The Registry Of Ex-Military Land-Rovers Au, NZ, etc

A number of markings are often found on Army Land Rovers, some official and with meaning, others are more obscure. A range of these are described on this page. if you know the meaning of any markings mentioned here, or have more information about them, please contact REMLR.

Christmas Tree

The "Chistmas Tree" markings are 4 horizontal bars which are shaped to make a pyramid, accompanied by a four digit number, a Kangaroo and the word ARMY. The colouring of the bars in the tree represent numbers, the same numbers which are found with the tree in fact. This number makes up part of a unit's Establishment registration Number or ERN. This is also called a Unit Recognition Mark (URM).

We don't have a listing of these ERN numbers and corresponding units, but we do know what they are used for. The christmas tree marking is added to identify what unit the equipment belongs to. These are normally used on deployments or exercises. On a Land Rover the marking is found on the wing / fender / mudguard just behind the front wheel. Only the first 4 digits of the ERN is printed on the vehicle. The final digit is not included.

These markings used to be painted on, but recently have been replaced by stickers. However some colours can vary a little depending on the die in the sticker. It is somewhat like the bands on resistors in electronics, each colour represents a number. The ARMY and the Kangaroo are usually in a bright or Flourescent orange.

1 Red
2 Blue
3 Yellow
4 Green
5 Grey (looks like pale blue sometimes)
6 Fawn/sand (colour changes slightly as per die)
7 Orange
8 Dark Green (almost black at times)
9 White
0 Brown

These are some units for whom we know their ERN number.

1129 = 12 FD REG
5207 = 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (QMI)
5349 = 21 Construction Squadron
5434 =16 AD
5974 = 1 Sigs Regiment
6490 = 2 RAR
6519 = 5/7 RAR
6521
= 6 RAR
6841 = 26 Transport Squadron
8040 = 9 CSSB
8049 = 10 FSB
8050 = 3 CSSB
8365 = 101 Field Workshop
9211 = 2 CAV (or is it 5211?)
9224 = 1st Armoured Regement
9388 = Army Museum Bandiana

Other unknown ERN Numbers

2117
5207
5302
5307
5377
5450
5997
6480
6490
6507
6521
7706
7723
8366
8368
8910
8913
9128
9502

Tactical Markings on Doors

On the doors of some vehicles belonging to Infantry, Engineering or Armoured units, a number of shapes are sometimes found. These are tactical markings and relate to which company or squadron the vehicle belongs. Troop, platoon or section numbers are to be painted inside or beside these signs. The letter H is to be used to denote the HQ of the Squadron or Company. In Engineering units the number indicates the vehicle's number. If it is a fraction, the first number is the Troop / Platoon, and the 2nd number is the vehicle's number within that Troop / Platoon.

Diamond - HQ
Triangle - A Squadron / Company
Square - B Squadron / Company
Circle - C Squadron / Company
Rectangle (longest side vertical) - D Squadron / Company

Rectangle (longest side horizontal) - Support Company / Battalion

Other markings and names

It is not unusual to find other markings and names on vehicles. Things such as "Tasmanian Devil" have been found written along the wing of one vehicle, and Mr Walker with a picture of the phantom on the wing of another. This appears more prelavent on workshop vehicles than others, buit it is not limited to them. One REMLR member found the name 'Coma ~ Toes' II painted across the drivers side air vent. Armoured vehicles with names usually have names beginning with the letter of the squadron. For example, Bandicoot would belong to the B Squadron. And whilst vehicles like land rovers were not normally named, examples of this seem to appear.

Animals and Unofficial logos

A number of logos and insignia have been found painted on vehicles. A Rhino belonging to an unknown unit has been found on a number of units.

A Camel is another example that has been found, and according to it's ex members, it signifys a vehicle attached to 26 Transport Squadron.

Another is of a running emu, and belongs to 8 TPT SQN (SA).

3CER has a paw print (Dingo print)

Markings on Doors

One other known set of markings used on Land Rover doors is the logo for the School of Armour at Puckapunyal in Victoria. The School's logo is a mailed fist over a boomerang, sometimes with the words School of Armour written on the boomerang. These are stickers and have been spotted on Perentie 110 FFR's as well as discovered on a Series 3 FFR's.

 

 

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