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| The Australian military Series 2A ¾ ton Land-Rover Fitted For Transceiver (F.F.T.) and Fitted For Radio (F.F.R.) models were built to a body design and CES that was developed from the Series 2 Fitted For Wireless (F.F.W.). If the aerials don't always readily identify a radio fitted Land-Rover at a distance, then the rear view will every time. The rear tailgates on Land-Rover Series 2A FFT and FFR, Series 3 FFR, and even the Perentie FFR are all replaced by a scooped panel to allow for easier boarding for Sigs personnel. It follows that the vehicle's canvas is lengthened to suit the scoop and you can also see the tabs for the tie-down. Both the Series 2A FFR and the Series 2A Workshop variants had a front exhaust due to long periods of engine idling; the Radio truck to keep the batteries charged and the Workshop truck to run PTO fittings etc. This exhaust arrangement was achieved by reversing the exhaust manifold and fitting the muffler under the steering damper. Starting with the Land-Rover Series 2 FFW variant, the rear fittings of radio Land-Rovers included a left side and right side jerrycan holder in place of the normal left and right side 'sconecutters' as per Series 2A G.S.. But, once loaded into the holders, the jerrycans in Series 2 and 2A units would obviously obscure the left and right rear Formation and Unit markings or 'Tac plates'. To fix this Tac plate visibility problem, Series 2A units have differently positioned Tac plate holders. The left and right Tac holder brackets were each welded to their own small steel bars that were in turn each welded to the rear facings of the jerry-can holder. At a distance, the Tac plates would appear to be mounted in the middle of the jerry-cans. Obviously, without a jerry-can loaded into the holder, each Tac holder and it's mounting bracket resemble tiny "Keep off the Grass" type signs and they are a real hazard. They look ready to gash legs and clothing, and to catch ropes, etc, so it would have been practical if not a pure necessity to have jerrycans lashed in the jerrycan holders at all times. You will probably notice that below the scooped out area of a Series 2A FFR, in contrast to the Series 2 FFW, on the lefthand side, is a cut out 'hole' in the panel (shaped like half an orange); it is a toe hole or step to assist the movement in and out of the long suffering Sigs. On the corresponding righthand side of the scooped tailgate is the number plate light and the ARN plate location. (This FFW / FFT / FFR jerrycan holder setup became the standard fitting for Australian Series 3 Land-Rover FFR and GS variants and it was made neater because the high 'row' of Series 3 rear lights meant the holders could move as far as possible outboard). The Land-Rover Series 2A FFT and FFR featured various rear seats and various positions for those seats as the radio set designs and needs changed through the years. Overhead was a "interior light", mounted on the steel hoop that supported the canvas. These lights were half white and half red and had a toggle switch fitted to change between the two colours. A "fume curtain" mounted along the "front seat hoop" together with the front window curtains and rear (tailgate) curtain served to hide the Sig's work at night. Aerial tuning units on each side of the Land-Rover supported the HF aerials. Also the gardening tool brackets are mounted behind the front seats, not on the top of the front mudguards. |
  FFR rear pic |
 FFR rear interior -fume curtain down |
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Tim Dee and Phil Lloyd beside their 1970 Series 2A FFR voted "Best Individual Display" at the 1998 Queensland Military Jeep Club Swap Meet The Signal Corps gear and Cam was very close to the complete CES. These two REMLR and Queensland Military Vehicle Group members own more than 16 Ex-Army Landys (in varying degrees of restoration) between them. |
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1999 Award as well! Tim and Phil's display in 1999. Again they were awarded the "Best Individual Display" at the 1999 Queensland Military Jeep Club Swap Meet at Rochlea, Brisbane, October 1999. Their Series 2A Engineer Corp Workshop Land-Rover is set up to show a 'field service' setting - the Series 2A Fitted For Radio is 'having' an engine transplant. The engine is still new in it's crate under the tripod. Notice the large capacity FFR generator. The recovery trailer is on display out front. The Engineering and Signal Corps CES was very, very complete (the radio gear especially). This display sets a new benchmark in ex-mil Landy authenticity, restoration and preservation. |
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 Recovery trailer & Series 2A Workshop 109" |
 Engine ready to go in |
 Land-Rover S2A F.F.R. | Click to go to The Roseworthy Collection for More Series 2A F.F.R. pics More Series 2A F.F.T. info & pics |
| Another 2A FFR's bare interior 1968/9 unit at auction
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Series 2A 88" fitted with Radio kit Rare pic of ¼ton GS conversion
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