Some time ago I was sent a very smart little booklet and CD from Land Rover entitled: "60 years of Land Rover." And it's been kicking around in my laptop bag for weeks. So I thought I'd finally take a look at what was on it and I found these rather nice images..This shows a Series I tilt test (I guess it would be around the time the LR was launched i.e. in 1948. (Anyay all these pictures are copyright images reproduced by kind permission of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust.)
Here's a new one on me. The caption says Series II 'Forest Rover'--more like a one-eyed amphibian to me. Anyone know anything about it and care to share their thoughts with a comment to Biglorryblog?
I have no idea who this bloke is...but he must spend a fortune on cigars...(and for a quick pie he used to suffer from occasional bouts of depression. What did he call them?)
More Series IIs...but what Biglorryblog wants to know is what's the plane behind them?. I once flew on one from Southend to Umea to visit Volvo's cab plant. The heating packed up half way across the North Sea and it was $%^&* cold! Now click through here for a completely unbelievable picture...
Clearly this 'Shooting Brake' Land Rover picture was a sign of the times--i.e. speedy unloading thanks to crack double-manned British Rail loader and sack barrow operator team (And I apologise unreservedly to all former British Rail porters for that foul slur...)
Comments (8)
The Forest Rover was one of a small number converted by the Roadless Traction company of Isleworth Middlesex who normally specialised in tracked and large wheel conversions of Fordson tractors. customers for the Forest Rover included the Forrestry Commission, the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electricity Authority in Australia and HR Wallingford whose two examples (Bogtrotter I and II) were sold off as late as 2000. The Dunsfold Trust has a Forest Rover in their display.
I do not know if it was in your book but there was an even stranger Land Rover called the Cuthbertson built in Scotland which had four track units which were interchangeable with the normal LR wheels. The BMIHT has one of these in their display.
Posted by D Powell | July 16, 2008 9:39 AM
Posted on July 16, 2008 09:39
Hi Brian,
There are plenty of series II about still and a very active series II owners club. I find myself with the dubious honour of paying to keep a 1967 vintage Landy running ( Note: I dont say own, as the money pit actually belongs to the wife).
Driving a series II is an adventure in its self, Steering is a bit hit and miss, brakes dont seem to have much effect on forward velocity and nil effect in reverse. Comfort isnt a word that landrover seemed to have heard of neither did they seem to realise that eardrums are in fact quite sensitive too noise.
It is questionable which is worse, the fuel consumption or the amount of engine oil a series II emits from every pore.
All in all a series II costs a fortune to run, is noisy, uncomfortable, slow, unreliable
and a complete and utter delight to take out on the road. Driving at its rawest!!
A picture of the beast.
http://usera.imagecave.com/TNUK/ec8f_1_b.jpg
Posted by Rikki Chequer | July 16, 2008 10:44 AM
Posted on July 16, 2008 10:44
There are no props so I would guess the plane is a De Havilland Comet
Posted by Tim Giles | July 16, 2008 11:55 AM
Posted on July 16, 2008 11:55
when i was in porthcawl air cadets in 1978,we went on summer camp and flew in a plane just like that one pictured i am sure it was called a viscount.
Posted by andrew cooper | July 16, 2008 12:47 PM
Posted on July 16, 2008 12:47
Churchill refered to his depression as "Black Dog"
Posted by Ian Choularton | July 16, 2008 2:10 PM
Posted on July 16, 2008 14:10
I'd say it's a Vickers Viscount. A Comet is longer and has jet exhausts on the trailing edge of the wing alongside the fuselage. It's what mutated into the Nimrod.
I'll just hang up the anorak.
Posted by 8wheels | July 16, 2008 10:03 PM
Posted on July 16, 2008 22:03
I believe that aircraft is a Vickers Viscount, which, before the advent of the 737 was the aircraft used on the main trunk routes here in NZ. It is certainly not a Comet.
Posted by Vic Hungerford | July 16, 2008 10:06 PM
Posted on July 16, 2008 22:06
if i remember corerctly, a certain winston churchill once said
"i'm hungry and i go by tummy time. i want my dinner"
Posted by john beesley | July 18, 2008 2:28 PM
Posted on July 18, 2008 14:28