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Description
In 1931 the Ashlain board of military procurement approached Strauss, Boch & Donnetti for a closed contract that allowed the company exclusive rights to build the critical support vehicles of the Ashlain military as their older vehicles were starting to show age. The Board wanted to streamline the process by switching to contracting from a singular company within the borders of the Kingdom of Ashlain. In prior budgetary decades the purchasing of vehicles by the military was done by the individual branch of service within limits set by the Military command and allowed by the Parliament. Now, all the core vehicles, their parts and the maintenance training for the motor pool staff would come from one place, thus greatly simplifying operations. SBD was tasked with designing a fairly modular general purpose vehicle, and a modular 2-ton truck both of which had an ‘swimming’ amphibious variant and both of which in either form were able to handle the wetlands and jungles common to Ashlain territory. SBD developed both in just shy of two years in the form of the AMV-CDV8-GPT (general purpose truck) and the SBD-AMV4-GPV.

SBD- AMV-CDV8-GPT (General Purpose Truck)

The basic model of the GPT is reliable, rugged and since it is all-axle drive and a half-track it is capable of going where normal cargo vehicles cannot go. The empty weight of the GPT is 4 tons, but it can carry up to 4 tons of cargo or equipment including cargo deck modifications. The top speed for this vehicle is 50 miles per hour and its operational range is 342 miles with a basic fuel capacity of 44 standard gallons of kerosene. Much like every Ashlain vehicle uses an external combustion engine that can go from a cold status to ready to drive in about 40-60 seconds. As of 1941 no less than 100,000 of these vehicles are in active service to the military in some form or another.

SBD-AMV-CDV8-MHV (Mobile Hospital Vehicle)

The medical variant of the reliable GPT was an inevitable development as it would be needed at the least for aid operations after natural disasters. Due to the need for an enclosed rear cab, and the installation of internal lights power supplies and other medical equipment, the MHV has a reduced cargo capacity (1.5 tons) which is often occupied by patients being medically evacuated, up to two mobile medical surgical theaters or, if the vehicle is being used to deliver medical supplies, cargo shelves to secure and safely transport medical materials. Although the smoke and haze of war can obscure it MHV vehicles have a large white cross painted on the sides of the vehicle as well as on the roof of the cab, and on the front hood in the hopes of making it clear that the MHV is a non-combatant.

SBD-AMV-CDV8-ASV (Artillery Support Vehicle)

The Artillery Support Vehicle version of the GPT, is generally used for rapid deployment of some form of anti-air weapon and these vehicles are sent in groups of six which includes a munitions transport variant and a wireless variant for improved coordination with headquarters. Infantry support is also contained within this group. It is not uncommon for a company of SBD-AMV4-GPV’s and their attached infantry to be resent as well. Recent developments of this chassis variant have led to an artillery transport that can move several mountain howitzers, or up to three assembled light field guns or tow a medium artillery piece, transport its crew and the ammunition needed for the artillery piece.

Description
In 1931 the Ashlain board of military procurement approached Strauss, Boch & Donnetti for a closed contract that allowed the company exclusive rights to build the critical support vehicles of the Ashlain military as their older vehicles were starting to show age. The Board wanted to streamline the process by switching to contracting from a singular company within the borders of the Kingdom of Ashlain. In prior budgetary decades the purchasing of vehicles by the military was done by the individual branch of service within limits set by the Military command and allowed by the Parliament. Now, all the core vehicles, their parts and the maintenance training for the motor pool staff would come from one place, thus greatly simplifying operations. SBD was tasked with designing a fairly modular general purpose vehicle, and a modular 2-ton truck both of which had an ‘swimming’ amphibious variant and both of which in either form were able to handle the wetlands and jungles common to Ashlain territory. SBD developed both in just shy of two years in the form of the AMV-CDV8-GPT (general purpose truck) and the SBD-AMV4-GPV.

SBD- AMV-CDV8-GPT (General Purpose Truck)

The basic model of the GPT is reliable, rugged and since it is all-axle drive and a half-track it is capable of going where normal cargo vehicles cannot go. The empty weight of the GPT is 4 tons, but it can carry up to 4 tons of cargo or equipment including cargo deck modifications. The top speed for this vehicle is 50 miles per hour and its operational range is 342 miles with a basic fuel capacity of 44 standard gallons of kerosene. Much like every Ashlain vehicle uses an external combustion engine that can go from a cold status to ready to drive in about 40-60 seconds. As of 1941 no less than 100,000 of these vehicles are in active service to the military in some form or another.

SBD-AMV-CDV8-MHV (Mobile Hospital Vehicle)

The medical variant of the reliable GPT was an inevitable development as it would be needed at the least for aid operations after natural disasters. Due to the need for an enclosed rear cab, and the installation of internal lights power supplies and other medical equipment, the MHV has a reduced cargo capacity (1.5 tons) which is often occupied by patients being medically evacuated, up to two mobile medical surgical theaters or, if the vehicle is being used to deliver medical supplies, cargo shelves to secure and safely transport medical materials. Although the smoke and haze of war can obscure it MHV vehicles have a large white cross painted on the sides of the vehicle as well as on the roof of the cab, and on the front hood in the hopes of making it clear that the MHV is a non-combatant.

SBD-AMV-CDV8-ASV (Artillery Support Vehicle)

The Artillery Support Vehicle version of the GPT, is generally used for rapid deployment of some form of anti-air weapon and these vehicles are sent in groups of six which includes a munitions transport variant and a wireless variant for improved coordination with headquarters. Infantry support is also contained within this group. It is not uncommon for a company of SBD-AMV4-GPV’s and their attached infantry to be resent as well. Recent developments of this chassis variant have led to an artillery transport that can move several mountain howitzers, or up to three assembled light field guns or tow a medium artillery piece, transport its crew and the ammunition needed for the artillery piece.