Land Rover Ambulance to ERV Conversions

In around 1986 there appears to have been a project aimed at creating some specialised Electronic Repair Vehicles(ERV). For whatever reason or need, it was chosen to convert ambulances to these ERV vehicles. At this stage we know of six of these conversions, although we have little detail on their exact purpose or layout other than what we can work out form photos, and what Army documents that we have hold.

At least two of these vehicles are in safe hands, one at the Vietnam Veterans Museum (114-203), the other in the hands of a REMLR member (114-563). Some of the others are of known locations, others unknown at this stage. Some are thought to be a possibility of having been converted, such as 114-206.

What was inside these vehicles, we don't really know at this stage. What we do know is that Railings along the body of the vehicle were fitted, as well as vents on both sides just behind the doors. The Blower unit above the driver / Co Driver has been removed on most, and in some cases what appears to be a storage box mounted on the outside of the vehicle in place of the vents. Stretcher racking etc in the rear was removed as well. In some vehicles extra windows appear to have been fitted, but it is unknown if the Army did this. Certainly two of the units that we have photos of have bamford winches fitted to the vehicles, whereas the ambulances normally had capstan winches fitted.

ARN	WB	Date	Contract	Model	Census	Nomenaclature	Engine	Chassis	Body	REMLR No.	Notes	Disposal	Vehicle Name
108-103	109	1961	C107028	Series 2	6362C	Truck, Ambulance, 3/4 Ton, GS, With Winch, 4 Stretcher	251714601	153100937	-		Converted to Electronic Repair Vehicle 12/06/1986 from 21 Supply Bn. For RAEME Spec Veh (ERV Prop). Page P6200707 NSW. Capstan winch. Archive photo showing name Tired. Converted to Electrical Workshop. Original Engine 151112427 replaced in 1972	not noted	-
108-111	109	1961	C107028	Series 2	6362C	Truck, Ambulance, 3/4 Ton, GS, With Winch, 4 Stretcher	25139085F	153101617	-		In service photos - 1 AFH Vietnam. Vietnam Reference in a number of documents. Appears in Vietnam MP Reports (Accidents, stolen etc), 1970-71, Accident June 1970 Served with 1 Field Hospital, 1971. Pictured in AWM image P04650.430 (Ref MC / M&D) Converted to Electronic Repir Vehicle 12/06/1986 from 21 Supply Bn. For RAEME Spec Veh (ERV Prop). Page P6200707 NSW. Capstan winch. Original Chassis 153100331 was replaced in 1973. Original Engine 151105737 replaced with 25139085F at the same time. Duplicate Chassis, Chassis number also listed for ARN 111-946 Originally listed for disposal as 29.08.85 but was not disposed of until a 2nd try later on.	08.09.88	-
114-197	109	1966	C116726	Series 2A	6362B	Truck, Ambulance, 3/4 Ton, GS, 4 Stretcher	25252347H	25316914C	-		Converted to Electronic Repair Vehicle 12/06/1986 from 32 Supply Bn. For RAEME Spec Veh (ERV Prop). Page P6200707	not noted	-
114-203	109	00.11.1966	C116726	Series 2A	6362B	Truck, Ambulance, 3/4 Ton, GS, 4 Stretcher	25250499H	25316761C	-		Converted to Electronic Repair Vehicle 12/06/1986 from 32 Supply Bn. For RAEME Spec Veh (ERV Prop). Page P6200707 Vietnam Veterans Museum Exhibit. 070R. Appears to have been converted to something at some stage, maybe photo lab. 2011 information indicates that this ambulance along with some others were converted to Electrical Workshops.	not noted	-
114-204	109	1966	C116726	Series 2A	6362B	Truck, Ambulance, 3/4 Ton, GS, 4 Stretcher	25251165H	25316835C	-		Converted to Electronic Repair Vehicle 12/06/1986 from 21 Supply Bn. For RAEME Spec Veh (ERV Prop). Page P6200707 08/4/1986 from 21 Sup Bn. For Transfer to SC13 for ERV Programme. page P6200704 Brisbane auction. Gumtree for sale 2017	18.02.93	-
114-563	109	00.09.1967	C104826	Series 2A	6362B	Truck, Ambulance, 3/4 Ton, GS, 4 Stretcher	2527968?H	25320906C	16196	169	Converted to Electronic Repair Vehicle 12/06/1986 from 32 Supply Bn. For RAEME Spec Veh (ERV Prop). Page P6200707 UN Namibia marked. Many mods to suit use as mobile RAEME secure 'Q' (auto electrical parts). Brisbane auction.	17.10.91	-
33-884	109	24/02/1981	-	Series 3	74480	Series 3 Maintenance Vehicle	94131161C	LBCAP1AF512769	42519		Liability 74480 Has been fitted with an Ambulance body that has been converted to an Electronic Repair Vehicle. Unknown if the body was transplanted as an Ambulance or ERV. Good condition when found in 2011. 101 workshop markings	-	-

108-103

The vehicle photographed below is thought to still exist in reasonably original condition.

This photo was purchased by Justin Pollard at Corowa in 2011

114-203 - Vietnam Veterans Museum This vehicle photographed below in 2011 has undergone some restoration towards being an ambulance once more. The window in the front has been replaced, and replica vents re installed.
Copyright Richard Green.	Copyright Richard Green. Rails on the outside, and 2 vents.	Copyright Richard Green. RHS vent detail
Copyright Richard Green. Inside. the windows are blacked out with carpet and curtains, making a regular camper conversion unlikely.	The original blanking of of the ambulance blower.	Linoleum flooring in the back.
Evidence of different interior paneling.	A old photo of the vehicle before restoration had begun.	This vehicle before any work had been done to it by the museum.

33-884 - Series 2 body on a Series 3 ?

This vehicle photographed below in 2011 has undergone some restoration towards being an ambulance once more. The window in the front has been replaced, and replica vents re installed.

The Bamford winch mounted at the front once more.

The same side rails and vents. Also no blower box vents.

Drivers side of the vehicle.

Detail of the side vent.

Inside a shelf with retaining bar over the drivers compartment.

Evidence of equipment removal in the rear, as well as a duller interior colour than the ambulances have.