Series 2A Long Range Patrol Vehicles 'in service' -REMLR

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!

The black and white photographs added recently below the colour ones coem from teh same image collection. Thankyou to Bob Dimer for sending them to us.

	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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
	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
	Another intermediate setup, but with the wheel carrier from the final configuration vehicles. Photo: Bob Dimer
	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
	Mog mothership This large load carrier was apparently an overkill and hard to hide. Photo: Bob Dimer
	VM unit used recce trail bikes

	This early configuration unit appears to be well bogged. Jerry can storage on the seat box side as well as between bush bar and panels are in obvious sight as well as spare tyres mounted on the front of the bush bar.
	This very clear photofraph taken from above and without the clutter of equipment clearly shows the vehicle's layout Of interest the fuel tank not going full width, and only one storage locker on the left. A radio can be seen mounted on top of the fuel tank (PRC-57 or 77). The seat and shield for the rear gunner is also shown in good detail as well as the stowage bin between the front seats.
	One of the few LRPV photos showing a clear number plate, this photo shows an unusual rear bumper arrangement covering the gerry can mounts. This was probably before the later tailgates were added, or perhaps a unique vehicle for a specific purpose. Ammunition boxes seem to be mounted in teh rack on the RHS shown in the above photograph.
	Here a number of jerry cans are fitted, but it still does not seem to be the later type of tailgate, but built for the job of carrying jerry cans. This vehicle has been modified from a FFT as no tool brackets can be seen on the guards, and an antenna mount it still present on the side of the vehicle. A large ammount of equipment appears to be on board.
	This photograph appears to be the same vehicle as in the photo above going by the equipment on board. Although it appears that 2 machine guns are mounted on teh bolkhead, it is in fact a second vehicle beside the first. Interestingly this vehicle seems devoid of any brackets to hold PSP.
	A view showing a machine gun mount and the custom switchgear on the dashboard. It is hard to make out what the writing says in this photo, but the mount seems to be a part of a flat sheet of steel, maybe armour plate?
	A few vehicles on operation together. the SAS's attitude towards uniforms is shown in stark contrast to the standard unifrorm of the time.
	Another photograph where most of a registration is visible. This vehicle appears to be less modified, and carrying less equipment than the others.
	Another partial number plate, as well as some markings of one sort on the rifle box on the guard. The vehicle in this photo is 178-404 which now belongs to REMLR member Stuart K. The photo 2 down shows the same vehicle, even with the same driver!
	Another view of one of the early configurations. Spare tyres obscure any number plate, but PSP can be seen hanging and a machine gun mount with no shield and a built in seat can be seen. By the looks of it intended as much for anti aircraft as anti troop.
	This view of a river crossing is much the same as the image above, although one spare wheel has been removed. In this case the UK pink panther style rifle box can be seen quite clearly. The missing spare appears to be in the back. The vehicle in this photo is 178-404 which now belongs to REMLR member Stuart K.
	The rifle box can be seen more clearly in this photograph. The vehicle appears to be on exercise as radio antennas can be seen as well as a wire cutter / protection bar. 2 motorbike tyres can be seen on the front as well. Tool brackets are still on top of the guards at this stage.