The History and Development of Land Rover Ambulances
As I've been learning about Katy and about Land Rover Ambulances I've come across a lot of information and have decided to pull it together here.
Much of this information has come from on-line sources so this is a mix of primary (only a few from people like Land Rover themselves or brochures), secondary and tertiary sources. The problem in getting to primary sources is that even most of the published books I have found are not written in an academic way and therefore are not referenced to primary sources so must be taken as suspect until proven otherwise.
So please do feel free to comment or correct and most especially point me at any useful information sources I've not come across yet.
As I've been learning about Katy and about Land Rover Ambulances I've come across a lot of information and have decided to pull it together here.
Much of this information has come from on-line sources so this is a mix of primary (only a few from people like Land Rover themselves or brochures), secondary and tertiary sources. The problem in getting to primary sources is that even most of the published books I have found are not written in an academic way and therefore are not referenced to primary sources so must be taken as suspect until proven otherwise.
So please do feel free to comment or correct and most especially point me at any useful information sources I've not come across yet.
Quotes are used within this page on the basis that I have used less than 10% of any page or book and therefore "fair use" for academic or research reasons. if anyone feels otherwise please get in touch and I will consider and address any issues raised
Rather than pinching pictures off the Internet I'm going to look out for these vehicles and get some pictures of them as I see them to add to this summary so it will be text only for now for most of the variants described, and I'll link to pictures unless given permission to use them or I believe they are free to use (marketing images, or available under licence).
Land Rover History
A useful reminder for the information below is the dates of manufacture of the base Land Rover Vehicles
They are basically 2 main categories, Military and Civilian. Some were built for both markets with minor changes and many ex-military ambulances have then done service as civilian ambulances, and It's likely that design feedback and ideas fed back into all special projects under the Land Rover Special Vehicles group
There is a numbering system for British forces vehicles from which I have extracted the following list of Land Rover Ambulances I have added the series where I am reasonably confident I've tracked it down if anyone reading knows better please let me know
It will help to understand this if I add this table which is a simple versions of what I understand the military descriptions to be (much of this comes from another excellent EMLRA Article) which gives the complete complexities
UK Forces Military Ambulances Back to top
An update to the general introduction above is needed here. My one exception to the comments about books not quoting primary historical sources and giving detailed references is the book British Military land rovers by James Taylor and Geoff Fletcher.
If this is a topic that interest you then I recommend that book as an excellent and detailed one to start with. I will not be detailing all the information they present as that would be beyond “fair use”
Series I Bonallack Military Ambulances
In my opinion these are the first vehicles that can be properly considered as purpose made ambulances.
The original introduction to this section stated “I've found a lot of information so far, Series 1 were certainly used, but some of the on-line and in print information conflicts as to the start of ambulances, anywhere between 1954 and 1956”
Since then I have read the excellent book British Military Land Rovers by James Taylor and Geoff Fletcher which has detailed inventories and chassis numbers from primary sources and therefore I consider the most trustworthy information so far.
From their information I am going to consider the 1955/56 dates as the most reliable and reasonable dates because they reference detailed contract documentation in December 1955 for delivery in 1956.
I am not going to repeat all of their information, as that would be wrong. If you want that information you should purchase a copy of the book. What I am doing is to re-write some of this section and comment on the on-line sources but in general I will accept the information from James and Geoff as they provide details from contracts and with chassis numbers.
There is also some new information on the designation type details from their book as you can read below.
LR-Mad says. The MoD began to use Land-Rovers as military ambulances from 1954, when a small number of vehicles were ordered by the RAF for airfield crash rescue use. These were produced on the 107 inch chassis, designated FV18005, Truck 1/4 ton, Ambulance, Special. They were designed to carry either two stretcher patients or up to eight seated casualties.
This source goes on to say that "the vehicles were so successful that they were soon in service with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm.
Note that Taylor and Fletcher do not reference any 107 ambulances being made for the RNAS (Royal Navy Air Station), but they do give an explanation that many navy records are missing and therefore their details come from the Land Rover sales information only
The army got its own fleet of vehicles designation type FV18008, Ambulance, 2-Stretcher, 107 inch.
The rear body of these vehicles were slightly modified, the height was reduced and the vehicle became shorter than the FV18005" Pat Ware in "Haynes - Military Land Rover Enthusiasts Manual"
From land Rover Addict who comments on sales in 1955
Given the late date of the contract in 1955 these could possibly the ones mentioned by Taylor and Fletcher who also note the sale of 11 chassis to Bonallack
From Tamya USA and Pat Ware who think it was 1956 as do Taylor and Fletcher in “British Military Land Rovers”
Tamya say
Pat Ware in "Haynes - Military Land Rover Enthusiasts Manual" agrees with this last date. He states on page 59 that
I also located a picture on a website that is no longer available without subscription (http://jedsite.info/transport-lima/lima-landrover/04_series/fv18005/fv18005-intro.html) which certainly looks like a Series I. In that picture you can see a much higher design than the later Series II.
There is another picture Here
There is a subtle, but possibly important difference in the frame on the outside edges of the windscreen from the pictures from facebook and other published sources with a curved section at the top of the frame which is not present on either of the next 2 pictures shown here.
Geoff Fletcher in private communication informed me that
“RGX 6 was the prototype Crash Ambulance for the RAF and appeared at the 1956 SMMT/FVRDE ‘British Military Vehicles’ exhibition at Chertsey. I have a copy of the catalogue. It seems likely its bodywork - as a prototype - was not identical to the production examples.”
James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse " references the work of Pat Ware, and states on page 54 that there were 20 delivered as FV18005 2 Stretcher vehicles to the RAF mountain rescue teams and an undefined number were delivered as FV18008 4-stretcher types on the Station wagon chassis
Following on from that success it is clear this was the basis for further development as the supply of Ambulances to the RAF by Bonallack & Son's is confirmed with the news of a civilian version in 1957 (see section in Civilian Series Land Rover Ambulances below),
The supply of Ambulances to the RAF by Bonallack & Son's is confirmed with the news of a civilian version (see below), however this note is brief and does not resolve the date query, neither does the text below from Commercial Motor magazine of 5th October 1959 which may relate to a second or a subsequent batch of vehicles as the description of the aluminium panelling is the same as given by Pat Ware, but the dates do not entirely tally with the information provided in the Haynes book
This has now been restored by a dedicated team here are some pictures they have provided. Pictures provided by Mike Tokley and used with permission
A full write-up of this restoration is documented in Land Rover Monthly December 2019 issue. The article shows just how good a job can be done by a dedicated and talented team
Series I Carter System Ambulance Conversion
According to these documents http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?26868-Stretcher-fit-for-Landrovers the concept was not dropped with the Series I as the documents date from 1966 (early style Series IIA and 197 (later style Series IIA)
Series II Non Modified Ambulances
These are described in an EMLRA newsletter in an article Mark Cook's article "Ambulances in Military Service".
In the Shire book mentioned above it states that Wadham Stringer (much better known for their Range Rover conversions described below) converted a number of 109's in 1958 for the Royal Navy. Given a date of 1958 it is possible that these were Series I's or Series II's
Series II 109 Lomas Army Ambulances
Pat Ware's Ian Alle - Military Land Rover book contains a picture on page 113 of a Lomas Series II (early style with headlights near the grill) in Military colours.
There is a picture of one here http://www.rtrehearn.plus.com/lrover1967series2a.jpg
Taylor and Fletcher in British Military ambulances give some details of the Lomas IIA ambulances developed for the RNAS airfields where they would have been bright yellow
Pat Ware's - Military Land Rover book contains a picture on page 113 of a Lomas Series II (early style with headlights near the grill) in the more usual green Military colour.
There is a picture of one here on the website of one of the Lomas family descendants which gives the year of that vehicle as 1967
I also spotted THIS on-line. Given it is for the Navy it is another Series IIA from Lomas being black and white it is not possible to be sure of the original colour, but it does look lighter shade and could therefore have been in the yellow colours
There is more information on Lomas Series II ambulances in the civilian section below
Series II/ IIa / III / 109 Mickleover / Marshalls Ambulances
According to one on-line reference, and also Pat Ware on page 60 of the Haynes Land Rover Military Manual
Series II Ambulances used in Northern Ireland during the conflict were protected with a VPK (Vehicle Protection Kit). There is a description of the need and the solution in the EMLRA VPK Ambulance article
The term Makrolon is often used to describe these VPK Kits. Makrolon is actually the transparent polycarbonate used for the windows and the rest of the kit is many, many layers of fibreglass panels. Makrolon is still available as a material http://www.makrolon.de/bms/db-rsc/makroloncmsr6.nsf/id/home_en
101 Forward Control / One Tonne Ambulances
Royal Navy Range Rover Ambulances
Bob Morrison in Land Rover Monthly, In an article entitled “Singing the Blues: almost 50 years of military Land Rover with Flashing lights and sirens”. This article is reprinted on page 130 of “Combat Land Rovers Portfolio no. 1” makes a statement that there were a small number of Navy Range Rover Ambulances, but gives no more details
Early Coil Spring Ambulances
Bob Morrison in Land Rover Monthly, In an article entitled “Singin' the Blues: almost 50 years of military Land Rover with flashing lights and sirens”. This article is reprinted on page 130 of “Combat Land Rovers Portfolio no. 1” makes a statement about a small batch of Coiled sprung Fleet Air Arm Ambulances. He states: -
“If my memory serves me well, the first batch of coil sprung Land Rover ambulances entered service in 1986 as crash rescue ambulances on fleet air arm stations. I seem to remember that this initial batch had a bench seat, possibly with stretcher rails down the left side of the rear compartment and a gurney could be wheeled into the right side. Unfortunately, I cannot find any photos of the interior of these vehicles and would appreciate confirmation from readers on this point”
127 Ambulances Back to top
Based on the 127" chassis (From 1983 Land Rover introduced a third wheelbase to its utility line-up, a 127-inch (3,226 mm) twin-axle vehicle designed to accommodate larger, heavier loads than the One Ten. 127s original 127's started life as One Ten chassis. These were then cut in two and the 17 inches extra length welded on before the two original halves were reunited the modification being carried out by in-house by Land Rover Special Vehicles. I know from my own work this extra length has been supported by strengthening. Whether this is on all 127's or not I still need to determine.
127 Ambulances History
The original 127 Ambulances were based on a chassis created by land Rover Special Vehicles. It's been described as a "true cut and shut" as the basis was a 110 chassis that was cut and an extra 17" added in.
From personal experience working on Katy I agree with this, as you can see sets of welds where the chassis has been strengthened. You can see this heritage in other aspects of the vehicles because the exhaust has a similar extra 17" section that joins otherwise standard components. The design intention from the prior stretcher carrying Series ambulances was very different as these were vehicles that carried treatment equipment as well as patients
127's are often referred to as 130's which may have been somewhat as a marketing description because the original design intent. Originally envisaged as a 135 wheelbase the wheelbase of 127 inches came from the project that developed project Perentie (see below) which was a project to deliver vehicles for the Australian Army. It was sized because of the longest standard two piece Hardy Spicer type rear prop shaft available (a longer one would have been a lot more expensive). As a side note the Australian Army never bought the 127 variant
In Land Rover Military Portfolio (articles reprinted from LRO Magazine) Bob Morrison says that the 127's which had been in mothballed depots waiting for another war were taken out to the former Yugoslavia to replace the worn out 101's after media reporting and campaigning by Paddy Ashdown MP. According to the article 24 Airmobile Field Ambulance were followed in Croatia by 4 Armoured Field Brigade. It is also noteworthy that both Locomotors and Marshalls ambulances are present in the pictures
127 Marshalls Ambulances Back to top
The years of chassis manufacture were 1986 and 1987 (I have found some pictures of them with C registration in the UK which would be 1 August 1985 – 31 July 1986, and many with E reg 1 August 1987 – 31 July 1988) as far as I can tell all with a KG Military registration. The Civilian registration numbers relate to whatever documents are provided by the Military and can be a little off the actual manufacture date
Marshalls took a rolling chassis known as an SVO Mule (SVO being Special Vehicles Organisation - a Land Rover division) and built the Ambulance body on that. The distinctive curved roof that you see on Katy is a carry over from the Marshalls 109 ambulances. There were 2 prototypes and 48 production of these vehicles made according to information gathered by Geoff Fletcher which will be published in a second volume of his and James Taylor's British Military Lan Rovers
They were powered by the V8 Petrol engine with a "military spec" transfer box (1:1.67 ratio) which provides a lot of low speed capability
Locomotors Ambulances were built in 1989-90 and have a KJ or KK registration according to one response I had to a question, however I have found pictures which have UK registration numbers G-K which indicate anything from 1989 - 1993. There may be some variability in these dates as described above.
I suspect many were made in the 1990-1 period given this comment in Commercial Motors Magazine 7th January 1993, Page 9 which states "The firm has had only one profitable period, in 1990-1991" this was since a management buyout in 1987. Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994 states that there were 2 purchases of this design. There were 124 of these vehicles made in 1988 and 1990 according to information gathered by Geoff Fletcher which will be published in a second volume of his and James Taylor's British Military Land Rovers
Whereas Marshalls Ambulances were based on a chassis up build. I've been told by an owner that the Locomotors ones were based on a 127 pick-up and that if you drill into the corners the original curved corner windows are still in place and you break them. These were also V8 Petrol engine powered. I haven't found out how many of these were made so if anyone knows please let me know
James Taylor in Land Rover Defender, 90 and 110 Range states that the vehicles supplied in 1989 were built by MMbi to a design by Locomotors
James Taylor and Bob Morrison in Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994 states that there were two batches of these ambulances purchased before Locomotors ended as a company.
There were 124 of these vehicles made in 1988 and 1990 according to information gathered by Geoff Fletcher which was published in a second volume of his and James Taylor's British Military Land Rovers - get the book if you want to look your vehicles details up!
A Locomotors ambulance (camper conversion) is the one on the left in this picture with a Pulse to the right which is described below
A Locomotors Ambulance 10-KJ-65 is reported by Bob Morrison in Land Rover Monthly Feb 2014 as being the only 127 Ambulance that was deployed to the gulf as part of the Commando Helicopter Operations Support Cell.
To help other owners here are some lists that I have come across in my reading
Locomotors 127's I have seen in print are
10-KJ-62 Green outside the medical Centre RAF Waddingham
Bob Morrison in Land Rover Monthly, In an article entitled “Sentry Duty”.
This article is reprinted on page 5 of “Combat Land Rovers Portfolio no. 1”
Also in Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994
10-KJ-81 Green, Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994
10-KK-27 Green, Land Rover Monthly Feb 2014
Also in Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994
UNPF 1250 White, UN Markings, Land Rover Military Portfolio
Other sightings
10-KJ-52 has been used on TV done out to look a bit like a pulse pictures on FLICKR
10-KJ-77 is on FLICKR
Bob Morrison in Land Rover Monthly, In an article entitled “Singing the Blues: almost 50 years of military Land Rover with Flashing lights and sirens”. This article is reprinted on page 130 of “Combat Land Rovers Portfolio no. 1” states that 10-KJ-65 saw active service in support of commando helicopter operations in the Gulf War, Kurdistan and Croatia
Some more pictures of a well maintained Locomotors Ambulance on display at the Kelmarsh land Rover show in 2017
The current version is based on the military-spec Defender XD130 (XD is Extra Duties and in this form is also known as "Pulse" or, less accurately, "Wolf"). Wolf is the name of the military spec Land Rover The Pulse is mechanically identical to the Wolf except for the 130's upgraded suspension, the most notable difference is its stretched body.
It is 8 inches wider than the previous 127's and this gives the back a bit more space. In an LRM article in about 1999 (reprinted in "Combat Land Rovers Portfolio No 1) he comments that "whilst designed to carry 6 seated up to 9 can be carried in reasonable comfort"
The Defender XD 130, like the Wolf is powered by a variant of the 300 TDi engine specially developed to meet MoD specifications engine, and like all Defenders of the age has permanent four-wheel drive and five forward gears. It is based on the Wolfs' Range Rover derived chassis not the civilian Defender chassis.
800 of these were ordered by the MOD in 1996. There was quite an interesting debate in parliament when this was announced along with the purchase of 8000 Wolf land Rovers.
Lady Olga Maitland made the statement
The Dutch Marines were the first armed forces to take delivery of the vehicle closely followed by the MOD. The Pulse serves along with the 8000 Wolf's of the British MOD, the obvious inter-changeability of mechanical parts between very similar vehicles is an advantage to mechanics in the field.
It was also reported in Land Rover Monthly by Bob Morrison. In an article entitled “Singing the Blues: almost 50 years of military Land Rover with Flashing lights and sirens”. This article is reprinted on page 130 of “Combat Land Rovers Portfolio no. 1”
The award of the contract was also reported in January 1996 Commercial Vehicle Magazine along with a picture of a very muddy prototype vehicle
It was also reported in the Dunsfold Land Rover Trust Newsletter for February 1996:
Non UK Forces Military Ambulances
http://www.remlr.com/2afaa.php
These look extremely like the Carter system ambulances described above, but there is no specific mention of that on the REMLR site so I don't know whether .they are the same or not as yet.
