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These are SASR LRPV 'in-service' photos similar to those in a recent publication by the SASR Association's Historical Collection. The book shows the Land-Rover Series 2A LRPV, Unimog 'Motherships' and trail bikes, etc, in street parades and 'on exercise' from about 1975 to 1986. A range of CES is shown on the LRPVs in the photos and there is some explanatory text. The SASR Vehicle Mounted units used these Land-Rover Series 2A LRPVs on treks all over the back of W.A., N.T., and S.A.. If you want to know more about the LRPV, buy the book: SAS - A Pictorial History of the Special Australian Air Service 1957 - 1997 by M.J. Malone OAM (Capt, SASR, Ret.) - buy from the author at ImprimaturBooks.com.au (website). Brian B. has visited the author and been impressed by the Association's collection and ongoing work. SASR LRPVs setups: All the following comments are sus at best. We await improvements and corrections from those who know better - hint! |
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Original setup Series 2A LRPV
These original setup Series 2A LRPVs are seen in SASHC VM unit photos from 1973 onward, here on a Nullabor train. Originally worked 'in-service' without Roll Over Protection Steel(?) (ROPS) fitted. The front LRPV in the pic has no ROPS fitted but others do, so this pic would be 1974. There are other SASRHC photos showing the original setup Series 2A LRPVs in 1973 with no ROPS. Note the front seat GPMG mount is on the facia/firewall, probably in line with the normal maplight position. Also note the rear stowage lockers on each side. |
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As above. In the original LRPV setup the spare tyres are mounted out front on the brushguard and in front of the Bamford winch. Click for detail pic of tyre mount. Pic from Overlander article by Jim McNamara, Feb/Mar 1978. |
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As above. The Perforated Steel Plate (PSP) is mounted on the sides. This pic shows the original ROPS. The ROPS were fitted sometime in 1974. The ROPS "proved to be a necessity after a few close calls." Pic from Overlander article by Jim McNamara, Feb/Mar 1978. |
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Intermediate setup - on exercise
On intermediate setup LRPVs the spare tyres have been moved from the front to the sides to presumably improve access to the Bamford winch and redistribute some weight. The PSP and the ROPS are still as per the original setup. Seen on SASRHC photos from exercises 1982. See Brian B's LRPV. |
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Intermediate setup - Perth Bi-Centennial
Parade 1988
Note that on some of the intermediate setup LRPVs the front seat GPMG mount was moved outboard, effectively using the redundant doormounts (as per Brian B's LRPV). Photo: Bob Dimer |
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As above. The rear tailgate/board is seen in the up position with jerrycans each side of it, partly obscured by the protruding PSP. Photo: Bob Dimer |
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Another intermediate setup, but with the wheel carrier from the final configuration vehicles. Photo: Bob Dimer
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Final setup LRPV - Perth Bi-Centennial
Parade 1988
The PSP was moved to the brushguard (the sections must have been shortened to fit). The tyres were still mounted on the sides but moved to a position beside a modified ROPS. A batwing affair is installed adjacent to the sides of the firewall. A trail bike can be carried across the rear tailboard area on a 'bike bracket'. See Matthew R's LRPV. These final setup Series 2A LRPVs are seen in SASHC photos from the middle of the 1980's. They were auctioned off in the early 1990's. Photo: Bob Dimer
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Mog mothership
This large load carrier was apparently an overkill and hard to hide. Photo: Bob Dimer
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VM unit used recce trail bikes |
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