{"product_id":"ratel-the-making-of-a-legend-willem-botha-roland-de-vries-jan-ehlert-william-haddad-johan-sarge-nell-tony-savides-wessie-van-der-westhuizen-50th-anniversary-special-commemorative-edition","title":"Ratel: The Making of a Legend Willem Botha, Roland De Vries, Jan Ehlert, William Haddad, Johan (\"Sarge\") Nell, Tony Savides, Wessie Van Der Westhuizen 50th Anniversary Special Commemorative Edition","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"[content-visibility:auto] [contain-intrinsic-size:auto_400px] pb-8 -mb-8 print:[content-visibility:visible]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-test-render-count=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"contents\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-6 group\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-col items-end gap-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-user-message-bubble=\"true\" class=\"group relative inline-flex gap-2 bg-bg-300 rounded-xl pl-2.5 py-2.5 break-words text-text-100 transition-all max-w-[75ch] flex-col !px-4 max-w-[85%]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-row gap-2 relative\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-testid=\"user-message\" class=\"font-large !font-user-message py-0.5 grid grid-cols-1 gap-2 relative [\u0026amp;_ul]:!space-y-0 [\u0026amp;_ol]:!space-y-0 [\u0026amp;_ul]:pl-8 [\u0026amp;_ol]:pl-8\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-test-render-count=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"group\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"contents\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-is-streaming=\"false\" class=\"group relative relative pb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"font-claude-response relative leading-[1.65rem] [\u0026amp;_pre\u0026gt;div]:bg-bg-000\/50 [\u0026amp;_pre\u0026gt;div]:border-0.5 [\u0026amp;_pre\u0026gt;div]:border-border-400 [\u0026amp;_.ignore-pre-bg\u0026gt;div]:bg-transparent [\u0026amp;_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [\u0026amp;_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [\u0026amp;_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [\u0026amp;_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [\u0026amp;_\u0026gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRatel: The Making of a Legend\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eWillem Botha, Roland De Vries, Jan Ehlert, William Haddad, Johan (\"Sarge\") Nell, Tony Savides, Wessie Van Der Westhuizen\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e50th Anniversary Special Commemorative Edition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe definitive history of the Ratel Infantry Combat Vehicle, marking fifty years since it first entered service with the South African Army in 1975. This landmark work, now in an updated 2026 edition incorporating corrections and additional material not available at the time of initial publication, is the most comprehensive account ever produced of southern Africa's most iconic armoured fighting vehicle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eVolume 1: Origins traces the Ratel's development from the mechanised infantry doctrines of World War II through the critical design, evaluation, and procurement decisions of the early 1970s. Drawing on primary sources, official project documentation, and the firsthand testimony of the engineers, officers, and commanders who built and fielded the vehicle, it covers the full development arc from the Springfield Bussing Buffel contender trials through Operation Whisky, Operation Bariton, and the Ratel SS XDM prototype programme, culminating in the Ratel 20 ICV entering production and service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eVolume 2: Life with Ratel and Volume 3: The Ratel Register document the vehicle's operational life, its many variants, and the comprehensive register of individual vehicles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailable editions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003eLeather-bound Special Commemorative Edition with numbered gold challenge coin: R2 500\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003eHardcover Special Commemorative Edition with silver challenge coin: R1 750\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eHardcover Special Commemorative Edition \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e(no challenge coin):R1 450\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003eSoftcover (no challenge coin): R950\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003eChallenge coin (separately): R395\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"G5 Books","offers":[{"title":"Leather-bound Special Commemorative Edition with numbered gold challenge coin","offer_id":52520481063205,"sku":null,"price":2500.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Hardcover Special Commemorative Edition with silver challenge coin","offer_id":52520481095973,"sku":null,"price":1750.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Hardcover Special Commemorative Edition (no challenge coin)","offer_id":52520481128741,"sku":null,"price":1450.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Softcover (no challenge coin)","offer_id":52520481161509,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Challenge coin (separately)","offer_id":52520481194277,"sku":null,"price":395.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/9157\/8917\/files\/91.png?v=1780865385","url":"https:\/\/g5books.com\/af\/products\/ratel-the-making-of-a-legend-willem-botha-roland-de-vries-jan-ehlert-william-haddad-johan-sarge-nell-tony-savides-wessie-van-der-westhuizen-50th-anniversary-special-commemorative-edition","provider":"G5 Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}