Australian Series II (and onwards) Land Rover Ambulances (Bloodboxes)
These are quite an interesting conversion as they have a very high roof in comparison to the UK conversions so in many ways more of a logical derivative from the original Series I design than than low roof Series II Mickelover / Marshalls design. They also have what looks like a safari roof construction which is no doubt a feature designed to assist with the temperatures they were operating in.
The site lists details of Series II, IIa and III ambulances in the Australian Services. Some key pages within the site that have ambulance related information are
http://www.remlr.com/2Abloodbox.html
http://www.remlr.com/S3109ambulance.html
The Ambulances were used on active duty in Vietnam as recorded in Bob Bald's personal account
The site above makes reference to John Bamfords excellent pages on field testing these vehicles. John has some fascinating pictures of them in interesting places from his work in practically testing them in the Australian jungle and desert
From their records it looks that a couple were sold to the New Zealand Forces
Perentie
Perentie's are named after a yellow / brown lizard that thrives in the arid desert areas of Australia lizard known for it's camouflage and it's ability to survive in harshest conditions.
Perentie Ambulances are 6x6 vehicles built by Jaguar Rover Australia (JRA) for the Australian forces. There were multiple variants of Perentie's, some were built as ambulances suitable for a medical attendant plus either 4 stretchers, 8 seated or 2 stretchers and 4 seated patients.
The Perentie ambulance bodies are fibreglass; they have air conditioning provided from an engine mounded compressor. The cab and the ambulance module are connected via a flexible tunnel but have a full isolation system. A compartment above the cab can be used to store equipment and personal items for the crew the cab itself is built on a steel space frame.
All Perentie's have disc brakes all around, PAS and an They are fitted with an Isuzu 3.8L 4BD1 diesel engine on a 140" wheelbase. The rear axle's diff is offset to the left to allow any axle full wheel travel.
They were based on the Defender 110 and entered service with the Australian Army in 1986. There are a number of differences to a standard Land Rover, the cab is 8 inches wider and 4 inches more back to the bulkhead allowing space for 3 crew in the cab as well as 4 stretchers and an attendant in the back
A Perentie 6x6 weighed in at a significant 4.65 tonnes, but by the time the ambulance had been fitted out and fully staffed it came in at a massive 5.6 tonnes, I am presuming as they had a GRP body they were not intended for front line combat use, but I would love to hear from anyone who has knowledge of that directly
There are pictures of them on the excellent REMLR site http://www.remlr.com/perentie_identification.html#6x6ambo and at http://www.remlr.com/nonremlr/withnall/ambulance.html
There is an excellent article from the Paulatim magazine (The Journal of the Royal Australian Medical Corps) which describes their introduction to service and gives a really good overview of their fit out http://www.remlr.com/photos/PerentieProj/LR%20HD6x6%20Paulatim.pdf
According to this site http://funrover.com/history/the-best-land-rover-ever-made/ there were 94 Ambulances. Another good summary of them is here http://www.lr-mad.co.uk/en/perentie
The civilian history started as early as the military history as the Series 1 was used as an ambulance. Some manufactures created vehicles for both markets as mentioned above. Some have been used by non UK forces, but to the best of my knowledge at this time the ones described below were not made specifically for the military market where as the ones above were (but may have been used in civilian mode once decommissioned)
I don't know who made this or even whether it was a conversion or just a stocked up standard Land Rover
This format is now available as an Oxford Die Cast Model Ambulance in the Gwynedd Health Authority colours of the late 1950's. As their website says
"The Mountainous coastal region meant that more conventional ambulances were of no use.".
Pilcher-Green Series 1 Dispensary
Pilcher (later Pilcher-Green) of Wimbledon did ambulance conversions of Series land rovers
From the BBC
A Lomas IIA was featured on a postcard issued in 1996. This series of Collectors Cards (trading cards) was issued in the UK by ‘Golden Era’ and features high quality illustrations plus full descriptions (on each card reverse) of the classic Land-Rover Series 2/2A produced between 1958 and 1971. On the reverse of the Ambulance card it is stated that they were in production from 1961 to 1971
Details are shown below of all the vehicles/models covered in the set:
Land-Rover 88-inch
Land-Rover 2A Forward Control
Land-Rover 88-inch Station Wagon
Land-Rover Ambulance (H.Lomas)
Land-Rover Military Half-Ton
Land-Rover 109-inch Station Wagon
Land-Rover 88-inch Hard-Top
Lomas continued in Ambulance conversions into recent times (last accounts 31 Dec 1981) and there is a Range Rover conversion on the LR Mad Land Rover Ambulances page (http://www.lr-mad.co.uk/en/ambulance)
Brochures for Lomas Series II ambulances can be found at the following links
Model F/M http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/7026-1.html This brochure clearly shows that they are looking for military contracts as the design is an "Ideal Ambulance for Civil and Air Port use and Military Air Force, All metal construction"
Model J/M http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/7065-1.html it is worth noting that this example shows a tropical roof as an optional extra and refers to the design as being "To the order of Shell Petroleum for service in Columbia". Also from the brochure, "several interior designs are available"
James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse " references that there was a Canvas top model in addition to the body variants described above, and that some were used by the Navy and Marines
Pilcher (Merton) Series II / IIA Ambulance
Pilcher became Pilcher (Merton) Ltd some time during the time of the Series II Land Rovers. Trading from Victoria Road, Burgess Hill Sussex and Kingston Road Wimbledon during this time
They offered a number of models. With headlights in the centre, not the wings these are Series II / IIA ambulances. The model numbers can be seen to come from drawing numbers according to notes on 2 of the brochures referenced in links below.
A Mobile Dispensary, Series 7427/S2 In the pictures you can see that this is a pick-up vehicle with a separate back on it.http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/7039-1.html
Something that looks very much like this is featured on this Kenya stamp from 1980
An Ambulance, Series 7428 with the same separate rear compartment, but with a single large window instead of the two in the dispensary model is offered as a "cheaper class" vehicle compared to the standard Ambulance http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/7007-1.html
Two Stretcher Ambulance That site also has a brochure for an ambulance with a fully integrated body which is shown in the pre headlight repositioned Series IIA in these brochures. As staged by James Taylor this Coach built ambulance had "stylish pressing" in the body sides. http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/7008-1.html
I found something very much like this, but with a different side window configuration at a local show. With a split front screen it is a Series 2A
The information place states it was made by Pilchers of Burgess Hill.
The Deluxe Model Series 7489/S3 was also available. As noted above James Taylor comments that the Coach built ambulance had "stylish pressing", but in this brochure it shows smooth side panels and was available "in standard or de-luxe form with a choice of interior equipment and a full range of optional extras." (maybe this is standard). As can be seen in this brochure http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/7069-1.html it came with a choice of a 4 or a 6 cylinder engine
Bonallack & Sons Ltd Series III Ambulance
James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse" has a picture of Series III Ambulances that are stated to be built by Bonallack
Pilcher-Greene Series III Ambulance
This brochure for a Series III ambulance conversion from Pilcher-Greene can be identified as such by the curved grill shape in brochures as can be see at http://www.flickr.com/photos/47362452@N02/4749239357/ where it was offered in 2 body types. Type J in fiberglass and Type P in Aluminum with fibreglass panelling.
This stamp from Lebanon in 1969 looks like a Pilchers Ambulance to me, but I am not certain and would appreciate any feedback
Another brochure http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6088-1.html shows a Type A (separate cab) and Type E (integrated body) variants whereas this mobile dispensary brochure http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6089-2.html offers Type U (separate cab) and Type W (integrated body) variants
Wadham Stringer Series III Ambulance
Wadham Stringer of Waterlooville, Hants produced a Series III ambulance during the times that Land Rover were owned by British Leyland as can be seen in this brochure http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6034-1.html
According to the brochure the design was based on a Series III 109 chassis, with an option of the 4 or 6 cylinder Petrol or 4 cylinder diesel engine.
It had a coach built body on a 109 chassis with either a double rear door. Body in steel sheet and the roof in moulded Glassfibre. Three Layout options giving space for 2, 3 or 4 stretchers depending on the option chosen. 2 stretchers would be 2 Reasac stretcher trolleys 4 would be simple fold down tube and canvas stretchers, 3 would be 1 trolley and 2 fold down. There was an option for up to 8 seats in the back instead of stretchers.
There is one of these vehicles at the Brooklands Museum with the following details "Built with Serial No. 94200111A. First registered 21-Sep-1972 and delivered to Hawker Sidely Aviation at Dunford where it was based at the fire station. JOR 787L is in it's final British Aerospace colours
There is is a picture here HERE and HERE
The dimensions are given as Length 15ft 10 In (4.8m) Width 5ft 9in (1.75m) Height 8ft 11in (2.5m) and is stated to have a 2.6L four cylinder petrol engine
There were other options as I have found a set of pictures of a vehicle for sale that had a single rear door
IBIS Engineering Series III Ambulance
From a comment left on the blog by Antonio Pedro Santos (many thanks) I have been made aware of another manufacturer IBIS M3 Engineering of Kendal, Cumbria, UK who manufactured Series III 109 based ambulances which they describe as "Mobile Medical Units"
Pictures can be seen here http://forum.landmania.pt/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19342 The blog is in Portuguese and from the text on the side of the vehicles they are certainly Iberian being for the SNA (Portuguese National Ambulance Service), on the Series 2 forum it records 7 of these vehicles being found in Portugal.
In LRM January 2013 it was reported that these were 4 Cylinder petrol engined, based on 915-Series CKD chassis and use Triples Windscreen glass rather than the Covina glass that is usual for the Portugal vehicles. They had Ramsey Winches, Series IIA style heaters in the cab and another in the body. Three were allocated to the Serra da Estrala region, one to Pico Island, one to Beja and the sixth to Vila Real. Antonio also tracked down a seventh based on a 6 cylinder petrol and the 944-series LHD Export type chassis
There is some information about IBIS including aerial photographs of the works on http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw026809 from that you can see that IBIS is from the firm name Isaac Braithwaite and Sons.
The IBIS name was trademarked in relation to the build of industrial washing machines http://www.trademarkia.com/ibis-71266353.html I have no idea if this is the same business or not
There is a nice video by Antonio of one with the engine running http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riWwtGdCydw
Herbert Lomas Stage 1 / One Ten Ambulances
I have tracked down pictures of what is described as: -
I also saw on ebay a Lomas 110 based Ambulance as one was offered for sale and the pictures included a close up of the Lomas name plate
I do not have technical details of these vehicles as yet.
Civilian One Ten and Defender Ambulances Back to top
Land Rover SVO Conversions
Land Rover themselves advertised ambulance conversions as can be seen in THIS undated SVO brochure whether they did the work or farmed it out I am not sure
Pilcher-Greene One Ten Ambulance
As the One Ten was introduced Pilcher Greene continued offering Ambulances.
This brochure introduces an ambulance based on the "New" one ten series 8303 type "S" ambulance.
The above scans are from my copy. There are other versions of this file available at this excellent site http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6102-1.html
That site also has another brochure http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6008-1.html which shows a Type B (separate cab) and Type F (integrated body) variants
This One Ten mobile dispensary brochure http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6009-1.html offers Type V (separate cab) and Type X (integrated body) variants
I have listed them here in the civilian section because as far as I can tell they were not used by the British forces and I think that is what they were aimed at in the UK, but I have found pictures of them on-line in use by the Turkish and Turkmenistan forces
Glenfrome One Ten Ambulance
I have found for sale on ebay a brochure for a Glenfrome 110 Defender based ambulance.
Glenfrome of England were renowned high end coach builders who did a number of conversions based on the Range Rover http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials#TOC-Glenfrome-of-England
MMBi One ten Ambulances
St Johns Ambulance use 110 based Defender ambulances. LR Mad reported that The St. John's ambulance service Defender based vehicles have the coachwork conversion was carried out by Macclesfield Motor Bodies International (MMBi). They also report that
I did get a copy of a full spec sheet which I don't mind sharing as they are no longer around. I have posted it HERE
Their old facebook page says "The only element left of MMB is the dedicated staff who will continue their skills elsewhere for a dedicated business."
Here is one I saw at the Usk show in Wales in 2013
They also offered Search and Rescue ambulances for mountain and other rescue teams. These were much less modified than a full scale ambulance, but were strengthened and prepared for the role with suitable equipment according to their old website.
There are quite a few pictures of these 110 conversions including a batch of at least 12 Hightop conversions bound for Morocco on their old facebook page
French Ambulance - Durisotti
I found pictures of a French Variety here I have located pictures that describe them as "The Durisotti Land Rover Defender 130 Sanitaire." it is stated that these were used by UNIFIL (The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) and I have located pictures of a brochure.
Kindly from Hans de Ridder who owns one of these I can share some pictures of his vehicle. He has informed me that "In the 'bulb' above the cab is just mostly empty space. There is a switchbox with fuses for the 230 V system. The bulb is, in French, called 'capucine'."
From their sales blurb
I have downloaded a copy of the 2014 AVM brochure.pdf and made it available
Other companies advertise the same ...
RMA group offer a conversion through Guava International
details can be found here http://landrover.guavauk.com/aid-development/vehicle-conversions/ambulances/
110 single stretcher ambulance http://marcomhub.rmagroup.net/wp-content/uploads/Land-Rover-Defender-110-Field-Ambulance.pdf
and a 130 two Stretcher Ambulance http://marcomhub.rmagroup.net/wp-content/uploads/Land-Rover-Defender-130-Field-Ambulance.pdf
MAF (Mariani Alfredo & Son)
Formerly MAF Mariani Alfredo & Figlio are a firm of Italian Ambulance manufacturers based in Pistoia (near Florence)
They have made vehicles based on the Range Rover and the Defender and have images of those on their website http://www.mafveicolispeciali.com/storia.html
They currently (2016) have a defender based vehicle on their website
http://www.mafveicolispeciali.com/gallery_new.php?a=land_rover&b=defender&c=
Stanford Coachbuilders
On http://www.stanfordcoachworks.co.uk/vehicles/land-rover-conversions/ offer Land Rover Defender Conversions as Ambulances since 2011
There have been quite a number of Range Rover conversions. Some of these have been done by the same companies as the Land Rover conversions described above. These are very well documented on the Range Rover Classic website and also some good stuff on LR Mad so there is no point in repeating it here. I am therefore including just some of the main links to that site and any related information I have come across
.
Emil Frey
http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials#TOC-Emil-Frey-ambulance---Swiss-conversion
Heinel Specialbilar
http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials#TOC-Heinel-Specialbilar-AB-Malm-Sweden---ambulance-conversion
Herbert Lomas
These have the distinctive curved line up from the windscreen to the roof that shows the heritage comes right from the earlier Series Ambulances described above
http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials#TOC-Herbert-Lomas-Ltd---ambulance-conversion
http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials/herbert-lomas-ltd---uk
Pilcher-Green
Pilcher Green who have featured so much in this article are once again present in offering this Range Rover ambulance in two variants http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6095-1.html
It is noted in Commercial Vehicle Magazine 24th Sept 1976 that they exhibited at Earls Court Motor Show
PILCHER-GREENE Ltd is showing ambulance conversions of both the Range Rover and Land-Rover.
General References that may be of interest
Rather than pinching pictures off the Internet I'm going to look out for these vehicles and get some pictures of them as I see them to add to this summary so it will be text only for now for most of the variants described, and I'll link to pictures unless given permission to use them or I believe they are free to use (marketing images, or available under licence).
