Series IIA 109": Deep penetration SOV (1969)
If you are regular at the shows you are likely to have seen for yourself this well travelled example of the SAS prepared Long Range Patrol Vehicle. Marshalls of Cambridge converted this Series IIA in 1968 to Special Forces' military specification. The list of special features is extensive and more fully described in the narrative attaching to our other equivalent (MIL 02).
This is one of 72 like vehicles maintained by the Hereford Regiment at the time. Their camouflage was regularly adapted for a given deployment. However this fleet of SOV's (Special Operation Vehicles) soon acquired the familiar nickname by the Regiment as "Pinkies" or "Pink Panthers". This names harks back to the 'all-over' pink paint job that was developed when on dessert operation having been found to offer the most effective dessert camouflage, particularly at each end of daylight hours.
More InfoWe have a genuinely (dessert prepared) pink 'Pink Panther' elsewhere in the collection so this exhibit is presented as it would have been prepared for operations in other territories. We have not sought to sanitise its appearance in any way so as to provide a genuine representation of how it would have looked when in active service. All such vehicles had a colourful life. 10 FG 34 has given unbroken service to 22 Regiment from 1968 until retired in 1984. It was used in many of the World's horror spots. These include Belize (South America), Oman (Middle East) and Kenya (Africa) together, we are told, with other combat operations the details of which have never been shared with the public.
This vehicle certainly turned heads when it first arrived in our sleepy Somerset village. Perhaps we should have made it clear beforehand that the hardware that it carries has is fully certified as having been decommissioned. Well, at least that is what we have been advised to say .... !
Click on the thumbnail below to read about our 'pink' equivalent.
Part of:
Series II/IIA
Military Rovers
The Collection
Vehicle Owner: Land Rover Heritage Collection
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