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| The Australian Army Land-Rover Series 2A ¼ ton G.S. (Census 6005) came into service in 1963 and 1964. Other than the orthodox Land-Rover Series 2A drive-train improvements, the Australian Army Series 2A units feature significant chassis alterations in comparison with civilian Series 2A units and the more-or-less civilian Series 2 units that had been in service since the end of 1958. The chassis features extended front spring mounts and rear spring shackles that increase the ride height of the vehicle. More chassis and suspension info. |  |
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The bump-stop supports are modified a corresponding amount. An extra outrigger is fitted to carry a duplicate 10 gal fuel tank on the passenger-side. The rear cross-member has a PTO tunnel in the usual place, although it is a smaller diameter than the civilian equivalent. The shock absorbers are longer, the tyres are 7.50-16. Also, under the bonnet, the good ol' 2.25 four cylinder Land-Rover petrol engine was fitted with double fan belts (gen: code 11A1030, alt: code 11A1075). Early units were 12 volt pos earth, later units neg earth.
Exterior fittings On the G.S. units (88" and 109"), to the right of the driver-side "sconecutter", on the last inch of the cross-member, there is usually a fair size wingnut for earthing purposes (suit radio kit) and on the passenger-side rear crossmember, inside the "sconecutter", there is a NATO type trailer electrics connection (hence the notch cut out for the trailer connector cable). Other exterior fittings are the brushguard, yellow bridge-weight-classification plate (BWC), front tac sign holders, blackout light, towing tongues, cut wings (with steel rod strengtheners), "gardening tool" brackets, a canvas strap (for the securing the windscreen when it's folded down - Joe Coolin' - see foot note) thru a footman loop on the spare tyre mount (galv. plate in the centre of the bonnet), rear light protectors, pintle hook, side mounted number plate light, rear tac sign holders, white mudflaps, and the extra fuel tank filler on the passenger side. As well, a diff illumination light is tucked up in the rear of chassis box section.
Interior fittings G.S. units have a map light (same unit as the diff light), fire extinguisher, blackout switch, a dual mechanical oil-pressure and water temperature gauge, odometer (marked "1408" to suit 7.50-16 tyres), ignition switch with push button centre, fuel gauge switch, fuel tank 3-way tap (on the seatbox beside the handbrake boot), and a high beam switch on the floor between the clutch and brake pedals (with a metal channel protecting the switch loom - civilian models have the switch to the left of the clutch pedal - this modification maybe directly related to Army boots). Under the centre seat base, between the twin 10 gal fuel tanks (which have Series 1 type brass dip sticks to back up the electric fuel gauge), sits a fabricated lift-out toolbox painted yellow (shaped like a model of a swimming pool with floor that slopes between a shallow end and a deep end) with a standard looking cover (female section lock fitting on the top front edge and a modified rear bracket underneath to lock with the rear of the toolbox). The front seats and rear folding seats are the usual Land-Rover types, in that dark green colour.
On some 2A G.S. units, a chain, a bracket and a wingnut secured a jerry can behind the front seats (without fouling the rear seats). The chain passed from the centre upright (which secures a spare tyre in civilian models) thru the handle of jerry can and across to a bracket behind the driver. Three lengths of angle aluminium were mounted on the rear floor below the upright to surround and secure the bottom of the jerry can against the front seat "bulkhead".
Appearance and markings The early G.S. units were supplied painted gloss Bronze Green enamel. This colour was over-sprayed in the Vietnam war era with acrylic flat Olive Drab. The flat paint is not as "hard" as gloss enamel, and it is more porous. This means that without occasional "top up coats", steel fittings such as tac sign holders and exterior mirrors will rust.
The rear corners of the vehicle, i.e., the sconecutters/bumpers, are
usually painted white for black-out convoy purposes. The back of the
rear diff is painted white to suit black-out convoy work too. The ends
of the front bumper are painted white as a visibility measure when on
regular roads with civilian traffic.
Many units in the fleet had a "Load Sign Marking". Starting with the Series 2 units, a LSM was placed on the rear of the vehicle, on the lefthand-side, below and approximately the same size as the tac sign holder. The letters and numbers were painted white onto a flat black square background. With Series 2A units, prior to about 1969, the Load Sign Marking was usually located on the lefthand-half of the tail-gate panel. This marking layout and position is correct for pre-1970 vehicles (Series 2 and 2A 88" and 109") used in a cargo carrying type role, (typically G.S.). Basically the marking consisted of the word "LOAD" stencilled or signwritten in white letters and numbers approximately ½inch wide and 2inch high across the top. Below this was the max. weight: eg., "1/4 TON" for 88" or "3/4 TON" for 109" written in full. This was painted on a 6inch square background, painted flat black. After 1969, the Army appeared to re-adopt the smaller type LSM on the rear lefthand-side, below, and the same size as, the tac sign holder, with white letters and numbers on a 6inch square background, painted flat black, in decimals: eg., "3/4 TON" became ".75t" (the word "TON" became a lowercase "t"). An LSM exception should also be noted in regard to Series 2A F.F.T. and F.F.R. units. Because of the "scooped tailgate" fabrication peculiar to these Sigs models, the LSM could not fit on the lefthand-side of the tailgate and so it was placed on the lefthand-side rear panel as per Series 2 vehicles. Thanks to Scott C. of South Australia for all the LSM notes. Tyre pressure markings were also sprayed in white using stencils, above the axles, a ¼inch from the edge of the mudguard. A driver warning sign was painted on the facia to the right of the steering column using white paint and a stencil onto the existing facia paint. Some were "40 MPH MAX" and others "45 MPH MAX". A High-Low selection instruction plate was fixed along the top of the centre twin dials and guages of the facia. It is about 1 inch high and 12inches long. For further info on Series 2A facias, see Land-Rover Series 2, 2A cabin controls and I.D. plates. For further info on Tac signs and Formation signs, see |
- - more of the story - -
Series 2A ¼ Ton GS Skippy -
New Zealand.
Australian Military Land-Rover Series
2A ¾ ton
More details on Australian Military
Land-Rovers fleet numbers and paint schemes.
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FYI, driving with the windscreen folded down (Joe Coolin') is okay if you have your sunglasses... but it sure has drawbacks without them. I found that around town things are fine but that on the open road you get too much wind in the eyes above 40mph. Also, the wind noise in the ears means you cannot listen to the hum of the bar treads... Now if you're going to go on the open road, even with your sunglasses firmly on, make sure the windscreen is held down with the strap attached to the spare tyre mount in the middle of the bonnet (part of the GS CES) that's put there for that very purpose. Or at least use an ocky strap. Why? For good reasons. I had handled the windscreen a bit and knew how much it weighed... but on the open road, suffering a bit too much of the aforementioned wind-in-the-eyes, I was thinking about pulling over and standing the windscreen up... But there was traffic behind me and it was a skinny road and... we hit a bit of a bump and in a second the windscreen stood itself up with the aid of the wind. Without missing a beat both the passenger and myself had grabbed the top of the windscreen with one hand and started tightening the windscreen wing nut with the other hand. It was definitely a bit of a heart starter! Note to self: "So that's why the General Service CES includes that strap!" |
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