50 years of ownership and use.

[123rover50]

This year marks 50 years since my late wife and I acquired this Land Rover.
I was working as a Stock Inspector for the Dept of Ag Stock and Fisheries in TPNG and had just been transferred from New Ireland to Bougainville in 1974.
We heard from locals about this Land Rover truck that was broken down south of Buin down the bottom end of the island. We went for a look and had to have it. A deal was made and we towed it back to Kieta

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53505046386_5c6e4cd845_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2pw4mcL)IMG_2844 (https://flic.kr/p/2pw4mcL) by Keith Cree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141809689@N05/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53505048971_5f3ab5055d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2pw4mYk)IMG_2845 (https://flic.kr/p/2pw4mYk) by Keith Cree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141809689@N05/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53505474430_1bd3b2d74e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2pw6xrQ)IMG_2846 (https://flic.kr/p/2pw6xrQ) by Keith Cree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141809689@N05/), on Flickr

It was a 2A Forward Control with the original drop sides and the 2.6 petrol 6 in it. The Aussie ones came as knock downs with a tray or such fitted.
Got it going and road registered and its been registered ever since.
Brought it back to Australia when we pulled the pin and settled on the Sunshine Coast.
There it helped build our first house.

http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/ad232/123rover50/Forward%20Control/FCandnewhouse001.jpg

[123rover50]

The building business was booming and I had to wait weeks for a Bobcat. I bought my own, a Mustang skidsteer and went out the back for half a day to learn how to use it then set myself up in business.

http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/ad232/123rover50/Forward%20Control/FCandnewhouse002001.jpg

[123rover50]

This was early 80,s.
Many were getting into this game with tippers and I could not compete. Then one day I saw a dredge the council employed to Top up our beaches. I said to Anne, I could do that as this dredge came from the Gold Coast. I built a dredge on the vacant block down the road.
Then on a high tide pushed it over the revetment wall with the Mustang and away we went. Best job I ever had.

http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/ad232/123rover50/Forward%20Control/BuildingDredge001.jpg

[123rover50]

The FC was made into camping mode , so a trip to Fraser Island. Not many there those days.

http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/ad232/123rover50/Forward%20Control/Fraserisland001.jpg

[123rover50]

Next a proper camping body was made from fibreglassed ply and our trips started. This body is still on it today.

More in this thread.
My First Forward Control (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/siia-and-siib-forward-controls/85495-my-first-forward-control.html)

http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/ad232/123rover50/Forward%20Control/FCwithnewcamper001.jpg

[Tins]

It's great, Keith. I really regret not joining it last year, especially as what I did instead turned out so poorly.

That fotopail mob knew how to win friends.....

[123rover50]

It's great, Keith. I really regret not joining it last year, especially as what I did instead turned out so poorly.

That fotopail mob knew how to win friends.....

Last year did not turn out well for me either.
I broke a CV near Eyre Creek. Choice, go on with 3WD or Chicken out. I chose the latter as if I broke the other CV in the centre somewhere I would be in the poo with only 2WD.
I have fitted two new CV,s and may try again this season.

[Tins]

Last year did not turn out well for me either.
I broke a CV near Eyre Creek. Choice, go on with 3WD or Chicken out. I chose the latter as if I broke the other CV in the centre somewhere I would be in the poo with only 2WD.
I have fitted two new CV,s and may try again this season.

Hmm... Something to aim for. No promises. So much in the way, including procrastination. But the OKA still wants to do that trip.

[123rover50]

I lost most of my photos when my first laptop died .
But here is a link to a thread I started on a South African 4x4 Forum. It has more of the story and photos.
It may be of interest
.Just a moment... (https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php/312558-My-2A-Forward-Control?highlight=)

Keith

[oka374]

Keith I've just read that SA forum thread from start to finish, you are to be congratulated on the life you have lived and the experiences you have had.
Regards Peter

[Tins]

Such a shame that the photos were lost. Do you still have the laptop? They might be recoverable.

[Tins]

Had me confused for a sec until I worked out that the thread is organised in reverse to the way AULRO does it, ie oldest post first.

I don't regret my life, but boy I would have liked to share some of yours, experience wise.

[123rover50]

Such a shame that the photos were lost. Do you still have the laptop? They might be recoverable.

I do, but the computer guy I went to could not retrieve them.
I still have the half frame slides I took. A big cardboard box full of slide boxes but I have forgotten how I got them into the first computer.

[123rover50]

Had me confused for a sec until I worked out that the thread is organised in reverse to the way AULRO does it, ie oldest post first.

I don't regret my life, but boy I would have liked to share some of yours, experience wise.

Yes, I dont regret anything we did and most decisions we made worked out well.
Would have celebrated 52 years married yesterday.

The best decision was leaving NZ at 21 and moving to Australia.
.
I feel we have been living in the best time of the world and its going downhill from here.
I have no regrets.

Keith