Direct links to Sections below(click titles to return here)
Land Rover History
A useful reminder for the information below is the dates of manufacture of the base Land Rover Vehicles
Series
1
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1948–1958
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Series
2
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1958–1961
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Series
2A
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1961–1971
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Series
3
|
1971–1985
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90/110/127/Defender
|
1983-2015
|
Discovery
Series I
|
1989–1998
|
Discovery
Series II
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1998–2004
|
Discovery
3
|
2004–2009
|
Discovery
4
|
2009–2016
|
Discovery
5
|
2016–Present
|
Range
Rover First generation
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1970–1996
|
Range
Rover Second generation
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1994–2002
|
Range
Rover Third generation
|
2002 -
2012
|
Range
Rover Fourth generation
|
2012 -
Present
|
They are basically 2 main categories, Military and Civilian. Some were built for both markets with minor changes and many ex-military ambulances have then done service as civilian ambulances, and It's likely that design feedback and ideas fed back into all special projects under the Land Rover Special Vehicles group
There is a numbering system for British forces vehicles from which I have extracted the following list of Land Rover Ambulances I have added the series where I am reasonably confident I've tracked it down if anyone reading knows better please let me know
FV18005
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Truck, ¼ ton, 4x4, ambulance, special, Rover 4
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Series 1
|
FV18008
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Truck, ¼ ton, 4x4, ambulance, 4 stretcher, Rover 4
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Series 1
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FV18043
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Truck, ¾ ton, 4x4, ambulance, 2 stretcher, mountain rescue, Rover 7
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Series 2
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FV18044
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Truck, ¾ ton, 4x4, ambulance, 2 stretcher, Rover 7
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Series 2
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FV18054
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Truck, ¾ ton, 4x4, ambulance, 2/4 stretcher, Rover 7
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Series 2
|
FV18055
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Truck, ¾ ton, 4x4, ambulance, 2/4 stretcher, Mountain Rescue Rover 7
| Series 2 |
FV18065
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Truck, ¾ ton, 4x4, ambulance, 2 stretcher, Rover 9 & 11
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Series 2a / 3
|
FV18066
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Truck, ¾ ton, 4x4, ambulance, 2 stretcher, Rover 9 & 11
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Series 2a / 3
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FV18067
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Truck, ¾ ton, 4x4, ambulance, 2/4 stretcher, Rover 9 & 11
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Series 2a / 3
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FV18068
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Truck, ¾ ton, 4x4, ambulance, 2/4 stretcher, Rover 9 & 11
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Series 2a / 3
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FV18073
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Truck, ¾ ton, 4x4, ambulance, 2/4 stretcher, Rover 11
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Series 3
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FV18074
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Truck, ¾ ton, 4x4, ambulance, 2/4 stretcher, Rover 11
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Series 3
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FV19009
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101 Ambulance RHD
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Forward Control
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FV19010
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101 Ambulance LHD
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Forward Control
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It will help to understand this if I add this table which is a simple versions of what I understand the military descriptions to be (much of this comes from another excellent EMLRA Article) which gives the complete complexities
Rover 1
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Series I 1/4-ton 4x4 utility vehicles with 80" wheelbase , 1595cc 1948- 1951.
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Rover 2
|
Series I 80-inch wheelbase version, 1997cc 1951-1953
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Rover 3
|
Series I 86-inch wheelbase version, 1997cc 1953-1956
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Rover 4
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Series I 107/109-inch wheelbase version, 1997cc 1956-1958
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Rover 5
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Series I 88-inch wheelbase version, 1997cc 1956-1958
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Rover 6
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Series II 88-inch wheelbase Truck, 1997cc and 2286c, 1958- 1961
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Rover 7
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Series II 109-inch wheelbase Truck, 1958-1961
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Rover 8
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Series IIa 88-inch wheelbase Truck ¼ton 4x4, 1961 - 1967
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Rover 9
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Series IIa 109-inch wheelbase Truck ¾ton 4x4, 1961 - 1966
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Rover 10
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Series IIa 88-inch wheelbase Truck ¼ton, 4x4, 1967 - 1971
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Rover 11
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Series IIa 109-inch wheelbase Truck ¾ton, 1967 - 1971
|
UK Forces Military Ambulances Back to top
An update to the general introduction above is needed here. My one exception to the comments about books not quoting primary historical sources and giving detailed references is the book British Military land rovers by James Taylor and Geoff Fletcher.
If this is a topic that interest you then I recommend that book as an excellent and detailed one to start with. I will not be detailing all the information they present as that would be beyond “fair use”
In my opinion these are the first vehicles that can be properly considered as purpose made ambulances.
The original introduction to this section stated “I've found a lot of information so far, Series 1 were certainly used, but some of the on-line and in print information conflicts as to the start of ambulances, anywhere between 1954 and 1956”
Since then I have read the excellent book British Military Land Rovers by James Taylor and Geoff Fletcher which has detailed inventories and chassis numbers from primary sources and therefore I consider the most trustworthy information so far.
From their information I am going to consider the 1955/56 dates as the most reliable and reasonable dates because they reference detailed contract documentation in December 1955 for delivery in 1956.
I am not going to repeat all of their information, as that would be wrong. If you want that information you should purchase a copy of the book. What I am doing is to re-write some of this section and comment on the on-line sources but in general I will accept the information from James and Geoff as they provide details from contracts and with chassis numbers.
There is also some new information on the designation type details from their book as you can read below.
from LR-Mad and Chris batten who think it was 1954 which now seems unlikely unless they are referencing some prototype vehicles
This source goes on to say that "the vehicles were so successful that they were soon in service with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm.
Note that Taylor and Fletcher do not reference any 107 ambulances being made for the RNAS (Royal Navy Air Station), but they do give an explanation that many navy records are missing and therefore their details come from the Land Rover sales information only
The army got its own fleet of vehicles designation type FV18008, Ambulance, 2-Stretcher, 107 inch.
The rear body of these vehicles were slightly modified, the height was reduced and the vehicle became shorter than the FV18005" Pat Ware in "Haynes - Military Land Rover Enthusiasts Manual"
Bob Morrison states it was “probably 1954 in Land Rover Monthly, In an article entitled “Singing the Blues: almost 50 years of military Land Rover with Flashing lights and sirens”. This article is reprinted on page 130 of “Combat Land Rovers Portfolio no. 1” he makes the same statement about the navy vehicles being longer and higher than the Army equivalent
Chris Batten says in the Shire Album 328 (Ambulances) that the first ambulances were in 1954 on 107" chassis (which is what that picture looks like). he does rightly comment that it had higher headroom in the rear compartment (one possible reason for the reduction in height in the later Series II's is given below). He states these first vehicles were built in late 1954.
I now think that some of this information above is possibly mixing up some of the earlier batches of crash rescue vehicles which were supplied in 1954 with the actual ambulance conversions that came later.
Taylor and Fletcher in “British Military Land Rovers” relate the 2 variant numbers to 2 stretcher (FV18005) and 4 stretcher (FV18008) respectively, however there is yet another explanation given below.
Chris Batten says in the Shire Album 328 (Ambulances) that the first ambulances were in 1954 on 107" chassis (which is what that picture looks like). he does rightly comment that it had higher headroom in the rear compartment (one possible reason for the reduction in height in the later Series II's is given below). He states these first vehicles were built in late 1954.
I now think that some of this information above is possibly mixing up some of the earlier batches of crash rescue vehicles which were supplied in 1954 with the actual ambulance conversions that came later.
Taylor and Fletcher in “British Military Land Rovers” relate the 2 variant numbers to 2 stretcher (FV18005) and 4 stretcher (FV18008) respectively, however there is yet another explanation given below.
Sales to the military were very significant this year 1955 with some fifteen separate contracts for 4800 vehicles in total. The orders were not only for 86 inch models as there were experiments with the 107 inch chassis with a coach built ambulance body on the rear. This was successful and gained a separate type letter FV18005 and an order for a small number (eleven) which were built for RAF Mountain rescue purposes
Given the late date of the contract in 1955 these could possibly the ones mentioned by Taylor and Fletcher who also note the sale of 11 chassis to Bonallack
From Tamya USA and Pat Ware who think it was 1956 as do Taylor and Fletcher in “British Military Land Rovers”
Use of the Land Rover with special ambulance bodywork goes back to 1956 when a batch of the production version, on the 107 inch chassis, was built for the RAF. Designated truck 1/4 ton, 4 x 4 Ambulance Special the requirement was for a suitably compact vehicle for the Mountain Rescue teams of the RAF.
This Rover ambulance had the standard commercial four cylinder 2 litre petrol engine of 52 bhp. The bodywork was framed and panelled in aluminium and lightweight thermal insulation. The driver and a medical officer sat in the cab, the inside fitted for two stretchers with a seat for a medical orderly.
The stretcher racks folded back to accommodate three seated casualties. These original ambulances were bodied and completed by Bonallack & Sons Ltd. The overall length was 15ft. 4 ins.
Pat Ware in "Haynes - Military Land Rover Enthusiasts Manual" agrees with this last date. He states on page 59 that
The first 11 were delivered to Mountain rescue in 1956 with another 14 delivered a year later. He says that these initial vehicles were constructed by Bonallack & Sons Ltd so very much the story above, but Taylor and Fletcher do comment that the contracts and chassis numbers do not match well. I will leave that detail to expertsThere is a picture of this ambulance in Mountain rescue form on page 59 of the book
He also says of army FV18008 vehicles
“The rear body of these vehicles were slightly modified, the height was reduced and the vehicle became shorter than the FV18005”
I also located a picture on a website that is no longer available without subscription (http://jedsite.info/transport-lima/lima-landrover/04_series/fv18005/fv18005-intro.html) which certainly looks like a Series I. In that picture you can see a much higher design than the later Series II.
There is another picture Here
There is a subtle, but possibly important difference in the frame on the outside edges of the windscreen from the pictures from facebook and other published sources with a curved section at the top of the frame which is not present on either of the next 2 pictures shown here.
Geoff Fletcher in private communication informed me that
“RGX 6 was the prototype Crash Ambulance for the RAF and appeared at the 1956 SMMT/FVRDE ‘British Military Vehicles’ exhibition at Chertsey. I have a copy of the catalogue. It seems likely its bodywork - as a prototype - was not identical to the production examples.”
James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse " references the work of Pat Ware, and states on page 54 that there were 20 delivered as FV18005 2 Stretcher vehicles to the RAF mountain rescue teams and an undefined number were delivered as FV18008 4-stretcher types on the Station wagon chassis
Following on from that success it is clear this was the basis for further development as the supply of Ambulances to the RAF by Bonallack & Son's is confirmed with the news of a civilian version in 1957 (see section in Civilian Series Land Rover Ambulances below),
The supply of Ambulances to the RAF by Bonallack & Son's is confirmed with the news of a civilian version (see below), however this note is brief and does not resolve the date query, neither does the text below from Commercial Motor magazine of 5th October 1959 which may relate to a second or a subsequent batch of vehicles as the description of the aluminium panelling is the same as given by Pat Ware, but the dates do not entirely tally with the information provided in the Haynes book
New uses are continually being found for the Land-Rover chassis, and a particularly interesting one is the adaptation of a 107-in,-wheelbase chassis for ambulance work. This ambulance has an aluminium-panelled composite body built by Bonallack and Sons, Ltd., and provides accommodation for two stretcher cases and attendant, or three sitting cases, one stretcher case and attendant.
It was developed for use by the R.A.F. for mountain rescue purposes.Most of the vehicles designed specifically for the Army for use in combat roles have normal control. This reflects the attention paid to maximum cab space and engine accessibility.The body of one has been identified recently in a sad state
This has now been restored by a dedicated team here are some pictures they have provided. Pictures provided by Mike Tokley and used with permission
A full write-up of this restoration is documented in Land Rover Monthly December 2019 issue. The article shows just how good a job can be done by a dedicated and talented team
In 1956 or 57 depending on sources a “temporary conversion of a standard 86” Land Rover was developed by the Fighting Vehicles Research & Development Executive (FVRDE) this is called the Carter Stretcher Gear. This was a canvas tilt with an extension over the back tailgate. The system could be "unit fitted" in about 16 hours and then the vehicle could have carried 2 crew and 2 patients in a “very low order of comfort”.
James Taylor and Geoff Fletcher in “British Military land Rovers” state that the trials were not completed until 1958 and from the reasons above the system was not taken forwards at this point, but at some time it must have been taken on, as there are pictures and documents of it in use
According to these documents http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?26868-Stretcher-fit-for-Landrovers the concept was not dropped with the Series I as the documents date from 1966 (early style Series IIA and 1957 (later style Series IIA)
In the thread it states
“In 1966 there was a kit LV6/MT13/78094 for fitting Carter type stretcher frames to Rovers Mk 3, 5, 6 & 8.
There was a kit LV6MT13-6530-99-804-4921 issued in 1971 for fitting to Rover 8 & 9.
Looking through the AESPs for 110s, there was a mod in 1988 to convert some to mountain rescue role as an interim to the procurement of a specialist vehicle. It then refers back to fitting the kit issued in 1983 to Series III Rovers. The stretcher installation kit 7RU-2510-99-763-6380 could be fitted in 4 man hours
There were earlier mods for fitting Carters issued in 1965, 1964 & 1957”
There are some excellent pictures of this ambulance system in the book Military Land Rover by Pat Ware including one on page 58 of what looks like a UK land rover and in-use in Oman on page 114 and it was also used on Australian and Dutch vehicles as shown below in the Non UK Forces section below
Series II Non Modified Ambulances
These are described in an EMLRA newsletter in an article Mark Cook's article "Ambulances in Military Service".
A normal large bodied Rover 11 would have not been suitable for use by the RAF Mountain Rescue Teams for casualty evacuation due to the ground conditions encountered. Therefore a much more basic ambulance was selected in the shape of the FV18043 Rover 11 Ambulance Hardtop stretcher carrier. These were in fact just standard three door S2A 109" window hard tops introduced in about 1965. About 10 were used, and later in the mid 1970's S3 versions were also used in the same role.The list above relates that FV code to a Rover 7 not a Rover 11, but the date would indicate a Rover 11 (Series IIA being more appropriate). The RAF MRT used to have the bonnets and roof painted yellow
Series II 109 Wadham Stringer Ambulances
In the Shire book mentioned above it states that Wadham Stringer (much better known for their Range Rover conversions described below) converted a number of 109's in 1958 for the Royal Navy. Given a date of 1958 it is possible that these were Series I's or Series II's
Pat Ware's Ian Alle - Military Land Rover book contains a picture on page 113 of a Lomas Series II (early style with headlights near the grill) in Military colours.
There is a picture of one here http://www.rtrehearn.plus.com/lrover1967series2a.jpg
Series IIA Lomas Navy Ambulance
Taylor and Fletcher in British Military ambulances give some details of the Lomas IIA ambulances developed for the RNAS airfields where they would have been bright yellow
Pat Ware's - Military Land Rover book contains a picture on page 113 of a Lomas Series II (early style with headlights near the grill) in the more usual green Military colour.
There is a picture of one here on the website of one of the Lomas family descendants which gives the year of that vehicle as 1967
There is more information on Lomas Series II ambulances in the civilian section below
Series II/ IIa / III / 109 Mickleover / Marshalls Ambulances
These are the classic older model that are actually quite common. It is identified by the low roof and the angled cut-off below the rear doors. There is space for 2 stretchers (just) inside and apparently up to 4 dead on the top, and a medic could ride in the back.
A good write up is by Tony Pay and Mike Allmey and was written up in the EMLRA newsletter.A copy is available on-line HERE, and I have taken just a few of the salient points into this write up.
According to most sources, the original design was by the Mickleover Transport Company who made some initial batch(es) and then the design was passed to Marshall Engineering of Cambridge (I have not read a reason for that anywhere), however the EMLRA article states that “the original body design by the Mickleover Transport Company was passed to Marshall Engineering for completion and production”.
Other online sources state that Mickleover Transport manufactured vehicles to this design before Marshalls took over, and because of that there are some variations.
It was a very flexible design with extra stretchers being able to be carried on the roof or across underneath the front of the body, and with space for up to 6 seated casualties and three crew (although very cramped at this level of loading).
According to the EMLRA in that article and other comments there were about 1000 made, split evenly between the UK and Dutch forces, but other sources give much larger numbers across the different Land Rover Series used as a base, so I think that is an underestimate
According to the EMLRA in that article and other comments there were about 1000 made, split evenly between the UK and Dutch forces.
Other online sources state that Mickleover Transport manufactured vehicles to this design before Marshalls took over, and because of that there are some variations.
It was a very flexible design with extra stretchers being able to be carried on the roof or across underneath the front of the body, and with space for up to 6 seated casualties and three crew (although very cramped at this level of loading).
According to the EMLRA in that article and other comments there were about 1000 made, split evenly between the UK and Dutch forces, but other sources give much larger numbers across the different Land Rover Series used as a base, so I think that is an underestimate
Another excellent source is once again the Taylor and Fletcher book which has details of contracts and chassis numbers. from their work it would be possible to generate a detailed number, but I have not been minded to do so
Another book by Paul Woods (Land Rovers, Ludvigsen Library Series) says that there were over 3000 of this design made and 537 of these were constructed as Series III's for the Dutch army.
James Taylor in LROi June 2015 states that according to a British-Leyland era in-house magazine (Specialist Car) 512 Ambulances of this design based on the Series III alone were delivered as part of a contract worth £55m, with the last being delivered in 1982
Paul Woods book also includes a picture of an ambulance of this design with air conditioning made for Oman, but it's not clear from the picture which Series it is, or whether it is military or not
Another book by Paul Woods (Land Rovers, Ludvigsen Library Series) says that there were over 3000 of this design made and 537 of these were constructed as Series III's for the Dutch army.
