Landrover

The Museum's Land Rover was assembled by Pressed Metal Corporation, Cosgrove Rd Enfield from a C.K.D. kit [complete knock down] made at Rover works, Solihull, UK  probably about 8/1966. The special fitters body was fitted to the cab chassis supplied.  The old Eastern Command Workshop doing the fit out prior to 9/67 at which time the odometer showed 22 miles.

The vehicle is a standard series 2 Landrover fitted with an optional long range 11.3 imperial gallon fuel tank as opposed to the sixteen gallon tanks which reduced ground clearance by about 5.5 inches. Because the Army saw it to be more cost effective with special bodies such as this and the ambulances a system to retro fit later model mechanical sub assemblies such as engines and complete diff assemblies the vehicle was upgraded to series 2A throughout. Probably at the same time the guards were cut away at the front ,and extended spring hangers fitted to enable the vehicle to be air dropped. In accord with land rover specification the vehicle is fitted with std 109 brake drums of 11 inch dia, Lockheed hydraulics and Lucas electrics.  The Solex carburettor as fitted appeared almost exclusively on Army Landrovers, and warts and all this was retained despite its relevant inefficiency.

The museum's Land-Rover and accompanying trailer [awaiting restoration] was kindly donated by the Museum of the Corps of the Royal Australian Engineers, Steele Barracks, Moorebank.

'Perentie' Landrovers are still in service with the Australian Army. Built by Jaguar Rover in Australia in the 1980s they have constant 4 wheel drive and an Isuzu Diesel power plant. The drive train and suspension are Australian design.