The Series 2 Forward Area Ambulance is one of the more unusual and ingenious variants of the land rovers used by the Australian Army. Little is known of their history or numbers, and few survive in their original condition today.

Based on the short wheelbase Series 2 or 2a land rover, they were converted to be able to carry 2 stretchers on top of the tub of the vehicle. This was facilitated by an extended floor extending beyond the tailgate of the vehicle, an extended set of canopy hoops, and a longer canopy to cover the extension. Whilst it appears that they were only used in country during the Vietnam War, because of the lack of information and photos of the vehicles it's hard to tell. The canopies can be easily confused with a long wheelbase canopy as they appear to be the same length, however the window is in the forward half of the canopy to line up with where it would be on a normal swb canopy. Recently some of these canopies have emerged from a number of sources both in the vinyl type canopy as well as canvas ones.

It would make sense that they were an in the field modification as only a very small number of the larger long wheel base ambulances were taken to vietnam, and their size meant that they were not as manoeuvrable as their shorter counterparts. They were also a more valuable asset that commanders tended to want to keep away from the fighting. This gap in casualty evacuation appears to have been filled by these shorty ambulances.

If anybody has any more photos or information about these vehicles, please do not hesitate to contact REMLR.

A list of known vehicles can now be found at the bottom of this page.

Update: It appears that these vehicles were used in Australia as one REMLR registrant recalls them being used at Infantry Centre Singleton in the late 70's and early 80's by Reserve Units in Support of Cadet annual camps.

Another vietnam photo, this time only showing the front of the vehicle, but showing the short wheelbase and distinctive cross making.

Who is that man? he is Gordon Boyd (Bandsman and Infantry platoon medic) of Jannali NSW in Vietnam 1965 D Coy 1RAR

Outside the RAP in Vietnam.

This AWM photograph shows a tarped up FAA on the foreground, interestingly the cross on the door appears to have been painted over.

This AWM photo shows a FAA being unloaded from a ship.

This photo from ANZAC Steel shows a FAA with hastily applied camouflage of mud, presumably in Australia.

Another photo of Paul Handel's from ANZAC Steel showing the rear of a FAA (again, presumably in Australia) very well.

Copyright Phillip Hastings. 2010. The bumperettes and pintle hook were still to be refitted at this stage.

Copyright Phillip Hastings. 2010.

Copyright Phillip Hastings. 2008. The centre rear bow was still to be fitted as well.

From the DMO newsletter, Remember when articles by Mike Cecil. A Series 2 FAA, is this the "Prototype" ?