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Australian United Nations Deployments At varying times the Australian Army has deployed vehicles overseas to support United Nations actions. These vehicles have been painted in over all white with UN in large black letters usually written on the doors. Many 4x4 and 6x6 110 Perenties have been deployed, but some Series 3 and Series 2a vehicles have also been deployed. In some cases vehicles were painted white in readiness for a deployment, and put in storage, but then never used. One REMLR member has one such vehicle, a series 2a ambulance converted to a workshop in the back. The Army Museum Bandiana has another ambulance also painted white for deployment. It is not thought either vehicles were sent overseas, as by the time the deployment occurred, the Land Rover 6x6 Ambulances had replaced them. One Series 2a workshop that is known to have been deployed is now on display at the Australian War Memorial. It is difficult to know which vehicles were sent overseas because photos of these vehicles overseas normally show the vehicles wearing united nations number plates. UN deployments that vehicles may have been sent to include:
For more information on UN deployments visit http://www.peacekeepers.asn.au/ or the AWM Page on Peacekeeping operations
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The largest single operation the volume will deal with is Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). In 1979–80 a contingent of 150 Army officers and non-commissioned officers monitored a shaky peace settlement leading up to elections and the introduction of genuine majority rule. The vehicles in this photo appear to be Series 3 General Service vehicles with a white square and red kangaroo painted on the side. Information from the AWM website can be found here |
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  AWM photo P01940.001 taken by Martin Turnbull |
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592 personnel in two rotations were sent to Namibia as a part of Australia's Commitment to the UNTAG. There is certainly clear photographs of Australian Army vehicles being sent to Namibia with UNTAG. The vehicles wore United Nations number plates so we do not know the specific identity of any vehicles that went. They also had white canopies, we are unsure if these are vinyl canopies, or painted canvas ones. At least Five series 3 FFR vehicles can be counted in one photograph. One workshop vehicle on display with the AWM appears to have been prepared and sent as well. One of the FFR's sent appears to have been prepared as an MP vehicle as well. In so far as markings are concerned, some vehicles in these photos show UN markings on the rear body of the vehicle, others on the doors. Perhaps this was the difference between the initial and second rotations? The below excerpts were taken from this website http://members.optusnet.com.au/~clarries/Army1t.html
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 The tac worn by vehicles deployed with UNTAG |
 Series 3 FFR's and No.5 trailers waiting to be loaded onto a C-5 Galaxy for transport from Australia to Namibia |
 Series 3's and Ford LTDs on board the Galaxy |
 Unloading the vehicles in Namibia. The vehicle on the left seems to have been prepared as an MP vehicle. |
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 This is an official AWM photograph |
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 Copyright Joshua Murray |
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 Copyright Joshua Murray |
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For more information on these deployments see the AWM UNTAC Page From this deployment onwards, the Land Rover 110 and 6x6 were the soft sin vehicles of choice as they had replaced the series 3 and series 2 specialist vehicles still in service Standard canopies appear to have been retained, whist an overall white paint job with UN on the doors, rear of the vehicle and bonnet. |
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 Here is a photo of Perentie FFR we used in Cambodia (UNTAC) 1992-1993. It is a good demonstration of the point I have made previously about the various ant mounts being removed modified etc. It can clearly be seen that this vehicle was painted white prior to OS deployment but some crafty sig (probably me) has removed the rear ant mount as demonstrated by the OD paint now showing. Front mount has HF Raven installed. Photo: Mark Thomas |
 A pair of Perentie 110's deployed with UNTAC. |
 A pair of Perentie 110's deployed with UNTAC. |
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For more information about this deployment visit the AWM page Vehicles sent to somalia seem to have been completely standard in markings and equipment.
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For more information on the deployment see the AWM UNAMIR page Vehicles were once again painted in all white with UN markings. In the case of the ambulances, the red crosses were in the original locations, but the circles are obscured / not required by the fact that the whole vehicle is all white. |
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 It is interesting to note the spare tyre mount shown in this photograph. |
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