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Rapier Air Defence in Germany
During the Cold War, the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) was prepared for armed conflict due to the threat of a Soviet invasion of western Europe. This painting depicts Rapier fire units of the Royal Artillery in the countryside of West Germany.
Rapier is a surface-to-air missile developed for the British Army to provide area, Low-Level Air- Defence, and entered service in 1971. It was operated by 12 and 22 Air Defence Regiments RA based at Napier Barracks near Dortmund; and by 16 AD Regt RA based in the UK.
The original Rapier took the form of a two-wheeled launcher carrying four missiles, an optical tracker unit, a generator, and a trailer of reserve missiles. The launcher consists of a vertical cylindrical unit carrying two missiles on each side. Royal Artillery batteries comprised three troops each of four fire units.
A Fire Unit is deployed at the left of the picture. Two gunners operate the optical tracker and the sighting stick. In the background the trucks which tow the system are hidden under camouflage netting, guarded by a sentry.
The first production Tracked Rapier entered service with 11 (Sphinx) Battery of 22 Air Defence Regiment in 1983 in Napier Barracks near Dortmund. A Tracked Rapier Launch Vehicle is seen on the road, followed by its Missile Resupply Vehicle (a modified M548).
Near the farmhouse is an M548 of a REME Forward Area Support team with test facilities and spares.
22 Air Defence Regiment RA was formed in 1947. It was based at Napier Barracks since November 1977. In March 1985 the Regiment became the first "square" Rapier unit, with 4 missile batteries: two tracked (11 & 53 Batteries); and two towed (35 & 42 Batteries). Each battery had 12 fire units. I visited Napier Barracks in 1985 and was commissioned by the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess to paint this scene.
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Printed image size(s): B2 only (58 x 38 cm)
Owner: Royal Regiment of Artillery
Price(s): £70
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