The V-shaped hull design originated from South African engineers in the 1970s with vehicles such as the iconic Casspir, which were extensively used during the South African Border War and the Rhodesian Bush War. The V shape of the hull helped deflect the force of an explosion from a landmine outwards to a larger degree than other designs. The engineers aimed to overcome the impossible challenge: the most powerful mine in the world, belonging to the Soviet Union, against which no armored vehicle could survive. Even if the vehicle could not survive, they aimed to keep the people inside alive. The Soviet Union had sent anti-tank mines to the African continent and trained the guerrillas who used explosives on both civilian and military targets. With the collapse of South Africa's government, the engineering expertise moved to other countries such as the USA, and much of South Africa's armored vehicles fell into the hands of the United Nations (who South Africa's president Vorster had once called "a comedy").

Camouflaged for Operation Protea

23 Septermber 1964, Dr. Hendrik Verwoerd accepts the first South African R1 rifle.

RIP Colonel (Ret) Jan Dirk Breytenbach (14 July 1932 - 16 June 2024)

Best known as the first commander of 1 Reconnaissance Commando, South Africa's first special forces unit. In his long career, he served in the Suez Crisis, the Biafran War, the South African Border War, and the Angolan Civil War, and attained the rank of colonel before his retirement.

"The Dirty Dozen" - South Africa's first special forces unit in 1970.

In the back left to right: John More, Fires van Vuuren, Trevor Floyd, Kenaas Conradie, Jan Breytenbach, FC van Zyl, Dan Lamprecht.

Front: Yogi Potgieter, Dewald de Beer, Hoppie Fourie.