SASR S2A LRPV Disposal Auctions

[Tommy]

The following has been prepared for REMLR archiving and general information.

This list shows the known disposal auction dates and LRPVs that were up for sale. It appears that the early Mk1 LRPVs were sold off sparingly over a period of eighteen years beginning 1973 through 1991. The majority of Mk2s appear to have been disposed of between January 1991 and Jan 1992. The Mk3 LRPVs were in the last of the auctions in 1992.

From discussions I have had with people who attended the later 1990/92 auctions, many LRPVs remained unsold due to their original high reserve price of $2000. At the same auctions, standard GS Land Rovers were selling for around $1000 to $1500 depending on condition. The LRPVs that were in better than average condition did sell including my LRPV 174-323 which had been fully refurbished prior to auction. Those that remained unsold were the battered examples and were subsequently placed into the next disposal sales until sold. These below average example eventually sold for as little as $500 after the removal of the reserve price.


The following information lists the first auction through to the last. Also shown are LRPV ARN and Mk that sold at each auction. The LRPVs that are shown as (Mk?) prior to 30 Jan 1991 auction are most probably Mk1 type.

1973, 14 May : 178-199 (Mk1 prototype)

1977, 28 Oct : 178-190 (Mk1)

1980, 20 June : 174-288 (Mk?)

1981, 19 Oct : 178-434 (Mk?)

1983, 2 Nov : 112-018 (Mk1) + 114-367 (Mk1) + 178-442 (Mk1)

1983, 24 Nov : 113-890 (Mk?) + 174-765 (Mk1) + 178-187 (Mk1)

1984, 16 Oct : 112-977 (Mk?)

1985, 3 Sept : 178-456 (Mk1)

1987, 4 Dec : 178-417 (Mk1)

1990, 30 Sept : 113-657 (Mk1)

1991, 30 Jan : 178-181 (Mk?) + 178-186 (Mk?) + 178-192 (Mk?) + 178-202 (Mk2) + 178-204 (Mk3) + 178-208 (Mk?) + 178-209 (Mk2)

1991, 5 May : 178-203 (Mk?)

1991, 23 July : 174-713 (Mk?)

1991, 17 OCT : 179-520 (Mk2 late 2A)

1992, 8 Jan : 178-191 (Mk1) + 174-323 (Mk2) + 179-500 (Mk2 late S2A) + 179-502 (Mk2 late S2A) + 180-899 (Mk2 late S2A) + 172-436 (Mk3) + 178-432 (Mk3) + 175-196 (Mk3)

1992, 13 Mar : 178-206 (Mk2) + 175-170 (Mk3) + 176-309 (Mk3) + 178-183 (Mk3) + 178-205 (Mk3)

The following photo (stitched from two images) was taken sometime in 1991/92 at Irwin Barracks (Karrakatta), Mt Claremont. It shows eight LRPVs awaiting disposal. I have prepared an illustration showing the position and ARNs of all but one LRPV. 





The following two photos were taken at Palmer Barracks, South Guildford and show most of the LRPVs that were present at the Karrakatta auction (in the photo above). These LRPVs were awaiting transportation to the DoAS yard, Karrakatta.

Photo #1 showing 176-309 face on to camera.



Photo #2





These disposal auctions that involve LRPVs are an ongoing research project for me. As I gather more information I will update this thread.

[Chazza]

The following two photos were taken at Palmer Barracks, South Guildford and show most of the LRPVs that were present at the Karrakatta auction (in the photo above). Unfortunately, I am unable to determine whether these LRPVs were awaiting transportation to the Karrakatta auction or whether they had been moved to Palmer Barracks due to the fact that they did not sell. Either way, the photo was most probably taken immediately before or after the Karrakatta auction.

Stuart,
I used to regularly drive to 51 Supply Bn - most probably called Palmer Barracks but I never noticed the name - to pick up loan vehicles for the two of the ARes units I served with; this would have been in the years 1981 to "86. Probably around about 1984, was when I saw a clutch of LRPV's and the L/Rover Wreckers parked rather forlornly on the eastern edge of the vehicle park. The LRPV's may have been driven back there from Karakatta but it seems unlikely to me, unless there was a going to be a considerable delay until the next auction.