James Taylor in LROi June 2015 states that according to a British-Leyland era in-house magazine (Specialist Car) 512 Ambulances of this design based on the Series III alone were delivered as part of a contract worth £55m, with the last being delivered in 1982
Paul Woods book also includes a picture of an ambulance of this design with air conditioning made for Oman, but it's not clear from the picture which Series it is, or whether it is military or not
Pat Ware in his Book "Haynes - Military Land Rover Enthusiasts Manual" states that variously these came first to the Army in 1962 (which is later than Taylor and Fletcher record), were built by Marshalls, Mickelover Transport and also by Park Royal Vehicles. I have not found any other reference to Park Royal Vehicles as yet - note of interest PRV built London Busses and some military prototypes
He comments about their handing, a comment that I have seen elsewhere and having driven one I would quite agree with
He comments about their handing, a comment that I have seen elsewhere and having driven one I would quite agree with
They were double aluminium skinned and insulated which was good, but with a high centre of gravity they could be a handful to drive and for this reason they had anti roll bars fitted (and retrofitted)
The specification for these vehicles called for the height to be lowered from that of the Series I; this was to allow it to be flown inside RAF transport aircraft of the day. Like its predecessor's the vehicle was designed to carry either two stretcher patients or up to eight seated casualties and any medical attendants were shut in the back until the vehicle reached its destination
Once again a variation to the numbers given elsewhere, but feasible if cramped
He also states
He also states
The second batch of vehicles produced from 1964 saw the introduction of 2 high level fold out rails; these were fitted to take a second pair of collapsed stretchers.
According to Tamya USA who’s dates now seem wrong
These saw service with the RAF where they worked off the road in rugged terrain, led the British Army to choose a similar design where there was the need for an improvement over the open stretcher conversion kits then available. The first Army design was known as the Ambulance 2-stretcher, 4 x 4, Rover 7 (FV18044) and was built by Mickleover Transport Co Ltd in 1961-62.
Subsequent models have seen minor change to keep pace with chassis change. An internal change allowed an additional option of four stretchers, two each side, the designation in the late 1960's being Ambulance 2/4 stretcher, 3/4 ton, 4 x 4 Rover 9 (FV18067). Marshall of Cambridge and Mickleover built the bodywork. Clips for extra stretchers are fitted on the roof. The RAF and some civil authorities use virtually the same model. Height; 7ft. 1/2 in, length; 15ft. 10in, width: 6ft 3in, wheelbase: 9ft. 1in, weight: 4,256lb (empty), 5,885 lb (laden), engine: 2.5 litre (2,286cc) 77bhp.
The first Army design was known as the Ambulance 2-stretcher, 4 x 4, Rover 7 (FV18044) and was built by Mickleover Transport Co Ltd in 1961-62. This was on the 109 inch wheelbase, with the standard Land Rover 2 1/4 litre engine. Changes for military use included WD tyres and wheels, stronger suspension, bigger engine fan, and lightning to military standards. The Army body was longer and lower than the RAF version (15ft 10in) and had full ventilation and heating.
Here are some pictures of a Series II Marshalls Ambulance once owned by a friend of mine.
The term Makrolon is often used to describe these VPK Kits. Makrolon is actually the transparent polycarbonate used for the windows and the rest of the kit is many, many layers of fibreglass panels. Makrolon is still available as a material http://www.makrolon.de/bms/db-rsc/makroloncmsr6.nsf/id/home_en
 |
| This is a 109 Ambulance with VP Kit in place (photo used with permission from Alpine Rovers |
101 Forward Control / One Tonne Ambulances
These are based on the 101” wheelbase Forward Control which was developed by Land Rover in 1966 as a tractor for field guns with a carrying capacity of one Ton of ammunition (hence the name).
The Term Forward control comes from the fact that the driving controls are forward of the engine.
The Term Forward control comes from the fact that the driving controls are forward of the engine.
Once again there is a discrepancy because in the Batten Shire "Ambulances" book it states that 101 ambulances built by Marshalls entered service in 1976. This is agreed with by James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse" who states that
They do give an full and amusing reason for this discrepancy, in summary:-
The 1981 edition of the MVEE Catalogue of Military Vehicles states that the FV19009 was developed to meet the requirements of GASR 3525/1 for an ambulance variant of the Truck GS 1 tonne. The chassis components are common to the Truck I Tonne Rover with the exception of "up-rated" shock absorbers and a higher output alternator with a split charging system.
James Taylor and Bob Morrison in Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994 have a picture of one in the service of the Luxembourg Army
There was a short production run, Paul Woods (Land Rovers, Ludvigsen Library Series) says that there were 525 of this design made and the EMLRA article states that about 150 were eventually released from service.
Bob Morrison in Land Rover Monthly, In an article entitled “Singing the Blues: almost 50 years of military Land Rover with Flashing lights and sirens”. This article is reprinted on page 130 of “Combat Land Rovers Portfolio no. 1” states that 500 101 chassis were sent to Marshalls for conversion to ambulances and other vehicles and that 101’s were available for use in the Falklands in 1982 but that is from memory with no definitive proof. Taylor and Fletcher in “British Military land Rovers” state that although 519 were originally planned, only 459 were actually converted and went into service 1982 onwards
Bob Morrison also states that they were used in Cyprus in 1993 as part of UN peacekeeping forces, and that they were deployed with 24th Air Mobile Field Ambulance to Croatia “Known as BRITMEDBAT, the unit deployed four self-sufficient detachments each with 4 ambulances. The numbers of ambulances grew during the deployment.
They were used in significant numbers in the First Gulf War (1990 - 91) such as "Mabel" shown below (photo's used with kind permission of the owner)
According to his records
an initial batch of 15 were built by Marshalls of Cambridge in 1976 and a final and much larger batch was bodied by Marshalls in 1978However However Taylor and Fletcher in “British Military land Rovers” and also according to the EMLRA article, all 101-based Ambulances were built during 1981-2 using factory-re-manufactured 1978 vehicles, 101 FC production having ceased in 1978 they were sent down the line spaced out. The 101's were then converted from soft top standard vehicles to ambulances by Marshalls.
They do give an full and amusing reason for this discrepancy, in summary:-
By the time the ambulance design was approved, production had ceased so Marshalls were given a complete batch of already completed vehicles ordered in 1975/6 but built in 1978, which were then re manufactured (including some up to date parts) in 1981... Ambulance owners may be forgiven for developing schizophrenia and trying to date their vehicle.They had a high level of insulation and a space heater so was suited for Arctic use. The larger aluminium framed and panelled body which was produced by Marshalls of Cambridge could carry four stretcher cases or eight sitting patients along with a medical attendant.They have a very high body because they are based on the 101, but they have additional height as can be seen over the cab when compared to a normal 101. The red crosses are on hinged panels so they can be hidden when camouflage is needed.
The 1981 edition of the MVEE Catalogue of Military Vehicles states that the FV19009 was developed to meet the requirements of GASR 3525/1 for an ambulance variant of the Truck GS 1 tonne. The chassis components are common to the Truck I Tonne Rover with the exception of "up-rated" shock absorbers and a higher output alternator with a split charging system.
James Taylor and Bob Morrison in Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994 have a picture of one in the service of the Luxembourg Army
There was a short production run, Paul Woods (Land Rovers, Ludvigsen Library Series) says that there were 525 of this design made and the EMLRA article states that about 150 were eventually released from service.
Bob Morrison in Land Rover Monthly, In an article entitled “Singing the Blues: almost 50 years of military Land Rover with Flashing lights and sirens”. This article is reprinted on page 130 of “Combat Land Rovers Portfolio no. 1” states that 500 101 chassis were sent to Marshalls for conversion to ambulances and other vehicles and that 101’s were available for use in the Falklands in 1982 but that is from memory with no definitive proof. Taylor and Fletcher in “British Military land Rovers” state that although 519 were originally planned, only 459 were actually converted and went into service 1982 onwards
Bob Morrison also states that they were used in Cyprus in 1993 as part of UN peacekeeping forces, and that they were deployed with 24th Air Mobile Field Ambulance to Croatia “Known as BRITMEDBAT, the unit deployed four self-sufficient detachments each with 4 ambulances. The numbers of ambulances grew during the deployment.
According to his records
Mabel was built in 1976 and commissioned in 1981. Mabel is an RAF spec LHD 101 Ambulance (only 22 made) and is in full original Gulf War 1 trim She was deployed to Gutersloh to 230 Squadron (Helicopters) where she was the reserve base ambulance until 1990. As a result she was parked in a hangar most of her early life so has no issues with corrosion at all
In 1991 she was deployed to the Gulf along with three other 101s where she saw active service. On her return from the gulf she was bought by Laurie Wright (ex LRO writer aka Dakar on the LRO forum).She is fitted with 3.5l Rover V8, an eberspacher, on board engine preheat (mains powered) and on board battery charger. She also has on-board compressor (engine driven) and a full set of working respirators.
The dates in his records match with the initial deployment of 101's and the rebuilds as noted in the EMLRA article,
Bob Morrison in (reprinted in Combat Land Rovers Portfolio No 1) says that their last operational use was in Bosnia before they were replaced with 127's like Katy
Some more interesting pictures here http://home.el-image.co.uk/play/landys/specification.htm
The 101 Land Rover Ambulance has appeared on 2 issues of stamps in Mozambique
It is in 2 forms the 33 MT (Mozambecan Metical) stamp (about 44p UK in 2015)
That stamp is part of this set of stamps issued in 2009
It also appeared on this stamp (about £2.35 UK in 2015) I note the date on this is 1956, but I think this must be a mistake as the 101 ambulances were not built until 1976
Bob Morrison in (reprinted in Combat Land Rovers Portfolio No 1) says that their last operational use was in Bosnia before they were replaced with 127's like Katy
Some more interesting pictures here http://home.el-image.co.uk/play/landys/specification.htm
The 101 Land Rover Ambulance has appeared on 2 issues of stamps in Mozambique
It is in 2 forms the 33 MT (Mozambecan Metical) stamp (about 44p UK in 2015)
It also appeared on this stamp (about £2.35 UK in 2015) I note the date on this is 1956, but I think this must be a mistake as the 101 ambulances were not built until 1976
Royal Navy Range Rover Ambulances
Bob Morrison in Land Rover Monthly, In an article entitled “Singing the Blues: almost 50 years of military Land Rover with Flashing lights and sirens”. This article is reprinted on page 130 of “Combat Land Rovers Portfolio no. 1” makes a statement that there were a small number of Navy Range Rover Ambulances, but gives no more details
Early Coil Spring Ambulances
Bob Morrison in Land Rover Monthly, In an article entitled “Singin' the Blues: almost 50 years of military Land Rover with flashing lights and sirens”. This article is reprinted on page 130 of “Combat Land Rovers Portfolio no. 1” makes a statement about a small batch of Coiled sprung Fleet Air Arm Ambulances. He states: -
“If my memory serves me well, the first batch of coil sprung Land Rover ambulances entered service in 1986 as crash rescue ambulances on fleet air arm stations. I seem to remember that this initial batch had a bench seat, possibly with stretcher rails down the left side of the rear compartment and a gurney could be wheeled into the right side. Unfortunately, I cannot find any photos of the interior of these vehicles and would appreciate confirmation from readers on this point”
Based on the 127" chassis (From 1983 Land Rover introduced a third wheelbase to its utility line-up, a 127-inch (3,226 mm) twin-axle vehicle designed to accommodate larger, heavier loads than the One Ten. 127s original 127's started life as One Ten chassis. These were then cut in two and the 17 inches extra length welded on before the two original halves were reunited the modification being carried out by in-house by Land Rover Special Vehicles. I know from my own work this extra length has been supported by strengthening. Whether this is on all 127's or not I still need to determine.
127 Ambulances History
The original 127 Ambulances were based on a chassis created by land Rover Special Vehicles. It's been described as a "true cut and shut" as the basis was a 110 chassis that was cut and an extra 17" added in.
From personal experience working on Katy I agree with this, as you can see sets of welds where the chassis has been strengthened. You can see this heritage in other aspects of the vehicles because the exhaust has a similar extra 17" section that joins otherwise standard components. The design intention from the prior stretcher carrying Series ambulances was very different as these were vehicles that carried treatment equipment as well as patients
127's are often referred to as 130's which may have been somewhat as a marketing description because the original design intent. Originally envisaged as a 135 wheelbase the wheelbase of 127 inches came from the project that developed project Perentie (see below) which was a project to deliver vehicles for the Australian Army. It was sized because of the longest standard two piece Hardy Spicer type rear prop shaft available (a longer one would have been a lot more expensive). As a side note the Australian Army never bought the 127 variant
In Land Rover Military Portfolio (articles reprinted from LRO Magazine) Bob Morrison says that the 127's which had been in mothballed depots waiting for another war were taken out to the former Yugoslavia to replace the worn out 101's after media reporting and campaigning by Paddy Ashdown MP. According to the article 24 Airmobile Field Ambulance were followed in Croatia by 4 Armoured Field Brigade. It is also noteworthy that both Locomotors and Marshalls ambulances are present in the pictures
127 Marshalls Ambulances Back to top
The years of chassis manufacture were 1986 and 1987 (I have found some pictures of them with C registration in the UK which would be 1 August 1985 – 31 July 1986, and many with E reg 1 August 1987 – 31 July 1988) as far as I can tell all with a KG Military registration. The Civilian registration numbers relate to whatever documents are provided by the Military and can be a little off the actual manufacture date
Marshalls took a rolling chassis known as an SVO Mule (SVO being Special Vehicles Organisation - a Land Rover division) and built the Ambulance body on that. The distinctive curved roof that you see on Katy is a carry over from the Marshalls 109 ambulances. There were 2 prototypes and 48 production of these vehicles made according to information gathered by Geoff Fletcher which will be published in a second volume of his and James Taylor's British Military Lan Rovers
They were powered by the V8 Petrol engine with a "military spec" transfer box (1:1.67 ratio) which provides a lot of low speed capability
Bob Morrison in his article "Whilst Bullet's Fly" says that the large roof rack is for carrying camouflage nets, and possibly also the personal kit of the casualties. It is stated in that article that all the ambulances in Croatia were fitted with radio's at the insistence of Lt Col Lois Lodge the CO of 24 Airmobile
In the Batten Shire "Ambulances" book it states that the 127 ambulances were manufactured in 1987 by Marshalls (Katy would have been as she entered service in Jan 1988). It further states they only had rear windows on the driver's side. I can confirm Katy did not have one on the passenger side from the picture we found - below (picture used by kind permission of Laurie Manton) and they were used by all three services in Bosnia / Croatia and the Gulf war.
This front view is not Katy it is 63-KG-60. it allows a good view of the side window, front spotlights, foglights and blue lights and the radio aerial
In Bosnia / Croatia they can also be seen in camouflage. Here are pictures kindly provided by Clive Thornton of his vehicle before it was resprayed (you can see the state of the paint). Key to note in this picture is the SFOR marking above the door and the word Ambulance on the door along with the prominent red Crosses
In the Gulf they had an "attractive" 2 tone camouflage with red crosses and red crescents
To help other owners here are some lists that I have come across in my reading
Marshalls 127's I have seen in print are
63-KG-52 Land Rover Monthly Feb 2014
In the Batten Shire "Ambulances" book it states that the 127 ambulances were manufactured in 1987 by Marshalls (Katy would have been as she entered service in Jan 1988). It further states they only had rear windows on the driver's side. I can confirm Katy did not have one on the passenger side from the picture we found - below (picture used by kind permission of Laurie Manton) and they were used by all three services in Bosnia / Croatia and the Gulf war.
This front view is not Katy it is 63-KG-60. it allows a good view of the side window, front spotlights, foglights and blue lights and the radio aerial
In Bosnia / Croatia they can also be seen in camouflage. Here are pictures kindly provided by Clive Thornton of his vehicle before it was resprayed (you can see the state of the paint). Key to note in this picture is the SFOR marking above the door and the word Ambulance on the door along with the prominent red Crosses
In both the picture above and the picture below you can see the large window on the drivers side that Katy unfortunately does not have any more. You can also see the standard arrangement of the back doors and the bonnet mounted spare wheel
In the Gulf they had an "attractive" 2 tone camouflage with red crosses and red crescents
To help other owners here are some lists that I have come across in my reading
Marshalls 127's I have seen in print are
63-KG-52 Land Rover Monthly Feb 2014
63-KG-54 Land Rover Monthly Feb 2014
63-KG-60 Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994
63-KG-63 Land Rover Monthly Feb 2014
63-KG-65 Land Rover Owner International Oct 1992
Reprinted as Land Rover Military Portfolio
Also in Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994
UNPF 1266 Land Rover Military Portfolio, Ludvigen Land Rovers
Marshalls 127's that served in Croatia / Bosnia
63-KG-47- SFOR green info from EMLRA
63-KG-52 Land Rover Monthly Feb 2014
63-KG-60 UN White (see above)
63-KG-61- SFOR green info from EMLRA
63-KG-63 Land Rover Monthly Feb 2014
63-KG-67- SFOR green info from EMLRA
63-KG-65 - UN White (see above)
63-KG-73 - SFOR green info from Current owner
63-KG-85- SFOR green info from FLICKR
UNPF 1266 UN White (see above)
Other sightings
63-KG-56 is shown at RAF Manston on FLICKR
63-KG-91 is show on line on this Russian website
This Pitcairn Islands stamp from 1995 featuring the Marshalls 127 Ambulance in UN colours. I can just about make out 63 KG on the number plate, but the last 2 digits are too indistinct
127 Locomotors Ambulances Back to top
63-KG-60 Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994
63-KG-63 Land Rover Monthly Feb 2014
63-KG-65 Land Rover Owner International Oct 1992
Reprinted as Land Rover Military Portfolio
Also in Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994
UNPF 1266 Land Rover Military Portfolio, Ludvigen Land Rovers
Marshalls 127's that served in Croatia / Bosnia
63-KG-47- SFOR green info from EMLRA
63-KG-52 Land Rover Monthly Feb 2014
63-KG-60 UN White (see above)
63-KG-61- SFOR green info from EMLRA
63-KG-63 Land Rover Monthly Feb 2014
63-KG-67- SFOR green info from EMLRA
63-KG-65 - UN White (see above)
63-KG-73 - SFOR green info from Current owner
63-KG-85- SFOR green info from FLICKR
UNPF 1266 UN White (see above)
Other sightings
63-KG-56 is shown at RAF Manston on FLICKR
63-KG-91 is show on line on this Russian website
This Pitcairn Islands stamp from 1995 featuring the Marshalls 127 Ambulance in UN colours. I can just about make out 63 KG on the number plate, but the last 2 digits are too indistinct
Locomotors Ambulances were built in 1989-90 and have a KJ or KK registration according to one response I had to a question, however I have found pictures which have UK registration numbers G-K which indicate anything from 1989 - 1993. There may be some variability in these dates as described above.
