting capacity. The Supacat Fire-fighter is capable as operating in the full search and rescue role, carrying powerful cutting and spreading equipment as well as more traditional equipment.
The Supacat Fire-fighter is based on the world proven Supacat 6x6. This tough all terrain permanent 6x6 drive vehicle has earned its reputation in demanding civil and military roles over the past ten years. It exerts a low ground pressure but gives a very high grip on most types of terrain, from soft sand and mud through to hard rocky mountains. It will also give a top speed of 40mph (64kph) on the road.
The fire fighting equipment consists of a 1000 litre water tank with a rapid fill access combined with an independently powered pump unit that can be dismounted. The pump feeds a twin reel, twin gun water fogging system. The guns employ the latest technique of water fog giving atomised water droplets that are highly effective in extinguishing combustion of all types. The jets have four different spray patterns to deal with varying fire intensity. This exceptional fire fighting capability uses much less water than conventional methods and means that the twin guns water fog system will operate at between 20 and 60 minutes duration.
The fire fighting pump and hose reels have been designed to be quickly removed and used separately if needed. The water tank and other equipment can also be quickly removed to permit the Supacat vehicle to be used for other tasks such as personnel transport, hose laying and recovery, deployment of beaters, equipment collection/delivery and casualty evacuation. The Supacat Fire-fighter will also tow a wide variety of other equipment.
The Supacat Fire-fighter can be replenished with water directly from road going fire appliances, hydrants, or from helicopters. It will also self fill from available open water sources. Water filtered as it enters the tank. A number of filters have been included in the water system to ensure long pump life and blockage-free operation.
The Supacat Fire-fighter was first developed to meet the need for fighting bush fires in the UK and elsewhere. The cost and environmental effect of bush fires is enormous. Because of the threat of such fires in the UK after many years of dry summers, fire fighting agencies are under pressure to equip with effective counter measures. With an effective system much time is saved and valuable equipment and human resources can get to other incidents more quickly - an important factor when the pressure is on.
In remote areas water supply is a problem. Conventional pump units consume substantial amounts of water to be effective. Up to now this has reduced the usefulness of true cross-country fire fighting units, which are also expensive pieces of equipment. Now the highly mobile Supacat Fire-fighter with its one tonne water which can be converted in to a water fog, offers a highly effective way of overcoming these long-standing difficulties in fighting bush type fires. Also an ideal vehicle for fighting fires in urban areas where access is limited - such as shopping malls and narrow streets, the cost and effectiveness of the Supacat Fire-fighter means that remote areas can be provided with a local fire fighting capacity that is easy to operate and effective in use. Speed in tackling fires will also be a major advantage in industrial production units who will now be able to equip with an effective first response vehicle within their own control.
The Supacat Fire-fighter can also operate as a vehicle for smaller airfields where there is a need to be able to move off the tarmac areas to deal with emergencies. It quickly converts to a "standard" Supacat ready to carry & tow loads, carry people and equipment and do all of the work that Supacat has become celebrated for over the years. Working mainly with the Royal Air Force, Supacat has been used for air craft rescue and aircraft recovery. Among other jobs Supacat is also used when personnel and equipment have to be transported to less accessible places - these may be motorway embankments, railway lines and tunnels, coastal areas, mountain and moorland areas and even more normal places if weather conditions are difficult or when environmental conditions considerations are too difficult for conventional vehicles. The Supacat is ideal for area searches. Supacat will float and can be used in flood emergencies, an outboard motor is an option!
From the Arctic in Norway through to the deserts of the Arabian Gulf, Supacat have gained an enviable reputation. Supacat has a long pedigree based on years of operation by elite forces in the British Army and numerous overseas customers. Supacat has been used in temperatures of minus 30 degrees C in Norway up to over 50 degrees C in Jordan where it was used to tow the British Supersonic Car in the testing phase destined to lead to a new land speed record faster than sound! The Supacat towed the over 11 tonne car for distances over five miles to the start point and back to the Pit Station. All in very high temperatures while also carrying the one tonne of Jet A1 fuel, the air conditioning and the start crew!
Specifications are always being added to and there are a several water tank patterns, including polypropylene tanks and separated de-mountable tanks together with a range of different pressures and nozzle patterns. Feel free to ask for your preferences in specification and we will prepare detailed quotations and technical specifications to suit you.
There are three sponsors of the fuel tanker/towing Supacats
Supacat Ltd. The Airfield Dunkeswell Honiton Devon EX14 ORA England
Supacat are providing one of the two Supacats for the duration of the LSR project, to ThrustSSC for towing the SSC, carrying the fuel and re-fuelling the SSC as well as carrying specialised equipment from the base control out to the start/finish line. Supacat also designed and produced the special towing wheel for lifting and towing the SSC.
Traction Equipment (Stafford) Ltd. Glover Street Stafford ST16 2NY England
Traction Equipment have placed one of their latest Supacats at the disposal of ThrustSSC for the duration of the LSR attempt this year.
Alvis Plc. The Triangle Walsgrave Coventry CV2 2SP
Alvis are providing the fuel tanks that carry the Thrust aviation fuel and all of the pumping and delivery systems for the ThrustSSC.
More information about the Supacat is available below:
More sales information about Supacat is available from:
Supacat P.O.Box 2 Guildford Surrey GU3 3EH UK Fax: +44 (0)1483 502234 Email: hugo-atv@tcp.co.uk
August 1997
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