Are you sure that the first photo you posted is actually at Irwin Barracks (no such place as "Karakatta Barracks" - not then anyway)? I attended an auction at the Dept of Adminstrative Supply, which was next door to Irwin barracks on the south-western edge. A mate of mine worked for them and they handled anything disposed of by the Federal Govt in WA,

Cheers Charlie

PS My cobber might remember details about LRPV's - would you like me to contact him?

[master chief]

Nice work Tommy,

This will/has already become an excellent info thread, I hope that someone is able to save the LRPV's that are on Roosters post, would certainly bring the saved numbers up.

I Notice the ARN plates are still on the LRPV's at auction did they sell them with the vehicles?.

MC

[Tommy]

Stuart,
I used to regularly drive to 51 Supply Bn - most probably called Palmer Barracks but I never noticed the name - to pick up loan vehicles for the two of the ARes units I served with; this would have been in the years 1981 to "86. Probably around about 1984, was when I saw a clutch of LRPV's and the L/Rover Wreckers parked rather forlornly on the eastern edge of the vehicle park. The LRPV's may have been driven back there from Karakatta but it seems unlikely to me, unless there was a going to be a considerable delay until the next auction.

Are you sure that the first photo you posted is actually at Irwin Barracks (no such place as "Karakatta Barracks" - not then anyway)? I attended an auction at the Dept of Adminstrative Supply, which was next door to Irwin barracks on the south-western edge. A mate of mine worked for them and they handled anything disposed of by the Federal Govt in WA,

Cheers Charlie

PS My cobber might remember details about LRPV's - would you like me to contact him?

G'day Charlie

Yes, you are correct in saying that 'Karrakatta Barracks' is infact Irwin Barracks. As a local (raised in Wembley Downs), I have always referred to Irwin as Karrakatta. Everyone knows where Karrakatta is . I have made the correction in my first post.

I remember viewing dozens and dozens of S2A Land Rovers (and taking one for a drive ) at 51 Supply Btn (Palmer Barracks) back in the early 80's. Prior to auction, army vehicles of all types were assembled at the barracks, given a mechanical 'once over' and sent to Karrakatta for disposal.

The disposal yard at Karrakatta (located next to Irwin Barracks) was bordered by Stubbs Tce, Alfred Rd and Quintilian Rd. This large yard had three WW2 Bellman hangers in which equipment was stored and undercover auctions conducted. This yard has since been levelled and turned into a housing estate. Remains of the hangers can be seen sitting on a property on Ranford Rd, Harrisdale and at Brajkovich Demolition & Salvage yard, Upper Swan.

This photo taken in 1969 shows the three hangers in the yard. Irwin Barracks can be seen in the background. The photo of eight LRPVs (first photo) was definately taken at the DoAS yard, Karrakatta. If you look immediately above the ROPS bar on the LRPV in the foreground, you will notice the concrete posts (located on a raised embankment) for the purpose of suspending electrical cable on the Perth to Fremantle train line. Note rail line in photo. The corregated building in the background (in the same photo) would be the end of the long thin shed you see at the tip of the arrow.



Can you contact your mate about the LRPVs. He may have some photos or other information to help me with my research.

[Tommy]

Nice work Tommy,

This will/has already become an excellent info thread, I hope that someone is able to save the LRPV's that are on Roosters post, would certainly bring the saved numbers up.

I Notice the ARN plates are still on the LRPV's at auction did they sell them with the vehicles?.

MC

G'day Chief

The LRPVs shown in the two photos taken at Palmer Barracks were awaiting transportation to the DoAS disposal sale. The ARN plates would have been removed at Palmer Barracks as the same vehicles did not have them when photographed at Karrakatta.

Mt Barnett LRPVs would require enormous effort and finances to recover. I have viewed high res photos which show extensive rust and deterioration .

