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 Armored vehicles is a term that defines a class of military vehicles that have had armor added to protect the inhabitants and the vehicle from the various dangers found on the battlefield. Many military vehicles are produced in armored and non-armored editions. Perhaps most recognizable to collectors and enthusiasts of military vehicles are the military Hummers, or Humvees that gained attention during the Iraq war.
Too many non-armored Humvees where shipped and so our troops retro-fitted armor kits when they were shipped, or applied “farmer armor” compiled from anything soldiers could get their hands on. While armored vehicles are more expensive than those without armor – and much heavier of course – many collectors prefer them. Finding quality armored vehicles takes some patience and digging, but they are available. Many of them are in excellent condition. They’ve had their weaponry removed, of course, but otherwise are exactly the same as they left “active duty.” The Most Collectable Armored VehiclesIf you are looking for an armored vehicle, consider a Humvee because of their availability. They were first used in Operation Just Cause as the U.S. removed dictator Manuel Noriega in 1989. More than 50,000 saw action in Desert Storm and military Hummers, or Humvees, and may now be the most essential vehicle in use in Iraq and Afghanistan. Military Hummers with ArmorHere is a list of the armored military Hummers / Humvees:
M966 HMMWV TOW, M996 Mini-Ambulance, M997 Maxi-Ambulance, M1025 Armament Carrier, M1026 Armament Carrier, M1036 TOW, M1043 Armament Carrier, M1044 Armament Carrier, M1045 TOW, M1046 TOW, M1109 Armament Carrier. Other Popular Armored Vehicles to Collect Tanks: The ultimate armored vehicle. Collectors buy Abrams, Sherman, German Panzer, and other main battle tanks and medium or light tanks.
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFV): These include a wide array of tracked and non-tracked vehicles, and many of them are in high demand among collectors. Here are some of the most collectable. Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV): These vehicles carry infantry and offer good fire support. These include the U.S. Bradley M2A3, the German Marder 1A3, the Swedish CV90 and the first IFV ever, the Soviet BMP-1. Armored Personnel Carriers (APC): Used to carry soldiers to the battlefield while protecting them from small arms fire or shrapnel, there are many collectable APCs. They include the U.S. M113, the British FV 432, the Austrian Pandur, the Canadian Bison, Kodiak and Grizzly, the Soviet BTR and the French VAB (only goes in reverse, ha-ha). Getting your Armored Vehicles Licensed
Not all armored vehicles can be modified to be street legal, some simply because they weigh too much. However, depending on the specific laws in your state, many armored vehicles can be modified so that you can drive them on most roads. Humvees, or military hummers, may be your best choice if driving around town is your objective. Check with your DMV, and talk to other military vehicles enthusiasts in your state to find out how they have gone about getting their armored vehicles ready for the road.Finding Military Armored Vehicles to BuyThere are several key places to look for military armored vehicles. Start at eBay because most of the armored vehicles for sale get posted there. You can also locate them on the websites of specialty dealers in armored vehicles. |
