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Sunday, 9 July 2006, 23:01 GMT 00:01 UK

Harry starts tank training

Prince Harry takes a break from driving a light tank Prince Harry is learning to drive light tanks as he begins the next stage of his army training.

The prince, 21, took control of the eight-ton Scimitar at Bovington Camp in Dorset, having just completed the first part of his Troop Leaders' course.

He will also learn to maintain the armoured reconnaissance vehicles, which have a driver, gunner and a commander.

Harry completes his "recce soldier" training as a member of the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals in October.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Prince Harry has begun the second phase of his Troop Leaders' course, for the first time driving an armoured reconnaissance vehicle."

THE SCIMITAR


Scimitar Reconnaissance Vehicle at the Army's Armour Centre, Allenby Barracks, Bovington near Wareham, Dorset

In July 1993 the eight-year-old prince accompanied his mother, the late Diana, Princess of Wales, to a military barracks in Bergen-Hohne, Germany.

He donned fatigues, complete with the name HRH The Prince, to clamber aboard a Scimitar light tank, almost identical to the one he is learning to drive.

During this course he will also learn about communications and the information systems in the vehicles, before moving to Lulworth for six weeks of gunnery training on live firing ranges.

The final part of the course is five weeks at Warminster, when Prince Harry will use all of his knowledge in armoured tactics training and take part in exercises commanding troops.

As a Troop Leader the prince will eventually be qualified to command a troop of four armoured vehicles.



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Related to this story:
Harry starts commander training (22 May 06 |  Dorset )
Harry joins the Blues and Royals (08 May 06 |  Berkshire )
Profile: Prince Harry (15 Sep 05 |  UK )

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