GPA Swim in, Corowa, 2007

2007 GPA Swim in and Military Vehicle Rally

This report and photos are from Richard G (member 129) who travelled up to Corowa with his Wife Rebecca in their Series 3 from Tasmania for the 2007 event.

On Tuesday we set off for the 100 km trip to catch the ferry to victoria, bound for Corowa, NSW for the GPA swim in. Also in convoy with us was a willys jeep, a slat grille Willys on a trailer and a troopy whose owner is doing up a white scout car.

The boat trip was pretty uneventfull, however the drive out of melbourne was .... ummm .... interesting . We hit the western ring road at about 8:15 am on a wednesday morning, peak hour, and lots of stop starting traffic. not really an issue except that when I pulled up to a stop, the engine would stall . We stopped at campbellfield for some breakie and screwed the idle speed out a bit, and no problems since then. Onwards through the day, and roll on 2:00 that afternoon and we were setting up camp at the Caravan park. Already there were quite a few vehicles there, however they would steadily increase in numbers over the next few days.

Thursday saw a trip to Tooles disposals in Wodonga, and then on to the Museum at Bandiana. Tools is an incredible store, not so much a disposals store, as a museum where the stuff is for sale (although usually at quite a price). Bandiana was similarly incredible, but nothing was for sale . I had contacted Major Docksey previous to my trip and asked if I could record and photograph their collection of Land Rovers for REMLR, which he agreed to, and said to ask for him when I arrived. After a quick chat with the Major he grabbed a CPL who took me out to the storage shed for a look around.

From there is was off on the clark tow motor to the workshop where the current projects, including 2 Bren Gun Carriers were underway, as well as more storage. Amongs the vehicles there was a 2A workshop vehicle, a 101 that was used as a rapier tractor, and the prototype 6x6 Perentie. Back to the museums storage yard beside the museum to check out the S2 ambulance, S3 GS and S2 and 2A wreckers parked in their yard.

Inside the museum was quite a collection of bits and pieces. I could have taken home so many vehicles, although Rebecca quite tool a liking to the Moke, as well as the Haflinger, although the Moke was defenitely a favorite. Whilst I was getting chassis numbers and taking photographs a bloke approached me and asked what on earth I was doing, I guess I did look a bit suspicious, and I was trying to get teh job done as fast as possible so that I could have time to look around as well. as it was we didn't have any lunch untill almost 3:30 that afternoon. Turns out that blike Was Neale D, one of our newest members, who was also taking notes on the Gunbuggy for reference details for his own vehicle.

Friday saw a trip to Toucomuwl (spelling) Airbase where I thought was an aircraft museum. more accurate would have been airfield museum. At the time when the Brisbane line had been decided as the fall back to defend Australia from the japanise invasion (a line from Brisbane to Melbourne), this airbase was built in 5 weeks as a bomber base in the line of defence. However the US airforce only used it for a month or 2 when it was obvious that the invasion wasn't happening. Whilst the wooden structure was impressive, they have a lot to do before they will really attract people to have a look there. More aircraft on display would be a good way to achieve this, or even start a restoration workshop.

Saturday in many way's was the big day. The parade and Swap meet were this day. The parade was pretty smooth, and we even had a Harvvard fly in for the line up of vehicles at the airport. The swap meet was something to behold. I was amazed at the ammount of NOS parts there for sale. I managed to find some wingnuts for my gardening tool brackets, and 2 NOS mirrors for one of my vehicles. arms included. That afternoon we all had a bit of a rest, as we were all nackered.

Sunday was the day to head back to melbourne to catch the boat. we had to be carefull with timing though as there was not really any parking in town due to the F1 at Albert park. We were going to stop at the Tank museum at Puckapunyal on the way back, however despite the assurances of one of the members in our party, we arrived to find that it isn't open on weekends. not hapy jan. So we stopped in at Seymore for a bit of a rest and headed back to catch the boat and head home.

This vehicle started life as a Series 3 FFR, and ended it's life fitted with a tall hard top for testing electronic equipment. At the time of visiting this vehicle was in storage.	This is a Series 2 Wrecker conversion.
Another view of the Series 2 Wrecker	This is a Series 3 GS	The Series 3 GS parked beside the Series 2A Wrecker conversion.
This Series 2A Wrecker conversion is vehicle 176-310, is another very similar conversion to the one carried out on the Series 2.	This recovery trailer is also currently hitched to the vehicle	A rear view of the conversion showing it's unusual canopy, and fitting of a radio.
This vehicle is another with plates fitted which don't match it's original registration. In this case it was a case of fitting what plates of the correct period were available.	This vehicles Registration number whilst in service was in fact 112-227. The unit markings that you see here signify one of the 4 ambulances sent to Vietnam.	The interior is very complete.
Under the bonnet.	A close up photograph showing the cage around the vehicle's red light.	This vehicle started life as a Series 3 FFR, and ended it's life fitted with a tall hard top for testing electronic equipment
A series 2a ambulance in storage.	This ambulance, ARN 112-238 is painted in white for use by a United Nations Contingent in Rawanda. As far as we know it never made the trip.	This 101 General Service vehicle is one used by the Australian Army to tow Rapier Missles.
As only 58 of these vehicles were bought by the Army, the Museum believes it is one of the few original vehicles left in the country.	113-877 is a S2A Workshop vehicle which is currently in storage.	This Perentie is in fact the prototype 6x6 Perentie. Some differences between this vehicle and the production vehicles include the shorter cab and windscreen.
172-436 is the original ARN for this Series 2A Long Range Patrol Vehicle.	The extra fittings on the LRPV's Dashboard.	A rear view showing the Roll Over Protection Stsrem (ROPS) and custom tailgate.
A view of the front suspension showing the helper springs.	A underneath view looking at the rear axle.	This is an Early Series 2a still in the Deep Bronze Olive colour that was the standard before experience at vietnam changed the fleet colour to olive drab.
This is one of the Specially converted "Gunbuggies". Officially designated as a Carrier, 106mm RCL.	The data plate on the vehicles 106 mm Recoilless Rifle.	This Series 2 SWB is one that has been set up to teach apprentices about the vehicles and features a number of cutaway sections.
This vehicles original arn was 111-225	Cutaways of the gearbox and transfer case. THe transmission can all turn through an electric motor attached to the vehicle. The button to start it can be seen on the left of the bulkhead.	Cutaways showing the engines components.
This Series 3 started life as a Series 3 General Service with the ARN of 29-258. It was the first of the series 3 vehicles to be covnerted to a Ceremonial vehicle and features a holden engine, automatic gearbox and an LPG conversion, and a high gloss paint finish.	A rear view of the vehicle showing it's custom tailgate.	This is the Gun and Limber on the Series 2A ceremonial Conversion ARN 177-844
This is one of the Perentie vehicles that took part in the acceptance trials for the Army.	Project Perentie sticker.	The information about this vehicle.
A series 2a Workshop vehicle.	Although without it's canopy, it appears to be a very complete vehicle.	This General Service Series 2A has some unusual accessories for convoy protection duty in Vietnam. A machine gun mount in the tub, and a wire cutter to protect the gunner from wires strung across the road.
A Series 2a General service, configured for convoy protection work, most likely in Vietnam.	A (fuzzy) detail shot of the wire cutters brace on the firewall.	And bolted to the Bush Bar.
174-697 is a Series 1 Ceremonial vehicle.	Only a very few were made, originally for a visit by the Queen Mother to Australia in 1958.