I suspect many were made in the 1990-1 period given this comment in Commercial Motors Magazine 7th January 1993, Page 9 which states "The firm has had only one profitable period, in 1990-1991" this was since a management buyout in 1987. Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994 states that there were 2 purchases of this design. There were 124 of these vehicles made in 1988 and 1990 according to information gathered by Geoff Fletcher which will be published in a second volume of his and James Taylor's British Military Land Rovers
Whereas Marshalls Ambulances were based on a chassis up build. I've been told by an owner that the Locomotors ones were based on a 127 pick-up and that if you drill into the corners the original curved corner windows are still in place and you break them. These were also V8 Petrol engine powered. I haven't found out how many of these were made so if anyone knows please let me know
James Taylor in Land Rover Defender, 90 and 110 Range states that the vehicles supplied in 1989 were built by MMbi to a design by Locomotors
James Taylor and Bob Morrison in Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994 states that there were two batches of these ambulances purchased before Locomotors ended as a company.
There were 124 of these vehicles made in 1988 and 1990 according to information gathered by Geoff Fletcher which was published in a second volume of his and James Taylor's British Military Land Rovers - get the book if you want to look your vehicles details up!
A Locomotors ambulance (camper conversion) is the one on the left in this picture with a Pulse to the right which is described below
A Locomotors Ambulance 10-KJ-65 is reported by Bob Morrison in Land Rover Monthly Feb 2014 as being the only 127 Ambulance that was deployed to the gulf as part of the Commando Helicopter Operations Support Cell.
To help other owners here are some lists that I have come across in my reading
Locomotors 127's I have seen in print are
10-KJ-62 Green outside the medical Centre RAF Waddingham
Bob Morrison in Land Rover Monthly, In an article entitled “Sentry Duty”.
This article is reprinted on page 5 of “Combat Land Rovers Portfolio no. 1”
10-KJ-65 Desert colour, with red Cross and Red Crescent markings
Land Rover Monthly Feb 2014, Land Rover Military PortfolioAlso in Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994
10-KJ-81 Green, Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994
10-KK-27 Green, Land Rover Monthly Feb 2014
Also in Modern Military Land Rovers: In Colour, 1971-1994
UNPF 1250 White, UN Markings, Land Rover Military Portfolio
Other sightings
10-KJ-52 has been used on TV done out to look a bit like a pulse pictures on FLICKR
10-KJ-77 is on FLICKR
Bob Morrison in Land Rover Monthly, In an article entitled “Singing the Blues: almost 50 years of military Land Rover with Flashing lights and sirens”. This article is reprinted on page 130 of “Combat Land Rovers Portfolio no. 1” states that 10-KJ-65 saw active service in support of commando helicopter operations in the Gulf War, Kurdistan and Croatia
Some more pictures of a well maintained Locomotors Ambulance on display at the Kelmarsh land Rover show in 2017
The current version is based on the military-spec Defender XD130 (XD is Extra Duties and in this form is also known as "Pulse" or, less accurately, "Wolf"). Wolf is the name of the military spec Land Rover The Pulse is mechanically identical to the Wolf except for the 130's upgraded suspension, the most notable difference is its stretched body.
It is 8 inches wider than the previous 127's and this gives the back a bit more space. In an LRM article in about 1999 (reprinted in "Combat Land Rovers Portfolio No 1) he comments that "whilst designed to carry 6 seated up to 9 can be carried in reasonable comfort"
The Defender XD 130, like the Wolf is powered by a variant of the 300 TDi engine specially developed to meet MoD specifications engine, and like all Defenders of the age has permanent four-wheel drive and five forward gears. It is based on the Wolfs' Range Rover derived chassis not the civilian Defender chassis.
800 of these were ordered by the MOD in 1996. There was quite an interesting debate in parliament when this was announced along with the purchase of 8000 Wolf land Rovers.
Lady Olga Maitland made the statement
Does my hon. Friend accept that Securicor Steyr, which also put in a bid for the ambulance contract, had an excellent record in the trials? Indeed, its vehicle broke down only once, compared to Land-Rover's 17 times.A summary of the deciding factors is cost (the Land Rover was cheaper) and an understanding that although the Pinzgauer competition was probably even more capable off road it was actually more capable than a casualty would cope with
The Dutch Marines were the first armed forces to take delivery of the vehicle closely followed by the MOD. The Pulse serves along with the 8000 Wolf's of the British MOD, the obvious inter-changeability of mechanical parts between very similar vehicles is an advantage to mechanics in the field.
It was also reported in Land Rover Monthly by Bob Morrison. In an article entitled “Singing the Blues: almost 50 years of military Land Rover with Flashing lights and sirens”. This article is reprinted on page 130 of “Combat Land Rovers Portfolio no. 1”
The award of the contract was also reported in January 1996 Commercial Vehicle Magazine along with a picture of a very muddy prototype vehicle
It was also reported in the Dunsfold Land Rover Trust Newsletter for February 1996:
...congratulations to Land Rover for winning the large British Army contract for light 4x4 vehicles during January 1996. Contract is for 8,800 vehicles, of which 8,000 will be light and medium utility trucks (that is, Defender XD90 and XD110 models) and the other 800 will be field ambulance with Marshall bodywork on the Defender XD130 chassis. All will have the 300Tdi engine. This is the largest order Land Rover has ever received, and came shortly after the company signed a contract to supply vehicles to the Italian Army for the first time.
The two contracts together are worth more than 200 million pounds sterling and the company estimates that the knock-on effect of winning these orders could generate additional business worth up to 400 million pounds over the next few years. So those pessimists who believed that the Defender was about to be phased out have been proved wrong yet again! The new military models were developed under the codename of Wolf, and the original Wolf I design submitted for trials was subsequently beefed-up considerably to produce Wolf 2, which won the contract. Wolf 2, or the Defender XD (eXtra Duty) will be built alongside the existing Defender models and, although there are no plans to offer it on the civilian market yet, Land Rover could no doubt be persuaded if someone were to put in a large fleet order...
The blocky shape of this Pulse is instantly recognisable. It's a key departure from the earlier Marshall's look.
I got the dimensions in the left column from the Army, and corrected figures from a comment left on this blog
I have just measured our Pulse 130 Battlefield ambulance, these are the dimensions: 5200mm (length) x 2820mm (height) x 2120mm (width). I often see the dimensions you quote and I have no idea how they arrive at them from a Pulse 130, even if you don't include the land rover part
Thanks Jon
In Land Rover Defender 90 and 110 Range 30 Years of the Coil Sprung 4x4 Models, James Taylor states that the 2002 the Dutch army ordered a small number of Ambulances based on the Marshall Bodied XD 130 Chassis design and that these were the last XD Land Rovers to be built
There is a nice cut-out diagram that was used as a press photograph and also in a brochure that I have seen dated 1996-7
And here is a leaflet by land Rover - interestingly no mention of Marshalls in this brochure
Bob Morrison has recently (Dec 2018) written an informative blog post about them you can read it at https://www.joint-forces.com/features/military-land-rovers/19935-mlr-pt-12-pulse-130-battle-field-ambulance
Wadham Stringer Range Rover
From http://www.emlra.org/index.php/vehicles/the-first-military-range-rover
Production vehicle number 3 (chassis # 35500048A) was taken from the line towards the end of August 1970 and sent to Wadham Stringer near Portsmouth for conversion to a rapid response medical vehicle.
It was registered as ELA 830J under the ownership of the Ministry of Technology. Despite ELA's design being rejected, the vehicle itself was dispatched to Boscombe Down, Salisbury At Boscombe Down, ELA was used for parachute recovery and airfield medical emergencies. (see Wadham Stringer in Civilian Range Rover Ambulances below)
They give a full life story for the vehicle and show a number of images of the vehicle in various states of its life I have found one of the press images elsewhere and repeat it here
I got the dimensions in the left column from the Army, and corrected figures from a comment left on this blog
I have just measured our Pulse 130 Battlefield ambulance, these are the dimensions: 5200mm (length) x 2820mm (height) x 2120mm (width). I often see the dimensions you quote and I have no idea how they arrive at them from a Pulse 130, even if you don't include the land rover part
Thanks Jon
From the Army website written by some admin who has probably never seen one in person
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Corrected from an Owner
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Weight:
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3 tonnes unladen, 3.7 tonnes (laden)
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Dimensions:
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3.72m (length) x 1.99m (height) x 1.79m (width)
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5200mm (length) x 2820mm (height) x 2120mm (width).
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Payload:
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1.2 tonnes
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Fuel capacity:
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82 litres
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Engines:
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2.495 litre 4 cylinder (in line water cooled; indirect injection;
turbo injection)
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In Land Rover Defender 90 and 110 Range 30 Years of the Coil Sprung 4x4 Models, James Taylor states that the 2002 the Dutch army ordered a small number of Ambulances based on the Marshall Bodied XD 130 Chassis design and that these were the last XD Land Rovers to be built
There is a nice cut-out diagram that was used as a press photograph and also in a brochure that I have seen dated 1996-7
And here is a leaflet by land Rover - interestingly no mention of Marshalls in this brochure
Bob Morrison has recently (Dec 2018) written an informative blog post about them you can read it at https://www.joint-forces.com/features/military-land-rovers/19935-mlr-pt-12-pulse-130-battle-field-ambulance
Wadham Stringer Range Rover
From http://www.emlra.org/index.php/vehicles/the-first-military-range-rover
Production vehicle number 3 (chassis # 35500048A) was taken from the line towards the end of August 1970 and sent to Wadham Stringer near Portsmouth for conversion to a rapid response medical vehicle.
It was registered as ELA 830J under the ownership of the Ministry of Technology. Despite ELA's design being rejected, the vehicle itself was dispatched to Boscombe Down, Salisbury At Boscombe Down, ELA was used for parachute recovery and airfield medical emergencies. (see Wadham Stringer in Civilian Range Rover Ambulances below)
They give a full life story for the vehicle and show a number of images of the vehicle in various states of its life I have found one of the press images elsewhere and repeat it here
Non UK Forces Military Ambulances
Series I Pilcher Military Ambulances
I came across pictures on this forum posting that look like Series I front ends and it states that were built by Pilchers for NATO. I have since been shown a picture that appeared in the Series One club magazine and forum. It certainly looks like the same location and time because the central avenue of tent and flags is present in all both the pictures
I think that the green vehicle with the red cross behind the white one in the series 1 club picture looks much more like the Bonallack design shown above in the UK forces section
I came across pictures on this forum posting that look like Series I front ends and it states that were built by Pilchers for NATO. I have since been shown a picture that appeared in the Series One club magazine and forum. It certainly looks like the same location and time because the central avenue of tent and flags is present in all both the pictures
I think that the green vehicle with the red cross behind the white one in the series 1 club picture looks much more like the Bonallack design shown above in the UK forces section
Carter System - Australian Version
In Australia they had a very similar Series 1 with 'Field Ambulance' canvas extension: 16 Field Ambulance, Malaya 1957 as can be seen on the REMLR website The canvas extension is shorter than the pictures in the UK examples |
| Australian Series 1 Picture from Barry Ford used with permission from REMLR.com |
Carter System - Minerva Version
There looks to be a Minerva Version of the Carter system as a model of one was made by Kenna as described here
Jupiter Models Land Rover Minerva Ambulance - 1/43rd scale model made by Kenna for Belgium Trucks of a Minerva Land Rover, military green with white square/red cross to sides
There is a Picture here
Santana Land Rovers were also converted to ambulances. Santana built Land Rovers under licence in Spain. The were created under the Militar model name and used a 6 cylinder petrol or diesel engines, both 3.5 litre with a Lightweight styled front end on a 109 chassis with a slightly angled rear section to improve departure angle, similar, but not as extreme as the Marshalls Series Land Rovers.
There were at least 3 versions of these ambulances from pictures that I have located on the internet and in books.
From some very sketchy information I think that Santana were building ambulances in the range of 1978 to 1987 (but that ins =certainly not definitive)
A very boxy version is shown in the book Land Rover: 65 Years of the 4 x 4 Workhorse By James Taylor
There is also a quite square version on-line at http://imatgessobrerodes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/land-rover-ambulancia.html and a third more rounded version is shown on a Santana brochure that is available on-line at http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6105-1.html Publication number M. 27792-1980, dated 1980 that version is also found in this image from wikimedia (used under licence)
Distinctive to both of these forms is the provision of 2 windows on each side of the ambulance body which would have given a well lit working area
I have since found pictures of real ones HERE and with kind permission of Matt I am able to share some pictures of his
Santana Land Rover Ambulances Santana Land Rovers were also converted to ambulances. Santana built Land Rovers under licence in Spain. The were created under the Militar model name and used a 6 cylinder petrol or diesel engines, both 3.5 litre with a Lightweight styled front end on a 109 chassis with a slightly angled rear section to improve departure angle, similar, but not as extreme as the Marshalls Series Land Rovers.
There were at least 3 versions of these ambulances from pictures that I have located on the internet and in books.
From some very sketchy information I think that Santana were building ambulances in the range of 1978 to 1987 (but that ins =certainly not definitive)
There is also a quite square version on-line at http://imatgessobrerodes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/land-rover-ambulancia.html and a third more rounded version is shown on a Santana brochure that is available on-line at http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6105-1.html Publication number M. 27792-1980, dated 1980 that version is also found in this image from wikimedia (used under licence)
Distinctive to both of these forms is the provision of 2 windows on each side of the ambulance body which would have given a well lit working area
Australian Series II and IIA Forward Area Land Rover Ambulances
The REMLR site also has many pictures of what are termed Forward Area Land Rover Ambulances
The REMLR site also has many pictures of what are termed Forward Area Land Rover Ambulances
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| Forward Area Ambulance Picture from DMO newsletter used with permission from REMLR.com |
Australian Series II (and onwards) Land Rover Ambulances (Bloodboxes)
I've found some really interesting pages about the Australian 109 Series 2 and 2A Ambulances on the absolutely excellent Australian Registry of Ex Military Land Rovers site.There really is such an excellent write up on the site so there is no reason to copy a lot of it here. Some salient points are that they were produced between 1961 and 1967 with 184 of them in total and with some interesting adaptations called for after the extensive testing which was performed on 2 prototype vehicles.
These are quite an interesting conversion as they have a very high roof in comparison to the UK conversions so in many ways more of a logical derivative from the original Series I design than than low roof Series II Mickelover / Marshalls design. They also have what looks like a safari roof construction which is no doubt a feature designed to assist with the temperatures they were operating in.
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| Restored Bloodboz "Norma Jean" Picture used with permission from REMLR.com |
The story of the development of the Bloodboxes can be found on these excellent pages from REMLR
http://www.remlr.com/bloodbox_story.html
http://www.remlr.com/lrprpics2a.html |
| Restored Bloodboz "Norma Jean" Picture used with permission from REMLR.com |
http://www.remlr.com/bloodbox_story.html
http://www.remlr.com/2Abloodbox.html
http://www.remlr.com/S3109ambulance.html
The Ambulances were used on active duty in Vietnam as recorded in Bob Bald's personal account
The site above makes reference to John Bamfords excellent pages on field testing these vehicles. John has some fascinating pictures of them in interesting places from his work in practically testing them in the Australian jungle and desert
From their records it looks that a couple were sold to the New Zealand Forces
Perentie's are named after a yellow / brown lizard that thrives in the arid desert areas of Australia lizard known for it's camouflage and it's ability to survive in harshest conditions.
Perentie Ambulances are 6x6 vehicles built by Jaguar Rover Australia (JRA) for the Australian forces. There were multiple variants of Perentie's, some were built as ambulances suitable for a medical attendant plus either 4 stretchers, 8 seated or 2 stretchers and 4 seated patients.
