Registry of Ex Military Land Rovers
Vehicle Variants => 106 MM RCL, aka The Gunbuggy => Topic started by: Cliffy on June 17, 2012, 09:26:54 PM
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I had been rang buy a guy in the country about a shortie that he was trying to sell me. As he said it was not Military, I did not rank high in my priorities and was listed as a target of opportunity.
As it so happens I eventually got a few leads in the area and while I could not seem to make contact with the original guy, while looking at another couple of "abandoned projects" my mate drew my attention to another 88 sitting in the adjacent allotment. I thought, hmmmm, the description matches the other one I needed to track down.
As we left the property, I could JUST see the front.....GUNBUGGY!!! I thought but when we moved to a different angle.. no, just an old 88.
Well I made contact with the owner (yep, was the guy I had earlier spoke with) and made a time to go up and have a look.
When I first arrived I saw this..
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Wow! I thought, I got a command recon! That's what I was chasing. So I briefly spoke with the owner and we walked over for a look. As I walked down the side of the vehicle after inspecting the rear x-member my heart skipped a beat as I saw this....
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Trying not to giggle like a school girl, I made my way to the front of the vehicle and saw this!!!!
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So to cut a long story short, I am now the owner of 88 RCL 106 ARN 112-335.
It has the original engine but as you can see, has been converted back to a STD 88 back body. For some reason, a Command Recon was used and the conversion is very tidy. The new Civi X-member is the best job I have ever seen (not a piece of scrap iron). So I really need a Gunbuggy rear tub (hens teeth) to bring it back to her orginal glory! Tommy and i have gone over it and while she retains alot on in-service mods, alot have been gas axed as well.
It still has the S1 fuel tanks and currently reeks of stale fuel.
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After being sold off in 77' the vehicle was sent to Alice springs to be the post mans ride. You can see it has a letter slot in the door (Post Man humour?). It then traveled to Perth where for some years lived just 2 suburbs over from me. The owner before me then bought it as a bunky.
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Surprisingly, it has retained alot of the in-service bits. As items have broken they have been replaced with the usual suspects.
Even all the little clips that the straps pass through are there although the ones on the bonnet as well as the latches have been blinged up by chroming!
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And just before I hit the sack.....The Nomenclature plate is dinged up but present.
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Congrats Cliffy, nice find. ;D
Cheers
Richard
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Nice find,
(but I am sure you jumped the cue :) )
Looks great, will give you a call during the week to hear the details!
Cheers
Digger
(this is one less for me to find... :( )
and I noticed the gloating on the profile! :D
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G'day Cliffy,
Well done.
Would you like this added to the REMLR register? as membership officer I can do this for you
Cheers
Scott
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Cheers Scott. If you could that would be ace.
Also, the only other Ex mil I have is 178-204 (LRPV).
The other IIa was sold to a non-member.
Digger, you didn't notice the previous one that said "finder of desireable landrovers"! That was a hint after Stuart eluded to a GB being found!
Mate, you've got more chance than me to find them over there and yes, I'll have that tub you have :P
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What a great find Cliffy. It is fantastic to see another one surface. The little buggies seem almost to have the highest ratio of survival of the lot considering how few were originally made.
I am sure you will have a lot of fun with it.
Have a good look at those fuel cap cover strips (and any parts for that matter) for an ADE number that would identify them as originals as whoever did the original change of tubs seemed to have taken a fair amount of care doing so, and I am sure that with the similar amount of care you will be able to do the necessary mods yourself to bring it back to reality, just a bit of measuring, cutting, folding and riveting. The ability to supply photographs of the parts you need do exist!
Regards
Glen
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Nice find Cliffy ;)
Now get to work ;D
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Cheers Scott. If you could that would be ace.
Also, the only other Ex mil I have is 178-204 (LRPV).
The other IIa was sold to a non-member.
Digger, you didn't notice the previous one that said "finder of desireable landrovers"! That was a hint after Stuart eluded to a GB being found!
