1980 - 1999 Cold War defrost and Desert War (1) warms up (Page One of Two)
the 1980s was the last decade of the Cold War
There are too many vehicles (and still some to come) to fit onto just one page, So the 1980 to 1993 page has been split into two. This is the first part.
the 1990s up to the Draw-down included the first modern Gulf War years
Land Rover 90 and 110 (Defender) Series
Some Land Rovers coming back to Germany from Desert Storm included in some cases air conditioning as in this example (Back in BAOR camo colours) above. In fact as in the 1920s, the adaption is not for the user, but for the equipment! Another luxury vehicle, (this time for user) some with sinks and cooking facilities, are the Carawagons (aka Pantechnicon’s, referring to the stowage area over the cab) which were first officially introduced in 1984 but some were handmade by REME in the 1970’s. In fact it is reported on some internet sites that the first ones were made in 1966.
The CARAWAGON was designed and built by R J Searle originally as a camper conversion with a pop up roof for civilian use, and based on the “Westfalia” camper conversions of VW mini-busses in Germany. Although already unofficially made in the mid 1970s, it was later “Officially” adopted by the British army as a Tactical Command Post (TCP), a vehicle which could be used as a field office and sleeping quarters for senior officers. The early models used frames and canvas to link the hinged roof together as in the version above. Later models used complex curved metal panels and mechanics for a better result. Both allow that the roof "pops up" to give enough head clearance to walk around in the back.A full length Rear bench seat (on the left) folds down to make a double bed. A map Table can be hinged up to offer a cooker, and sink and in some cases even a fridge.
More blue-light (emergency Services) vehicles can be found in the special Blue-Light (CLICK HERE) page
More Armoured and Tracked Vehicles in a special page (CLICK HERE)
Land Rover 101 Forward Control Series
Originally conceived in the mid 1960s, and designed as a soft top GS to pull the then new 105mm Light Gun, the 101 forward control has an active driven trailer hook allowing the trailer to be powered and making a 4x4 into a flexible linked 6x6. The wheels have six bolts instead of the usual five, supposedly to suit the wheels on the gun carriages for which it was originally designed. Built and deployed from 1972 to 1978, and later despite the production having been stopped at least three years earlier, from 1981 to 1989 as the Ambulance version.
Above “Shiny and new” as arrived from Depot or Factory, and below after just two days in the Regiment
It could be knocked down to make it Air Portable for suspension under a Helicopter (and if needed by removing roll over protect bar, the tilt window and doors, made even lighter or lower depending upon place inside an aircraft)
in English means “Attention! Enemy Overhears”
It is necessary to show the “wrong side” of the vehicle above, in order to see the sloped bank of Plessey made internals.
V.A.M.P.I.R.E = Vehicle, Army, Mobile, Position Interception, Radio Equipment
Vampires love blood, as does this next vehicle...
The 101 Ambulance is somewhat unique in that all of them were registered six years before being built, in 1975 (with a “GJ” army number) but actually built and first deployed between 1981 to 1989 (when the 101 production had long since ended - 1972 to 1978) In order to do this the production used reserved half finished 101s, mainly for axle parts and chassis, range-rover engines, and a lot of last issue Series 3 normal land rover parts. In all only 150 were made between 1981 and 82.
Land Rover 110 “Wolf” Series
(The Wolf is essentially available in the same roles as the vehicles above) The Wolf is a Hi Spec version of the Defender with a stronger chassis, more powerful engine and drive gear. The Spare wheel is mounted on the Side, as the bonnet was considered too heavy to lift (under new H&S rules) and the bonnet now carries Shovel, Pickaxe and a long flexible tube to carry the exhaust fumes away from the vehicle, when static-running to keep Radios going or charging batteries (also a part of the new H&S rules)
In the above, the dish folds down flat to the front and encompasses the folding arm and head of the antenna, then a cover (which sticks out to the back as shown above, and makes a good rain cover for the crew entering the vehicle at the back during adverse weather) is moved forward to cover the assembly and protect it from tree branches or extreme weather.