The Perentie ambulance bodies are fibreglass; they have air conditioning provided from an engine mounded compressor. The cab and the ambulance module are connected via a flexible tunnel but have a full isolation system. A compartment above the cab can be used to store equipment and personal items for the crew the cab itself is built on a steel space frame.
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| Perntie Pcture by Ian Withnall, Used with permission from REMLR.com |
They were based on the Defender 110 and entered service with the Australian Army in 1986. There are a number of differences to a standard Land Rover, the cab is 8 inches wider and 4 inches more back to the bulkhead allowing space for 3 crew in the cab as well as 4 stretchers and an attendant in the back
A Perentie 6x6 weighed in at a significant 4.65 tonnes, but by the time the ambulance had been fitted out and fully staffed it came in at a massive 5.6 tonnes, I am presuming as they had a GRP body they were not intended for front line combat use, but I would love to hear from anyone who has knowledge of that directly
There are pictures of them on the excellent REMLR site http://www.remlr.com/perentie_identification.html#6x6ambo and at http://www.remlr.com/nonremlr/withnall/ambulance.html
There is an excellent article from the Paulatim magazine (The Journal of the Royal Australian Medical Corps) which describes their introduction to service and gives a really good overview of their fit out http://www.remlr.com/photos/PerentieProj/LR%20HD6x6%20Paulatim.pdf
According to this site http://funrover.com/history/the-best-land-rover-ever-made/ there were 94 Ambulances. Another good summary of them is here http://www.lr-mad.co.uk/en/perentie
Otokar Ambulance
Otokar based in Istanbul, Turkey began to built Defender based Landrover’s under licence in 1987.
Otokar produced D90, D110 and D130 vehicles Using the 2.5l four-cylinder 300Tdi engine models included Station Wagon, Hard Top, Single Cab Pick Up, Double Cab Pick Up and Fire tenders. The military range includes command vehicles, troop carriers, search and rescue vehicles, field workshop vehicles, weapon platforms, FFR and ambulances as stated on their website: -
There is a picture of one on page 118 of Pat Ware's book "Haynes - Military Land Rover Enthusiasts manual" a version of which can be found on-line here which is said to be based on the 110 Chassis
James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse" has a picture of a 110 based "ambulans" which may in fact be a standard 110, and a picture of the variant you can find in the link above
There are other variants using a boxy rear cabin, and one in civilian paintwork which can be found on-line here
I have found a brochure for a 130 variant here
Brazilian MilitaryAmbulance
In Land Rover Defender 90 and 110 Range 30 Years of the Coil Sprung 4x4 Models, James Taylor shows a picture of a 110 based Canvas panelled door soft top ambulance
Dutch MilitaryAmbulance
As well as the 109 and Pulse ambulances mentioned above, James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse" has a picture of a 110 based Dutch ambulance. it is very box like with absolutely no streamlining which is quite strange as it's apparently from Marshalls who had other designs available
French Military Ambulance
There are pictures of the Durisotti Ambulance (described below) in military paint
Laird Centaur MilitaryAmbulance
There is a picture of one on page 159 of Pat Ware's book "Haynes - Military Land Rover Enthusiasts manual" a version of the centaur with "ambulance" style paintwork, as the Centaur's did not enter mainstream production I am uncertain as to whether this was a mock up or a real vehicle
MMBi Military Land Rover ambulances
I think this picture of an Irish Land Rover Ambulance looks very like MMBi styling from their brochures of the mid 2000's
I suspect that they managed to pick up a contract with the Irish forces, whether it was any different to the specification that they offered to civilians I do not know
Pakistan Army Land Rover Ambulances
I have found pictures of a Pakistan Army variant that is different from other variants, unfortunately I have not found any images to link to that are not specifically rights managed and therefore I am unable to provide an online link at the moment. if anyone does find a picture that is free to use please let me know via a comment or the contact form
Civilian Series Land Rover Ambulances Back to top
Otokar based in Istanbul, Turkey began to built Defender based Landrover’s under licence in 1987.
Otokar produced D90, D110 and D130 vehicles Using the 2.5l four-cylinder 300Tdi engine models included Station Wagon, Hard Top, Single Cab Pick Up, Double Cab Pick Up and Fire tenders. The military range includes command vehicles, troop carriers, search and rescue vehicles, field workshop vehicles, weapon platforms, FFR and ambulances as stated on their website: -
Otokar manufactures Land Rover Defender model 4x4 tactical vehicles under Land Rover license in parallel with customer needs. Thanks to its varied body styles and wheelbases, Defender has the optimum seating and load flexibility for military usage. With adaptable and robust design features, vehicle forms very suitable platform for various conversions. Otokar manufactures special bodies on Defenders for field ambulance applications, command vehicles, troop carriers, search and rescue vehicles, field workshop vehicles or weapon platforms. Defender is equipped with 2.2 lt turbo diesel engine specifically tuned for off-road capability which has an outstanding performance with a maximum torque of 360Nm’s
There is a picture of one on page 118 of Pat Ware's book "Haynes - Military Land Rover Enthusiasts manual" a version of which can be found on-line here which is said to be based on the 110 Chassis
James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse" has a picture of a 110 based "ambulans" which may in fact be a standard 110, and a picture of the variant you can find in the link above
There are other variants using a boxy rear cabin, and one in civilian paintwork which can be found on-line here
I have found a brochure for a 130 variant here
Brazilian MilitaryAmbulance
In Land Rover Defender 90 and 110 Range 30 Years of the Coil Sprung 4x4 Models, James Taylor shows a picture of a 110 based Canvas panelled door soft top ambulance
Dutch MilitaryAmbulance
As well as the 109 and Pulse ambulances mentioned above, James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse" has a picture of a 110 based Dutch ambulance. it is very box like with absolutely no streamlining which is quite strange as it's apparently from Marshalls who had other designs available
French Military Ambulance
There are pictures of the Durisotti Ambulance (described below) in military paint
There is a picture of one on page 159 of Pat Ware's book "Haynes - Military Land Rover Enthusiasts manual" a version of the centaur with "ambulance" style paintwork, as the Centaur's did not enter mainstream production I am uncertain as to whether this was a mock up or a real vehicle
MMBi Military Land Rover ambulances
I think this picture of an Irish Land Rover Ambulance looks very like MMBi styling from their brochures of the mid 2000's
I suspect that they managed to pick up a contract with the Irish forces, whether it was any different to the specification that they offered to civilians I do not know
Pakistan Army Land Rover Ambulances
I have found pictures of a Pakistan Army variant that is different from other variants, unfortunately I have not found any images to link to that are not specifically rights managed and therefore I am unable to provide an online link at the moment. if anyone does find a picture that is free to use please let me know via a comment or the contact form
Civilian Series Land Rover Ambulances Back to top
The civilian history started as early as the military history as the Series 1 was used as an ambulance. Some manufactures created vehicles for both markets as mentioned above. Some have been used by non UK forces, but to the best of my knowledge at this time the ones described below were not made specifically for the military market where as the ones above were (but may have been used in civilian mode once decommissioned)
Gwynedd Ambulance
I don't know who made this or even whether it was a conversion or just a stocked up standard Land Rover
"A 1956 vehicle was in service with the civilian Gwynedd Ambulance service until 1994. It was equipped with a railed stretcher frame in the rear, it was often used to transport medical staff during bad weather conditions."
This format is now available as an Oxford Die Cast Model Ambulance in the Gwynedd Health Authority colours of the late 1950's. As their website says
Pilcher-Green Series 1 Dispensary
Pilcher (later Pilcher-Green) of Wimbledon did ambulance conversions of Series land rovers
From the BBC
The motor manufacturer has also been supplying vehicles to the Red Cross since 1954. The first was a mobile dispensary in Dubai.Details of this can be found online from the pages of The Commercial Motor Magazine April 1954 page 50
"A FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE long-wheelbase Land Rover forms the basis of a mobile dispensary which the British Red Cross Society arc sending to Dubai for operation in remote areas of the Persian Gulf. It has' been built and equipped by Messrs. Pilchers, ambulance specialists, 314 Kingston Road, London, S.W.20,"Also not a true ambulance, but James Taylor in in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse " shows a picture of a mobile dispensary by Pilchers on page 42
Pilcher Series I “Ambulance” Grizzly Torque
There is also information about a 1957 Pilcher ambulance used as an expedition vehicle in this post on the Series One club site. Canadian naturalist and Artist Bristol Foster and Robert Bateman took a 1957, with Pilcher ambulance body on an "Around the World" tour in 1957/58. That post contains pictures of what it looked like when it was “discovered” in December 2014
It has very unusual panelling which James Taylor of Roverphile confirms is an early Pilchers design (see Pilchers Series II below) it was known as "Grizzly Torque".
There are a lot more pictures on the Rover Landers of British Columbia forum and it looks like the vehicle had a wonderful set of adventures.
It has been rebuilt and repainted to look original, below is as completed in May 2015 with the full story at http://www.roverlanders.bc.ca/roverforum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=7773
Pilcher Series II Ambulance
James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse " references a series II "land Rover Cross Country Ambulance with pressed side panels for additional stiffness, and to reduce drumming. He states that it was designed for the series I chassis.
Having looked at the pictures of "Grizzly Torque" above I had wondered whether this design is in fact the cross country ambulance, and James has confirmed to me via email that the Grizzly Torque was indeed an early version of this design
Similar design can be seen in the Pilcher Series IIa design below
Series II Unknown Maker
Land Rover themselves show a picture of a civilian liveried Series IIa Land Rover Ambulance on their press website
This is described as a 1969 Series IIa ambulance and appears to be outside the original Land Rover offices in Solihull Picture used under licence. Although the front of the body is curved like the Pilcher-Greene ambulances it is not the same line as they use so I am not sure of the manufacturer at this time
Series II Appleyard of Leeds Ambulances
In June 2015 a picture came up for sale on eBay for a marketing picture from Appleyard of Leeds for a Series II Ambulance. From researches they were well known as Coach builders (busses) and also ambulances on many different platforms (Morris, BMC and Bedford amongst them according to the linked sources
Series II 109 Lomas Ambulances
An example of this is featured in LRO magazine in November 1997 about the ambulances of North Wales by Alan Hammond it gives the registration as SUN281 and states it was made in 1958 and shows a picture at the Lomas works. This is stated to the first ever Lomas Land Rover Ambulance conversion in the article
James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse " references the same series II 109 ambulance being the first that Lomas built and has a picture. This would be pre the date given for Lomas being an approved converter for Land Rover if the information below is correct and it may be that it was only after some unofficial conversions that approval was provided
Series II Forward Control Lomas Ambulances
Lomas made a Forward Control Series II ambulance. An example of this is featured in LRO magazine in 1997 where BUN 262B features. This registration was first registered during the period January 1964 to December 1964 and was first registered in Denbighshire.
This is stated to be a Lomas built ambulance body on a Carmichael lengthened chassis based on a Series II forward control, and powered with a 2.25 litre engine.
There is a picture here
Series IIA 109 Lomas Ambulances
Herbert Lomas were located at Handforth, Wimslow, Cheshire and also at Cheltenham according to the brochures referenced in this section
The Lomas company certainly offered Ambulances based on the 109 chassis from 1965. This date is referenced by James Taylor who says that Approved Conversion status was granted that year and also from the investigations of Paul Lund (see below)
Lomas were producing ambulances before they started with Land Rovers, I've not determined yet when their Land Rover Ambulances were, first produced but they were certainly in production from 1965 (as referenced above and see below) and on 27th September 1968, because The Commercial Motor Magazine reports them as on show
There is the Paul Lund Lomas rebuild story of a 1965 Ambulance here http://www.rtrehearn.plus.com/lomas_land_rover_restoration.htm This restoration has been done to civilian spec and colours which is appropriate as it was a factory demonstrator.
There is also information about a 1957 Pilcher ambulance used as an expedition vehicle in this post on the Series One club site. Canadian naturalist and Artist Bristol Foster and Robert Bateman took a 1957, with Pilcher ambulance body on an "Around the World" tour in 1957/58. That post contains pictures of what it looked like when it was “discovered” in December 2014
It has very unusual panelling which James Taylor of Roverphile confirms is an early Pilchers design (see Pilchers Series II below) it was known as "Grizzly Torque".
There are a lot more pictures on the Rover Landers of British Columbia forum and it looks like the vehicle had a wonderful set of adventures.
It has been rebuilt and repainted to look original, below is as completed in May 2015 with the full story at http://www.roverlanders.bc.ca/roverforum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=7773
Pilcher Series II Ambulance
James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse " references a series II "land Rover Cross Country Ambulance with pressed side panels for additional stiffness, and to reduce drumming. He states that it was designed for the series I chassis.
Having looked at the pictures of "Grizzly Torque" above I had wondered whether this design is in fact the cross country ambulance, and James has confirmed to me via email that the Grizzly Torque was indeed an early version of this design
Similar design can be seen in the Pilcher Series IIa design below
Bonallack & Sons Ltd Series I
Commercial Motor 31st May 1957 reports that a Series I ambulance was being offered as a civilian vehicle as well as in-use by UK forces as described above
Commercial Motor 31st May 1957 reports that a Series I ambulance was being offered as a civilian vehicle as well as in-use by UK forces as described above
A CIVILIAN version of the aluminium ambulance body originally developed for the R.A.F. is being offered by Bonallack and Sons, Ltd., Basildon, Essex. It is based on the Land Rover chassis and provides space for two stretchers
Land Rover themselves show a picture of a civilian liveried Series IIa Land Rover Ambulance on their press website
This is described as a 1969 Series IIa ambulance and appears to be outside the original Land Rover offices in Solihull Picture used under licence. Although the front of the body is curved like the Pilcher-Greene ambulances it is not the same line as they use so I am not sure of the manufacturer at this time
Series II Appleyard of Leeds Ambulances
In June 2015 a picture came up for sale on eBay for a marketing picture from Appleyard of Leeds for a Series II Ambulance. From researches they were well known as Coach builders (busses) and also ambulances on many different platforms (Morris, BMC and Bedford amongst them according to the linked sources
Series II 109 Lomas Ambulances
An example of this is featured in LRO magazine in November 1997 about the ambulances of North Wales by Alan Hammond it gives the registration as SUN281 and states it was made in 1958 and shows a picture at the Lomas works. This is stated to the first ever Lomas Land Rover Ambulance conversion in the article
James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse " references the same series II 109 ambulance being the first that Lomas built and has a picture. This would be pre the date given for Lomas being an approved converter for Land Rover if the information below is correct and it may be that it was only after some unofficial conversions that approval was provided
Lomas made a Forward Control Series II ambulance. An example of this is featured in LRO magazine in 1997 where BUN 262B features. This registration was first registered during the period January 1964 to December 1964 and was first registered in Denbighshire.
This is stated to be a Lomas built ambulance body on a Carmichael lengthened chassis based on a Series II forward control, and powered with a 2.25 litre engine.
There is a picture here
Series IIA 109 Lomas Ambulances
Herbert Lomas were located at Handforth, Wimslow, Cheshire and also at Cheltenham according to the brochures referenced in this section
The Lomas company certainly offered Ambulances based on the 109 chassis from 1965. This date is referenced by James Taylor who says that Approved Conversion status was granted that year and also from the investigations of Paul Lund (see below)
Lomas were producing ambulances before they started with Land Rovers, I've not determined yet when their Land Rover Ambulances were, first produced but they were certainly in production from 1965 (as referenced above and see below) and on 27th September 1968, because The Commercial Motor Magazine reports them as on show
"Records of Herbert Lomas Ltd. show that over the past 20 years it has exported ambulances to 80 countries In an endeavour to ' satisfy the needs of particular spheres overseas a design in completely knocked-down form for assembly on the spot has been evolved. This is to be seen in finished form on a Land-Rover chassis (Stand 71) and improved headroom makes it practicable to carry four stretchers.I've found a good history of the Lomas ambulances which backs up some of that information and has been put together by a descendant of the Lomas family http://www.rtrehearn.plus.com/lomas_ambulances.htm. It has links to brochures. It does have one picture of a Series II in military green and one of a Series III in civilian colours
In very hot climates it is often necessary to reduce the interior temperature of an ambulance by 18 to 20 deg., and for this reason full air conditioning is being fitted to this model. The Lomas system employs standard parts that are readily available, for instance, in the Middle East so that replacements would be obtainable should they be necessary.
On its own stand (No. 136) Lomas has two ambulances fitted with mains storage heaters so that they are kept warm and ready for duty at any time"
"On a 109in.-chassis there is a Lomas ambulance conversion with a glass reinforced plastics body built to increased height to accommodate four stretchers".
There is the Paul Lund Lomas rebuild story of a 1965 Ambulance here http://www.rtrehearn.plus.com/lomas_land_rover_restoration.htm This restoration has been done to civilian spec and colours which is appropriate as it was a factory demonstrator.