Mate, you've got more chance than me to find them over there and yes, I'll have that tub you have :P
All done, Scott
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I'm up for any batches of gear.
I hope to find a tub rather than fab at the moment.
Cheers all for the positive comments!
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What a fab discovery.
In relation to the absent buggy tub, what about fabricating one fron the present tub? On 112-723 someone has removed previous paint with an angle grinder and I was seriously considering replacing it with another standard tub replicating the modifications and transferring the additional body hardware.
Perhaps you could do the same but make the extra hardware.
Numpty and I both need a number of fittings that you will also need:- elevated rear seat platforms (2).
- rear gunner's seat squabs (2)
- gun crutch (1)
- aero windscreens (2)
- windscreen clamps (2)
- support bracket/turnbuckle for 106 rear legs (1xLH 1xRH)
- keyhole flap for cleaning kit (1)
Perhaps we can look at doing some batches? After all making 6 of an item is frequently not 6 times more difficult than making a single item!
why not make some extras... for when others get one?? ;) :o
seriously, dimensions and lots of photos for everything...
so we have a good record of it all.
cheers!
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Somewhere I have some documents on how to convert a vehicle to a gunbuggy. Let me have a look. Wait out..
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EMEI G027-13: Conversion to 106mm RCL Carrier. Modification Instruction.
Knew I had it somewhere. Must get more of these online.....
Unfortunately it mainly lists stores to be removed from the vehicle, and stores needed for the conversion. The rest is in other documents. to quote the detail section of the instruction
the details for the conversion is contained in part 4 of ADE publication No 381 "Provisional notes on Gun, Anti-tank, SP 106 MM, RCL Rifle, Class 2350 parts 1 to 8" and the fitting and installation drawings ADE(X)226 series are contained in part 6.
The drawings for the component parts are in part 8 and are referred to in the fitting details in part 4 . The publication xwill be supplied to commands on request to AHQ.
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Damn, all I need is a GB tub!
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I think we have doco somewhere on how to make LWB 106 RCL as well...
Pete
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Great find Cliffy and welcome to an exclusive fraternity.
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You also forgot the box which is bolted to the bulkhead, the clips/clamps that hold the screens behind the seats, pioneering tool holding clamps that fit on the LHS inside the tub, various bits that hold the 6 x106RCL rounds, the little pieces of padding that fit on the tub for rear seat passengers.
There are 2 x fancy clamps in the corners of the tub (front) behind the seats, a half round hitch fitted to the rear X member, rifle clamps in 3 positions, multitudes of footman loops on the bonnet and other places, and lots of other items as well, cheers Dennis
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just out of interest, and assuming you could buy one, what is a gun buggy worth?
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Yup, we have technical drawings for a 109 gunbuggy that is dated in the early 80's, so presumably for a series 3 to replace the 88's as they aged.
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Well I started the process or dismantling last weekend. I really had fun when I filled the drivers side petrol tank only to have all the fuel p!ss out all over the driveway! Seem was/is split so will need repairs.
Plenty of brush painted OD with bronze green shining through..
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The passenger side tank was still holding fuel and was intact bar one fuel cap locking lug....
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Found a number on the vent scutle, the auction # maybe????
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The old gal still has its original bumper but it is now munted as it has had some kind of winch mount welded onto it.
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All the strap hooks on the bonnet as well as the bonnet latches have been chromed......bling bling!!
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She also has the original glass indicator and side light lenses / lamps. Used as they were stronger than the plastic ones???
