We are delighted to announce that we will be returning to the Capel Military Show at Aldhurst Farm, Capel in Surrey on Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd July 2022.
Among the items we will be displaying is our L131 AS90 155mm Self Propelled Howitzer - the first time this 46-ton gun has been exhibited at a public show of this nature.
Set over five fields, the Capel Military Show features a variety of military exhibitors from the south of England and beyond, including over 400 vehicles and helicopters and the best of British, German, Russian and American re-enactment groups. The arena will host vehicle parades, battle re-enactments, car crushing and naval gun firing as well as a special ‘East Meets West’ armoured vehicle tug of war.
Alongside our AS90 we will also be supporting this year’s Falklands theme with a 105mm Light Gun, 105mm Pack Howitzer and Rapier Field Standard B. Additionally, Capel with be exhibiting the BV 202 (Snowcat), Lance Missile Launcher and FH70 Towed Howitzer which they currently have on loan from us.
Commenting on the event Royal Artillery Museum Chairman Major General Nick Eeles said: “We are delighted to attend the fantastic Capel Military Show once again. It is a wonderful event and a great opportunity for us to engage with visitors, share items from our historic collection and for them to find out more about the Royal Artillery Museum and our plans for the future.
“It has been a complex project to get our AS90 ready for the show – it has taken a year of planning – but it is going to be magnificent seeing it on display and a wonderful opportunity for members of the public to get close to such an important and impressive piece of British artillery. We’re pleased to be able to bring this to Capel, and to build on the excellent working relationship we have developed with the organisers of the show.” More information on the show and details of how to book tickets is available on the Capel Military Show website www.capelmilitaryshow.com.
L131 AS90 155mm Self Propelled Howitzer
The AS90 (Artillery System for the 90s) is a 155mm self-propelled gun designed and built by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering (VSEL). It replaced the British Army’s FV433 Abbot & M109 Self Propelled Guns, and the FH70 towed howitzer. It is fitted with a 155mm, 39-calibre gun. In trials, two AS90 guns were able to deliver a total payload of 261kg (six projectiles) onto a single target in less than ten seconds. A maximum of 48 rounds can be carried on the vehicle. An automated loading system enables the gun to fire with a burst rate of three rounds in fewer than ten seconds, an intense rate of six rounds a minute for three minutes and a sustained rate of two rounds a minute. The effective maximum range is 24.7km (15.3 miles). The gun is equipped with a recoil and hydrogas suspension system, which allows the turret to traverse and fire through a full 360°. AS90 was used on Operation Telic in March 2003. It has also been deployed in Bosnia and Kosovo. AS90 is currently in service with 1st Regiment RHA and 19 Regiment RA, both based at Larkhill. It is also used by 14 Regiment RA based at the Royal School of Artillery in Larkhill.