178-205 has front diff, engine and gearbox missing. Floor, tunnel and seatbox removed. Looks to have been used as a donor vehicle. Deteriorated state of repair.

178-206 is the only LRPV on all four wheels.

178-432 has had all it's wheels removed and is in very bad state of disrepair. Major rust to bulkhead. Side step cut about with gas-axe. Very deteriorated state of repair.

179-500 has no bonnet and engine bay open to the weather. Wheels missing as well. Deteriorated state of repair.

179-502 has no wheels and has been dumped on to another car. Damage to the front LHS wing with possible damage to front end. Dash removed. Deteriorated state of repair.

[Tommy]

At the Karrakatta auction (as shown in my first post) there were two 'wrecker bodied' LRPVs up for disposal. One of these LRPVs was 176-309. We already know 176-309 has a wrecker body/tub as this LRPV exists today in private hands. A mystery 'second' wrecker was also present. I found this second 'wrecker' LRPV from photos I have of this auction. At first I thought both 'wrecker' LRPVs were one and the same as the photos do not show many details of each vehicle. This second 'wrecker' LRPV, as with 176-309, may have been a FFT/FFW as it has no pioneer tool holders on the guards. Interestingly, the wrecker tub did not have tool holders on the bulkhead behind the seats like the FFT/FFW. As 176-309 did not have repositioned holders to it's tub bulkhead (confirmed from photos) and I presume the second 'wrecker' LRPV did not either, we can confidently presume that the pioneer tools were carried in the tub.

The question should be asked...were these LRPVs originally wreckers or were they refitted with wrecker bodies/tubs?

The following photos show the differences between the two LRPVs. It is these differences that confirm that two 'wrecker' LRPVs were at the same auction.

Wrecker LRPV: 176-309

At Palmer Barracks prior to disposal.



At DoAS auction yard, Karrakatta. Note the same 'shield' shaped sticker behind side brush deflection plate and retrofitted rounded Series 3 side guard panels (to both sides).



176-309 (as it is today) showing the 'plated over' original wrecker tub floor winch and hydraulic reservoir tank fixing bolt holes. Question - were these holes 'standard generic' made at time of modification from GS tub to wrecker tub or are they there because wrecker gear has previously been fitted to this tub?



Wrecker LRPV: Unknown ARN

Mystery second 'wrecker' LRPV sitting at Palmer Barracks prior to disposal.



At DoAS yard, Karrakatta. Note these same changes on the LRPV in both photos. Bent back brush bar, 'rare' square metal plate to centre top of bonnet, no 'U' shaped PSP mat holders to front guards, no windscreen, same dark green camouflage patch to bonnet and square cut guards (not rounded as with 309).



 

[Chazza]

Fascinating posts Stuart! What a waste of two wreckers!

I will contact my cobber asap,

Cheers Charlie

[Phoenix]

Looks like I have some more updating to do!!! Thankyou for all of your work Stuart!

[master chief]

Hello All,

Just been looking at the listings on ebay for the Melton collection and noticed that one of the 2A's has chassis number 25307310B, this is listed as originally being from 113-657 an LRPV, it says in the ARN list that the chassis was changed in 1982.

MC

[FFRMAN]

Hello All,

Just been looking at the listings on ebay for the Melton collection and noticed that one of the 2A's has chassis number 25307310B, this is listed as originally being from 113-657 an LRPV, it says in the ARN list that the chassis was changed in 1982.

MC

Interesting. Thanks MC

[Tommy]

Mystery second 'wrecker' LRPV sitting at Palmer Barracks prior to disposal.



At DoAS yard, Karrakatta. Note these same changes on the LRPV in both photos. Bent back brush bar, 'rare' square metal plate to centre top of bonnet, no 'U' shaped PSP mat holders to front guards, no windscreen, same dark green camouflage patch to bonnet and square cut guards (not rounded as with 309).

Update: The mystery wrecker has now been identified as 176-307. LRPV ARN list will need to be updated 

Both LRPV 'Wreckers' can be seen together in this photo. 176-307 is on the left and 176-309 is on the right.