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Not a Landy part but these ratchet ring spanners are ace!!!!! I bought them to do my 90 swivel housings an now use them instead of all my ring spanners!! Just 2 spanners cover about 12 sizes and are ratcheted to boot! They are stong too! I was literally hanging off them doing the swivels and they are still 100% tiptop! Also they will do your old hex bolts as well as the new 12 points on defenders etc. I think I got em'for $29 on special at repco. They have the Cliffy stamp of approval! 8)
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Not a Landy part but these ratchet ring spanners are ace!!!!! I bought them to do my 90 swivel housings an now use them instead of all my ring spanners!! Just 2 spanners cover about 12 sizes and are ratcheted to boot! They are stong too! I was literally hanging off them doing the swivels and they are still 100% tiptop! Also they will do your old hex bolts as well as the new 12 points on defenders etc. I think I got em'for $29 on special at repco. They have the Cliffy stamp of approval! 8)
got the brand or packaging so we can go have a search ourselves? scrub that enlarge photo and is a REPCO brand!
Great work on the ol' fella!
any closer to a name (like "livingstone"-- in a located sitting in the bush, "gunbuggy I presume?" kind of way!)
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I don't really get the name thing.
It's army so an ARN should do!
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G'day Cliffy :)
Those glass 2 screw lens are the correct type for a 1963/4 Landrover,as it was the standard light and lens fitted to all vehicles at that time,also found on most original Ambos,but they were replaced in service with the later plastic type when broken,so look at any civilian vehicle that you find laying around and try to aquire the units as they are getting rare both here and UK the rear lens both tail and blinker are unique to Aust. Military Landrovers and was never fitted to any common model civilian vehicle in Australia, they are Astin-Martin from memory ;)
cheers
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G'day Diana :)
It might be worth contacting Kevin Baker,"K B Classic Spares "at Witta in Qld, he is not on the internet but is the "Lucas Man" in Qld, Phone (07)5494 4221 :) he has about 55,000 Lucas Electrical parts plus some other vintage brands, nice bloke to deal with we have been friends for near on 40 years
Kevin
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Hi,
NOS lenses are around on ebay but have to search far and wide, there was also some plastic repo ones that I bought and they look the part until you touch them, but I can't find them on ebay anymore.
Look at this
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PAIR-LUCAS-AMBER-GLASS-LENS-L639-AUSTIN-MORRIS-TRIUMPH-/120699877639?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c1a45f907
cheers
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G'day Diana :)
It might be worth contacting Kevin Baker,"K B Classic Spares "at Witta in Qld, he is not on the internet but is the "Lucas Man" in Qld, Phone (07)5494 4221 :) he has about 55,000 Lucas Electrical parts plus some other vintage brands, nice bloke to deal with we have been friends for near on 40 years
Kevin
He is getting low on some of the Land Rover stuff though. When I bought new lights for Castrol he said they were getting harder to find....having said that, I'd still be ringing him though. At least he knows EXACTLY what you need and what you can use to substitute if original is no longer available. And he's a nice bloke ;D and gets the stuff out to you ASAP ;D
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All the strap hooks on the bonnet as well as the bonnet latches have been chromed......bling bling!!
Cliffy, Dont rule out the possibility of this having been used as a ceremonial vehicle late in service life, chromeing of some fittings was usual for this reason.
MC
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MC, you raise a VERY interesing point.
The fittment of this tub (which happens to be military in origin - Commd. Recon) is VERY neat!
I struggle to even think of a another vehicle that has had a replacement crossmember fitted so well.
Tommy has seen it and can attest to this. I had entertained the idea that perhapse late in it's army life, for some reason it had been converted back to an original tub. I can also see however that a GB tub is pretty useless for civy use and may have been scrapped and a donor (and by chance CR) tub got fitted.
I can tell you that they did not fit the blackout light back to the rear cross member nor is the NATO plug wired up unless it was cu and re-routed to the civi trailer plug.
You can see however that for some reason, the cargo area bulkhead has been cut out but WAY bigger than the GB tub wheel way.
Tommy, that felt lined tube under the drivers legs is the muzzle end of an SLR bracket. So now I need to get one of those too!
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Had another look at the beast today.
I got her running after replacinging 12 mt of fuel hose and a new filter.
