| When the new German Army was created in 1956, it asked the Swiss company of Hispano-Suiza to transform its AA light tank into an armoured personnel carrier. License
production was undertaken in UK and Germany as the Swiss industry was unable to carry the whole production. 1119 units were produced by Leyland Motors, 547 by
Rheinstahl-Hanomag and 510 by Henschel Werke. In addition Rolls-Royce supplied the engines and Reinmetall the armament. Production started in September 1959 and
ended in February 1962.
In german service it was known as the Spz-lang [Lit Schützenpanzer-lang] and was produced in a number of variants.
Initially it had significant mechanical problems but the problems were eventually solved. After 1966 the HS-30 was no longer capable of following and supporting the new
Leopard main battle tanks and even though they were replaced with Marders through out the early 1970s about 900 still soldiered on as 120mm mortar carriers until
replaced with M113 in the 1980s. They also served in reserve units when replaced by Marders.
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VARIANTS OF THE SERIES
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GENERAL RECOGNITION POINTS
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- Five roadwheels with three top rollers - two forward & one rear.
- Bevelled hull sides.
- Engine rear left with louvred decks on hull top.
- Circular cover on rear right of hull upper rear plate with horizontal exhaust beneath.
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