A Lomas IIA was featured on a postcard issued in 1996. This series of Collectors Cards (trading cards) was issued in the UK by ‘Golden Era’ and features high quality illustrations plus full descriptions (on each card reverse) of the classic Land-Rover Series 2/2A produced between 1958 and 1971. On the reverse of the Ambulance card it is stated that they were in production from 1961 to 1971
Details are shown below of all the vehicles/models covered in the set:
Land-Rover 88-inch
Land-Rover 2A Forward Control
Land-Rover 88-inch Station Wagon
Land-Rover Ambulance (H.Lomas)
Land-Rover Military Half-Ton
Land-Rover 109-inch Station Wagon
Land-Rover 88-inch Hard-Top
Brochures for Lomas Series II ambulances can be found at the following links
Model F/M http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/7026-1.html This brochure clearly shows that they are looking for military contracts as the design is an "Ideal Ambulance for Civil and Air Port use and Military Air Force, All metal construction"
Model J/M http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/7065-1.html it is worth noting that this example shows a tropical roof as an optional extra and refers to the design as being "To the order of Shell Petroleum for service in Columbia". Also from the brochure, "several interior designs are available"
James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse " references that there was a Canvas top model in addition to the body variants described above, and that some were used by the Navy and Marines
Pilcher became Pilcher (Merton) Ltd some time during the time of the Series II Land Rovers. Trading from Victoria Road, Burgess Hill Sussex and Kingston Road Wimbledon during this time
They offered a number of models. With headlights in the centre, not the wings these are Series II / IIA ambulances. The model numbers can be seen to come from drawing numbers according to notes on 2 of the brochures referenced in links below.
A Mobile Dispensary, Series 7427/S2 In the pictures you can see that this is a pick-up vehicle with a separate back on it.http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/7039-1.html
Something that looks very much like this is featured on this Kenya stamp from 1980
An Ambulance, Series 7428 with the same separate rear compartment, but with a single large window instead of the two in the dispensary model is offered as a "cheaper class" vehicle compared to the standard Ambulance http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/7007-1.html
Two Stretcher Ambulance That site also has a brochure for an ambulance with a fully integrated body which is shown in the pre headlight repositioned Series IIA in these brochures. As staged by James Taylor this Coach built ambulance had "stylish pressing" in the body sides. http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/7008-1.html
I found something very much like this, but with a different side window configuration at a local show. With a split front screen it is a Series 2A
The information place states it was made by Pilchers of Burgess Hill.
The Deluxe Model Series 7489/S3 was also available. As noted above James Taylor comments that the Coach built ambulance had "stylish pressing", but in this brochure it shows smooth side panels and was available "in standard or de-luxe form with a choice of interior equipment and a full range of optional extras." (maybe this is standard). As can be seen in this brochure http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/7069-1.html it came with a choice of a 4 or a 6 cylinder engine
Bonallack & Sons Ltd Series III Ambulance
James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse" has a picture of Series III Ambulances that are stated to be built by Bonallack
Pilcher-Greene Series III Ambulance
This brochure for a Series III ambulance conversion from Pilcher-Greene can be identified as such by the curved grill shape in brochures as can be see at http://www.flickr.com/photos/47362452@N02/4749239357/ where it was offered in 2 body types. Type J in fiberglass and Type P in Aluminum with fibreglass panelling.
This stamp from Lebanon in 1969 looks like a Pilchers Ambulance to me, but I am not certain and would appreciate any feedback
Another brochure http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6088-1.html shows a Type A (separate cab) and Type E (integrated body) variants whereas this mobile dispensary brochure http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6089-2.html offers Type U (separate cab) and Type W (integrated body) variants
It is noted in Commercial Vehicle Magazine 24th Sept 1976 that they exhibited at Earls Court Motor Show
PILCHER-GREENE Ltd is showing ambulance conversions of both the Range Rover and Land-Rover.
Mounted on a Series III 2.8m (9 ft l in) wheelbase Land-Rover, the second four-wheel-drive ambulance on the stand can be specified with four or six-cylinder petrol or four-cylinder diesel engines. The ambulance will accommodate one stretcher with four sitting patients. Alternatively two stretcher cases or eight sitting patients can be carried.
James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse" has a picture of Series III Veterinary Mobile Dispensary
James Taylor in "Land Rover 65 years of the 4x4 workhorse" has a picture of Series III Veterinary Mobile Dispensary
Wadham Stringer Series III Ambulance
Wadham Stringer of Waterlooville, Hants produced a Series III ambulance during the times that Land Rover were owned by British Leyland as can be seen in this brochure http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6034-1.html
It had a coach built body on a 109 chassis with either a double rear door. Body in steel sheet and the roof in moulded Glassfibre. Three Layout options giving space for 2, 3 or 4 stretchers depending on the option chosen. 2 stretchers would be 2 Reasac stretcher trolleys 4 would be simple fold down tube and canvas stretchers, 3 would be 1 trolley and 2 fold down. There was an option for up to 8 seats in the back instead of stretchers.
There is one of these vehicles at the Brooklands Museum with the following details "Built with Serial No. 94200111A. First registered 21-Sep-1972 and delivered to Hawker Sidely Aviation at Dunford where it was based at the fire station. JOR 787L is in it's final British Aerospace colours
There is is a picture here HERE and HERE
The dimensions are given as Length 15ft 10 In (4.8m) Width 5ft 9in (1.75m) Height 8ft 11in (2.5m) and is stated to have a 2.6L four cylinder petrol engine
There were other options as I have found a set of pictures of a vehicle for sale that had a single rear door
IBIS Engineering Series III Ambulance
From a comment left on the blog by Antonio Pedro Santos (many thanks) I have been made aware of another manufacturer IBIS M3 Engineering of Kendal, Cumbria, UK who manufactured Series III 109 based ambulances which they describe as "Mobile Medical Units"
Pictures can be seen here http://forum.landmania.pt/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19342 The blog is in Portuguese and from the text on the side of the vehicles they are certainly Iberian being for the SNA (Portuguese National Ambulance Service), on the Series 2 forum it records 7 of these vehicles being found in Portugal.
In LRM January 2013 it was reported that these were 4 Cylinder petrol engined, based on 915-Series CKD chassis and use Triples Windscreen glass rather than the Covina glass that is usual for the Portugal vehicles. They had Ramsey Winches, Series IIA style heaters in the cab and another in the body. Three were allocated to the Serra da Estrala region, one to Pico Island, one to Beja and the sixth to Vila Real. Antonio also tracked down a seventh based on a 6 cylinder petrol and the 944-series LHD Export type chassis
There is some information about IBIS including aerial photographs of the works on http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw026809 from that you can see that IBIS is from the firm name Isaac Braithwaite and Sons.
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| Image used under licence with attribution |
The IBIS name was trademarked in relation to the build of industrial washing machines http://www.trademarkia.com/ibis-71266353.html I have no idea if this is the same business or not
There is a nice video by Antonio of one with the engine running http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riWwtGdCydw
Herbert Lomas Stage 1 / One Ten Ambulances
I have tracked down pictures of what is described as: -
1978 Land Rover Stage 1 V8/Herbert Lomas ambulance.I have had permission to share the pictures here so ... With Kind permission of the photographer and also Peter Murphy who had these pictures as part of a flickr photostream which is where I found them
After years of faithful service Red Cleveland 2 found itself absorbed into the County Durham, Teesside Cumbria and Northumbria branch of the British Red Cross. In the passing of time the original red stripe made way for the yellow stripe with red piping. The BRCS roundel logo was changed for a more up to date lettering. In 1999 her call sign changed to "Red Alpha 3" and following Redcar getting a newer ambulance she was moved to the Branch HQ at Croft House, Newcastle-upon-tyne. Here she was used for local ambulance events and in this photo is at the Great North Run in 2002. She was sold out of service in 2004.
I also saw on ebay a Lomas 110 based Ambulance as one was offered for sale and the pictures included a close up of the Lomas name plate
I do not have technical details of these vehicles as yet.
Civilian One Ten and Defender Ambulances Back to top
Pre 1990 vehicles (like Katy) are not called Defenders, but there were no significant changes, just the launch of the Discovery so I have not separated them here.There are many ambulances based on the Defender.
Here is what I have found so far
Here is what I have found so far
Land Rover themselves advertised ambulance conversions as can be seen in THIS undated SVO brochure whether they did the work or farmed it out I am not sure
As the One Ten was introduced Pilcher Greene continued offering Ambulances.
This brochure introduces an ambulance based on the "New" one ten series 8303 type "S" ambulance.
The above scans are from my copy. There are other versions of this file available at this excellent site http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6102-1.html
That site also has another brochure http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6008-1.html which shows a Type B (separate cab) and Type F (integrated body) variants
This One Ten mobile dispensary brochure http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6009-1.html offers Type V (separate cab) and Type X (integrated body) variants
I have listed them here in the civilian section because as far as I can tell they were not used by the British forces and I think that is what they were aimed at in the UK, but I have found pictures of them on-line in use by the Turkish and Turkmenistan forces
Glenfrome One Ten Ambulance
Glenfrome of England were renowned high end coach builders who did a number of conversions based on the Range Rover http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials#TOC-Glenfrome-of-England
MMBi One ten Ambulances
St Johns Ambulance use 110 based Defender ambulances. LR Mad reported that The St. John's ambulance service Defender based vehicles have the coachwork conversion was carried out by Macclesfield Motor Bodies International (MMBi). They also report that
At least two batches of very similar vehicles were produced based on the later Defender 130 chassis. The two-piece angular front panel over the cab can be used to identify these vehicles from the earlier 90-110 vehiclesMMBi still offered a fully prepared Defender ambulance on a 130 chassis in 2013, but have apparently gone into liquidation as their companies house page says... Liquidated 30 Jul 2014 and their website has closed down. Mind you the last company name MMB International Blue Light LTD lasted only 2 years as M.M.B. INTERNATIONAL LIMITED went into liquidation 22 October 2012
I did get a copy of a full spec sheet which I don't mind sharing as they are no longer around. I have posted it HERE
Their old facebook page says "The only element left of MMB is the dedicated staff who will continue their skills elsewhere for a dedicated business."
Here is one I saw at the Usk show in Wales in 2013
They also offered Search and Rescue ambulances for mountain and other rescue teams. These were much less modified than a full scale ambulance, but were strengthened and prepared for the role with suitable equipment according to their old website.
There are quite a few pictures of these 110 conversions including a batch of at least 12 Hightop conversions bound for Morocco on their old facebook page
French Ambulance - Durisotti
I found pictures of a French Variety here I have located pictures that describe them as "The Durisotti Land Rover Defender 130 Sanitaire." it is stated that these were used by UNIFIL (The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) and I have located pictures of a brochure.
Guava Defender Ambulances
From their sales blurb
The Land Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon and Defender 130 Chassis Cab are modified to tackle tough medical emergencies. Both are flexible, proven 4x4 heavy-duty platforms, suitable for the world’s most challenging vehicle access requirements and conditions.
They have best in class, exceptional capability, and can operate on the low grade fuels often found in hardship locations.Land Rover’s Approved Vehicle Modifier (AVM) will deliver ambulance solutions to satisfy a wide range of operational needs.The standard fit-outs and options can be combined to meet many specific customer requirements. Bespoke requests can also be accommodated.
Other companies advertise the same ...
RMA group offer a conversion through Guava International
details can be found here http://landrover.guavauk.com/aid-development/vehicle-conversions/ambulances/
110 single stretcher ambulance http://marcomhub.rmagroup.net/wp-content/uploads/Land-Rover-Defender-110-Field-Ambulance.pdf
and a 130 two Stretcher Ambulance http://marcomhub.rmagroup.net/wp-content/uploads/Land-Rover-Defender-130-Field-Ambulance.pdf
Shanning Defender POD Ambulances
Based on a Defender Hi Cap Pick-up a GRP POD back is used as an ambulance for forces in a number of places. The Pod was made by a company called Shanning of Birkhampstead before they were purchased by Ford
After the Gulf War 150 were purchased by the Saudi Arabian Forces with of course Red Crescent rather than Red Cross markings There is a video below regarding the winning of this order the video dates from 1991
it states that "the POD's are providing vital medical support for Red Adare's fire fighting teams in the Kuwaiti Oil fields who are facing increasing risks", They were supplied to China as eye clinics
Shanning POD Mobile Medical units from Simon Burgess on Vimeo.
Other "POD" Ambulances
I have found pictures of a similar design on French land Rovers here
The caption states “Defender 130 Td4-2.4, ambulance de réanimation "Air" ; Centre Médical des Armées de Dijon” If I read the posts correctly the rear doors are from a Renault traffic
Bruno Scherer Entreprise
Based on a Defender Hi Cap Pick-up a GRP POD back is used as an ambulance for forces in a number of places. The Pod was made by a company called Shanning of Birkhampstead before they were purchased by Ford
After the Gulf War 150 were purchased by the Saudi Arabian Forces with of course Red Crescent rather than Red Cross markings There is a video below regarding the winning of this order the video dates from 1991
it states that "the POD's are providing vital medical support for Red Adare's fire fighting teams in the Kuwaiti Oil fields who are facing increasing risks", They were supplied to China as eye clinics
Shanning POD Mobile Medical units from Simon Burgess on Vimeo.
Other "POD" Ambulances
The caption states “Defender 130 Td4-2.4, ambulance de réanimation "Air" ; Centre Médical des Armées de Dijon” If I read the posts correctly the rear doors are from a Renault traffic
Bruno Scherer Entreprise
A French company BSE do two conversions of Land
Rovers into Ambulances
Their website (in French) states
Located in the Basque
Country, the company B.S.E. specializes in the design of special vehicles
tailored to different types of use such as ambulances
With our 20 years of
experience we are known for our dynamism and our constant quest for innovation.
Our motivation:
Creating a partnership and maintain a trusting relationship with our customers.
That's why we now offer you our selection of 18 essential references of medical
equipment.
Our commitment: Always offer quality products
certified to meet all your needs.
“Vive innovation”
Bruno Scherer
MAF (Mariani Alfredo & Son)
Formerly MAF Mariani Alfredo & Figlio are a firm of Italian Ambulance manufacturers based in Pistoia (near Florence)
They have made vehicles based on the Range Rover and the Defender and have images of those on their website http://www.mafveicolispeciali.com/storia.html
http://www.mafveicolispeciali.com/gallery_new.php?a=land_rover&b=defender&c=
Stanford Coachbuilders
On http://www.stanfordcoachworks.co.uk/vehicles/land-rover-conversions/ offer Land Rover Defender Conversions as Ambulances since 2011
Range Rover Ambulances Back to top
There have been quite a number of Range Rover conversions. Some of these have been done by the same companies as the Land Rover conversions described above. These are very well documented on the Range Rover Classic website and also some good stuff on LR Mad so there is no point in repeating it here. I am therefore including just some of the main links to that site and any related information I have come across
.
Emil Frey
http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials#TOC-Emil-Frey-ambulance---Swiss-conversion
Heinel Specialbilar
http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials#TOC-Heinel-Specialbilar-AB-Malm-Sweden---ambulance-conversion
Herbert Lomas
These have the distinctive curved line up from the windscreen to the roof that shows the heritage comes right from the earlier Series Ambulances described above
http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials#TOC-Herbert-Lomas-Ltd---ambulance-conversion
http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials/herbert-lomas-ltd---uk
Pilcher Green who have featured so much in this article are once again present in offering this Range Rover ambulance in two variants http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/list/6095-1.html
It is noted in Commercial Vehicle Magazine 24th Sept 1976 that they exhibited at Earls Court Motor Show
The Range Rover conversion is constructed on a lengthened wheelbase chassis which uses the standard 3.5 litre (21 4cuin) V8 power unit and standard running gear. Aluminium alloy sections with grp roof and side panels are used for the body construction and the double opening rear doors have a 1 .4m (57in) access aperture. A translucent panel is fitted in the roof. Accommodation is provided for four seated patients and one stretcher patient.
http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials#TOC-Pilcher-Greene-Ltd---ambulance-conversion
https://picasaweb.google.com/117301188677349270809/1973RRPilcherGreene?authkey=Gv1sRgCKbtqdjCkba9Aw
Spencer Abbot & Co
A 1971 prototype and a pair of 1972 brochures get a write up on http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials/spencer-abbott-co-ltd---uk but it does state that few were ever built
They state that Spencer Abbott had cooperated over many years in conjunction with Land-Rover and their Special Projects Department, and had a long experience in conversion building, which is confirmed from the information on Land Rovers above.
They state that YXC999K was developed and taken to a medical exhibition in Switzerland in 1971. The Range Rover Spencer Abbott ambulance stayed in the Land-Rover's conversion catalogue for several years,
And that even though the ambulances were never popular, the production of the extension conversions of the 10 extra inches or more, and the reinforcing of the Range Rover frame already developed for other conversion companies, was given to Spencer Abbott, so they performed well
There is a reproducible press photograph which is shown on that site that which I have obtained another copy of and am therefore able to show here
One has recently (2017) been advertised for sale and provides additional information in the advert which I have permission to repeat and share the pictures: -
One of just six long wheel base high roof conversions carried out by Spencer Abbott on behalf of Land Rover in the early '70s. Conceived as an eight seat station wagon, three of those conversions were built as ambulances. VIN 355-04063A, was one of these.