This machine has been well and truly messed around with! It took alot of toggle switch flicking to work out what does which. You even have to use the hand throttle to set up the base idle as she went to full revs when the lever was at idle and I had to choke the motor with my hand over the (Holden) carb.
Settled down to a nice tick over but a little smokey ( but that's probably the deisel in the unleaded I poured in ( don't ask).
Couldn't take her for a spin as the clutch flexi hose is kaput and leaks out all the brake fluid, also leaving the brakes non-existant!
Looked at the tub. It's never been pained drab so I doubt it was a ceremonial vehicle.
The rest of the GB is BG overpainted with OD, overpainted with red, overpainted with brown.
Made plans to go to the army museum to get pics and dimensions for fabrication of a GB rear tub.
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Just secured an early IIA civi (bitsa) that has alot of donor bits that will allow me to bring 112-335 closer to original!
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Well today I had to shuffle all the vehicles around in my yard to get to my boat and make room for my 86" when she arrives.
Could not get fuel up to the carbie as there is two fuel taps and glob knows where they have to be to let fuel through. I ended up going the direct plumb to the fuel pump but ended up getting a mouth full of fuel. Called it a day and started again this morning. Got her going and once fresh fuel was making it's way to the carbie there was no smoke at all and she purred like a kitten. Took her for a drive in my test track and the Gearbox also good! So I will be stripping her down soon for repairs and fabrication of the missing bits!
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well done!
Keep us in the loop, list all your numbers/measurements etc and any piccies when you can please
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these ratchet ring spanners are ace!!!!! use them instead of all my ring spanners!! Just 2 spanners cover about 12 sizes and are ratcheted to boot! They are stong too! )
couldn't agree more, do yourselves a favor, get a set they are great and the time they save
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have started the de-construction of 112-335.
Gonna take her back to the chassis then re-build.
The tub is going to be a pain but it will be the last thing I need to sort.
I can get cracking on the rest and the bulkhead rust needs stopping and repair.
So she will be packed into the shed soon.
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have started the de-construction of 112-335.
Gonna take her back to the chassis then re-build.
The tub is going to be a pain but it will be the last thing I need to sort.
I can get cracking on the rest and the bulkhead rust needs stopping and repair.
So she will be packed into the shed soon.
Hi Cliffy, if you need measurements of the tub mine is off ATM so can measure everything easily - looks like you will have to make one - doesn't seem to hard looking at it
cheers
Scott
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Thanks for the offer. I have the one here at the army museum I can get measurements off too.
Yeah, doesn't look too hard but bolting one on is a lot easier (ya hear that people sitting on tubs!).
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Hello all.
So, 112-335 has passed to me and will hopefully be made-over back to standard RCL carrier over as long a period as it takes.
It was reportedly used as a mail carrier in the N.T. and, as seen in the photos in the first few posts, was changed back to a rear tub. The chassis, motor, and drive train, I shouldn't have too much trouble with. All the tin-ware including the firewall is beyond repair though except for one front fender. The amount of bog in it is massive. I've got replacements for all of it plus a decent rear tub (Thanks Cliff) which will be modified to RCL shape.
My only problem at the moment is the only known buggy in WA is at the Fremantle Army Museum and it is locked away in a tiny shed and difficult to get access to accurately measure up the rear. I got rough measurements on a previous visit but it would save me another visit if I could find the these distances
1/ The width, front to back, of the top, of the steel shield, which wraps over the top of the ammunition cases: and
2/ The distance between that shield and the top of the wheel arch, effectively the diameter of the ammunition case plus a bit.
3/ The width of the cut in the tub's front bulkhead through which the gun's front wheel pokes
If anyone out there in Buggyland could help me with those three measurements I would appreciate it greatly.
Of interest, on the rear part of the front driver's side front fender, under 3 coats of paint and at least one can of bog I found a yellow triangle, 9" high, arms 1" wide, and with 2 digits inside. The first is a '6', the second is either '6', '5', or possibly a 'G'. Would anyone have any thoughts on that?
Thanks
Murray