It is believed that this example was built on the 18th May 1972 and used as a demonstrator by Land Rover themselves for approximately seven months. Although unregistered until 1997, it was subsequently purchased by Stratford upon Avon St. John's Ambulance in early 1973 where it has remained until very recently. .
Wadham Stringer
Wadham Stringer Ltd of Waterlooville, Hampshire, UK were the first company to convert a Range Rover to the classic ambulance type, as they in 1971 used the pre-production YVB 158H (chassis number 35500010A) as a base for the coach building. See also First Military Range Rover above for an even earlier one completed from a later chassis that did not go into production
The Wadham Stringer conversion received Land-Rover approval and they were in production from 1971 to the mid-1980's. Wadham Stringer Range Rover ambulances were sold both on the civilian market as well to the military customers
As for Pilcher Green above, it is noted in Commercial Vehicle Magazine 24th Sept 1976 that they exhibited at Earls Court Motor Show
AN AMBULANCE conversion of the Range Rover by Wadham Stringer is displayed on the Leyland Rover stand. The wheelbase of the Range Rover is extended by 254mm (10in) which gives the vehicle an overall length of 5.0m (16ft 6in). To achieve the necessary height, a lightweight metal framework is fitted which is covered with grp and aluminium panels. The interior is lined with plastic laminate. Panel cavities are filled with thermal insulation. A Ouralunnin floor panel is used with moulded grp wheelboxes on a mild steel underframe which is insulated from the chassis with rubberised mountings.
The model shown is a single-stretcher type which features one Wadham Stringer Reasac stretcher trolley with the option of either two high-back seats or a bench seat on the other side.
When the two stretcher layout is specified the vehicle comes with a compartment between the cab and rear section.
The standard Range Rover V8 power unit is retained which produces 97kW (1 30bhp) at 5,000rpm. Disc brakes are fitted all round.
There are some details here http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials#TOC-Wadham-Stringer-Ltd---ambulance-conversion and here http://www.lr-mad.co.uk/en/ambulance
S.M.C. Engineering (Bristol) Ltd
As per a 1984 brochure from SMC which stands for Sandringham Motor Company which came available on ebay at an outrageous price
SAHARA SIX ELLGEE
- LUXURY COMMAND POST
- AMBULANCE
- PERSONNEL CARRIER
This all aluminium coach built bodied version is available in both 6x6 and 6x4 configuration. It comes with an 8", 10" or 14" extended high top roof, and a choice of side opening or up and over rear doors. Sahara Six is also available in chassis cowl, chassis cab, van, pick-up and luxury saloon form.
More information on SMC at http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials/s-m-c-engineering-ltd---uk
New Zealand Range Rover Ambulances
There are pictures of a number of new Zealand Range Rover ambulances here
http://www.111emergency.co.nz/j-m/MilitaryAmb.htm
There isn't much information to go with them other than the fact that they are marked "Royal New Zealand Air Force". Given they are white not camouflaged These will have been airfield vehicles
http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials#TOC-Pilcher-Greene-Ltd---ambulance-conversion
https://picasaweb.google.com/117301188677349270809/1973RRPilcherGreene?authkey=Gv1sRgCKbtqdjCkba9Aw
Spencer Abbot & Co
A 1971 prototype and a pair of 1972 brochures get a write up on http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials/spencer-abbott-co-ltd---uk but it does state that few were ever built
They state that Spencer Abbott had cooperated over many years in conjunction with Land-Rover and their Special Projects Department, and had a long experience in conversion building, which is confirmed from the information on Land Rovers above.
They state that YXC999K was developed and taken to a medical exhibition in Switzerland in 1971. The Range Rover Spencer Abbott ambulance stayed in the Land-Rover's conversion catalogue for several years,
And that even though the ambulances were never popular, the production of the extension conversions of the 10 extra inches or more, and the reinforcing of the Range Rover frame already developed for other conversion companies, was given to Spencer Abbott, so they performed well
One has recently (2017) been advertised for sale and provides additional information in the advert which I have permission to repeat and share the pictures: -
One of just six long wheel base high roof conversions carried out by Spencer Abbott on behalf of Land Rover in the early '70s. Conceived as an eight seat station wagon, three of those conversions were built as ambulances. VIN 355-04063A, was one of these.
It is believed that this example was built on the 18th May 1972 and used as a demonstrator by Land Rover themselves for approximately seven months. Although unregistered until 1997, it was subsequently purchased by Stratford upon Avon St. John's Ambulance in early 1973 where it has remained until very recently. .
Wadham Stringer
Wadham Stringer Ltd of Waterlooville, Hampshire, UK were the first company to convert a Range Rover to the classic ambulance type, as they in 1971 used the pre-production YVB 158H (chassis number 35500010A) as a base for the coach building. See also First Military Range Rover above for an even earlier one completed from a later chassis that did not go into production
The Wadham Stringer conversion received Land-Rover approval and they were in production from 1971 to the mid-1980's. Wadham Stringer Range Rover ambulances were sold both on the civilian market as well to the military customers
As for Pilcher Green above, it is noted in Commercial Vehicle Magazine 24th Sept 1976 that they exhibited at Earls Court Motor Show
AN AMBULANCE conversion of the Range Rover by Wadham Stringer is displayed on the Leyland Rover stand. The wheelbase of the Range Rover is extended by 254mm (10in) which gives the vehicle an overall length of 5.0m (16ft 6in). To achieve the necessary height, a lightweight metal framework is fitted which is covered with grp and aluminium panels. The interior is lined with plastic laminate. Panel cavities are filled with thermal insulation. A Ouralunnin floor panel is used with moulded grp wheelboxes on a mild steel underframe which is insulated from the chassis with rubberised mountings.
The model shown is a single-stretcher type which features one Wadham Stringer Reasac stretcher trolley with the option of either two high-back seats or a bench seat on the other side.
When the two stretcher layout is specified the vehicle comes with a compartment between the cab and rear section.
The standard Range Rover V8 power unit is retained which produces 97kW (1 30bhp) at 5,000rpm. Disc brakes are fitted all round.
There are some details here http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials#TOC-Wadham-Stringer-Ltd---ambulance-conversion and here http://www.lr-mad.co.uk/en/ambulance
S.M.C. Engineering (Bristol) Ltd
SAHARA SIX ELLGEE
- LUXURY COMMAND POST
- AMBULANCE
- PERSONNEL CARRIER
This all aluminium coach built bodied version is available in both 6x6 and 6x4 configuration. It comes with an 8", 10" or 14" extended high top roof, and a choice of side opening or up and over rear doors. Sahara Six is also available in chassis cowl, chassis cab, van, pick-up and luxury saloon form.
More information on SMC at http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials/s-m-c-engineering-ltd---uk
I have not located any information on a built ambulance or any still on the road as yet.
New Zealand Range Rover Ambulances
There are pictures of a number of new Zealand Range Rover ambulances here
http://www.111emergency.co.nz/j-m/MilitaryAmb.htm
There isn't much information to go with them other than the fact that they are marked "Royal New Zealand Air Force". Given they are white not camouflaged These will have been airfield vehicles
Civilian Discovery Ambulances
100 inch versions
Modern Discovery vehicles are commonly used as fast response paramedic vehicles which don't carry patients. There are some night shots of one of these outside our house on one one of my posts http://landroverkaty.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/crash.html one is repeated here
From the sight I had of this specific vehicle I think this was built by MMBi (see notes about liquidation in 110 section above) were manufacturers of Discovery ambulances which despite their smaller size than a 130 are capable of taking a patient on a stretcher
James Taylor in Land Rover Discovery: 25 Years of the Family 4 x 4 reports that land Rover Special Vehicle Operations had oversight of all conversions at this time. He reports that it was not unusual for owners to “self convert” at reduced cost
116 inch versions
James Taylor in Land Rover Discovery: 25 Years of the Family 4 x 4 reports that extended 116 inch versions of discoveries were turned into ambulances.
His book contains pictures of both 3 door and 5 door prototypes. The three door was the first to be demonstrated and went on show in 1991. He gives details of how this conversion was made, and that 6 of this design were purchased by Northumberland Ambulance Service before a new roof design was introduced
He reports that 10x3 door and 5x5 door of these vehicles were known to be manufactured overall
One of the Northumberland vehicles came up for sale in 2016. With these comments
There is a video of the siren running at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-kf7LbE4yg#t=24
Bruno Scherer Entreprise
Civilian Freelander Ambulances
Despite it's smaller size the Freelander has also been used as an ambulance. Like the Discovery above it's typically used as a paramedic vehicle rather than for carrying patients
"Current" Approved Vehicle Modifiers Back to top
Land Rover Discovery Sport Rapid Response
Discovery 5 Red Cross car
In 2017 I wrote about something I called "close to an ambulance", a Red Cross vehicle under development by Land Rover referred to at the time as the Project Hero concept car.. well it certainly looked impressive in 2018 when i wrote about it again here is just one picture because it may not be a full ambulance, but it's certainly worth listing
100 inch versions
Modern Discovery vehicles are commonly used as fast response paramedic vehicles which don't carry patients. There are some night shots of one of these outside our house on one one of my posts http://landroverkaty.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/crash.html one is repeated here
From the sight I had of this specific vehicle I think this was built by MMBi (see notes about liquidation in 110 section above) were manufacturers of Discovery ambulances which despite their smaller size than a 130 are capable of taking a patient on a stretcher
James Taylor in Land Rover Discovery: 25 Years of the Family 4 x 4 reports that land Rover Special Vehicle Operations had oversight of all conversions at this time. He reports that it was not unusual for owners to “self convert” at reduced cost
116 inch versions
James Taylor in Land Rover Discovery: 25 Years of the Family 4 x 4 reports that extended 116 inch versions of discoveries were turned into ambulances.
His book contains pictures of both 3 door and 5 door prototypes. The three door was the first to be demonstrated and went on show in 1991. He gives details of how this conversion was made, and that 6 of this design were purchased by Northumberland Ambulance Service before a new roof design was introduced
He reports that 10x3 door and 5x5 door of these vehicles were known to be manufactured overall
One of the Northumberland vehicles came up for sale in 2016. With these comments
The 116" Discovery is very rare in the Land Rover world (as I believe less than 15 were produced), and J140 is the 3 door prototype. Land Rover Special Vehicles Operations (SVO) made two prototypes, a 3 door and a 5 door. This first vehicle was built around February 1991. It was shown at Ambex ‘91 (the ambulance services exhibition) that August and was registered on 28 August by Land Rover. Full details of J140 OAC are documented in James Taylor's book "Land Rover Discovery: 25 Years of the Family 4 x 4".
LR SVO lengthened the chassis by 16" in the centre of the chassis frame, a longer window was inserted between the doors and the rear side window. J140 is the only one with the Land Rover oval in the frosted rear side glass, it became the SVO demonstrator and was originally painted in Northumbria Ambulance Service livery. Later given a high roof, from 1997 it belonged to the St John’s Ambulance. I bought it in 2011 and have done very few miles in the last few years.
There is a video of the siren running at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-kf7LbE4yg#t=24
Bruno Scherer Entreprise
This firm described above under Defenders also do a Discovery Ambulance. These photographs from their website are from a Discovery 3 and therefore date between
Despite it's smaller size the Freelander has also been used as an ambulance. Like the Discovery above it's typically used as a paramedic vehicle rather than for carrying patients
"Current" Approved Vehicle Modifiers Back to top
Land Rover Discovery Sport Rapid Response
A number of ambulance forces have reported from 2016 onwards purchasing
the Discovery sport as an RRV since it’s launch. It is the successor to and
replaces the Freelander in it’s use
In 2017 I wrote about something I called "close to an ambulance", a Red Cross vehicle under development by Land Rover referred to at the time as the Project Hero concept car.. well it certainly looked impressive in 2018 when i wrote about it again here is just one picture because it may not be a full ambulance, but it's certainly worth listing
General References that may be of interest
http://www.landroveraddict.com/features/2012/1/25/1955/
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=35082
http://www.lr-mad.co.uk/en/component/content/category/44-emergency-vehicles
http://www.lr-mad.co.uk/en/ambulance
http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/special-ambulance.html
http://www.oocities.org/guide2landrover/ambulances.html
http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/brochures.html
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=35082
http://www.lr-mad.co.uk/en/component/content/category/44-emergency-vehicles
http://www.lr-mad.co.uk/en/ambulance
http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/show/special-ambulance.html
http://www.oocities.org/guide2landrover/ambulances.html
http://landrover.vlothuizen.nl/brochures.html
More an example, Land Rover Series III 109 Ibis Ambulance
ReplyDeletehttp://forum.landmania.pt/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19342
See also LRM edition of October/2011 and January/2012.
Hi Antonio
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the information on these, I had not yet found that manufacturer.
I have added some information and some more links I have found with information about the company to this page. If you read this please let me know if it would be OK to include some of your pictures here as I am unlikely to be able to get to photograph one of these vehicles in the near future
Regards
Andy
Hi there . . . I just picked up my first LR and was trying to find some information on it
ReplyDeleteIt appears to have been an ambulance, given the plate:
AMBULANCE, 2/4 STRETCHER, LHD 4x4, ROVER 9
CHASSIS No.: 25413340B
CONT. No.: WV/3315
CODE No.: 750001-51-991
COVERED BY CES No.: P/33572/2
And, photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/123449452@N02/sets/72157644075559013/
So it looks like an Ex-Military that was made for Export . . . I'd love to track down where it is from. Do you have any thoughts or ideas on how to do this?
Cheers!
Dave
Hi David. Nice set of pictures and a very nice vehicle
ReplyDeleteThe experts in military Land Rovers are EMLRA so you may want to register on that site and ask the same questions. take a look here http://forum.emlra.org/viewforum.php?f=25 but most of the advice there is about things that were used in the UK Army so they may not be able to help
From what I know it looks the right type (2A) to be classified as Rover 9, but I can't see how something that size was ever a 4 stretcher ambulance so either that term was used loosely, or it has been re-bodied.
interestingly someone has posted with the same CONT No as you on the HMV forum. it may be worth joining there to see if he had any further information http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?37717-New-to-the-HMVF
Chassis number should be traceable back at land Rover, it may be worth asking for help from the Gaydon Museum who now have the archive.
CONT no is the contract number that the vehicle was ordered under. from your chassis number Calvin says it was built for export
254 Model: Land Rover, Series IIA
Body type: Basic
Wheel base: 109in
Engine: petrol
Model years: 1962-1971
Destination: Export, left-hand drive (LHD)
13340 Serial number
B Design: One significant design modification
Suffix used from March 1963 till April 1966
CES is a kit number. There are many pages about this and posts on forums - it was what the driver had to check before going on service and other things to check
There are a lot of people out there that are better than me on this so good luck and if you do find out more please pop back as I would love to add another section on these export land rovers in the pages above (and borrow your pictures if appropriate)
Regards
Andy
Thanks for the help! Feel free to use the pictures if you'd like.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering how to fit four stretchers in there m'self, BTW.
Hi john, thanks for the information. It's always useful when someone with firsthand experience posts as there is a lot of misinformed stuff documented. If you had any pictures you would be willing to share you can contact me via the contact form (top right) and I can send you back a real email address
ReplyDeleteIn the mean time many thanks anyways
Regards
Andy
Hi. I am interested in more information about the Shanning Pod. I tried finding more information about the build but nothing is online except the video on Vimeo. I have one and I am restoring it to a campervan. Do you have any reference to any contacts who have any more info about the company or the pod?!
ReplyDeleteHi and thanks for the question, but I am sorry I do not have any other information about them. One came up on ebay a while ago (it may be the one you have) and I downloaded the pictures at the time for my own personal research, but there was no other useful details I managed to find. Good luck and if you do find anything please feel free to leave another comment or send me an email via the contact form (useful if we want to share pictures either way)
ReplyDeleteRegards
Andy
Peciosa infomación, mi Land over pick up es 1962, Serie 2 A y mi Discovey es 1996...saludos afectuosos !
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeletei am impressed about the immense collection on information about Land Rover ambulances! Thanks for sharing this!!
Since some time, I am owning a series III Marshall Ambulance, equipped with the 2,25l diesel engine.
In contrast to the V8 engine, this is a rather slow engine for the quite heavy truck.
As this is even dangerous to drive on todays motorways (especially in germany), i am considering a change of the engine towards a 200TDI.
Do you know if the series III models were also equipped with other engines then the 2 1/4 diesel ?
best regards,
thomas
P.S.: you can find my ambulance on http://landygarage.de
Hi, with regard to civilian Discovery ambulances, Land Rover SVO produced a number of patient carrying single stretcher vehicles for UK ambulance services based on the 200TDi Discovery. Here's a photo of one such in service with Derbyshire Ambulance Service: https://imgsrv.pickworth-uk.net/lr/other/disco01.jpg
ReplyDeleteregards
Alastair G