Thread: Land Rovers Army 2nd Choice

No this story is correct













Just kidding

I don't know but it is a plausable response

I would call BS also. Its not the RSL's role to influence decisions like that, and I wouldn't expect that they would try to put our soldiers into also ran vehicles. The Army use a lot of Japanese products.

Originally Posted by mrapocalypse

Ok for those who love a conspiracy theory...

My Nis**n driving mate reckons that when he was in the Army transport unit? in about 1978-80 (or something!!!) they did the trials and land Rover came a distant second to toyota and that the only reason the Army didn't go with Toyota was that "The RSL stepped in and Said no to a japanese vehicle in the Austrlian Army"

I said RUBBISH!

Was i right??????

I believe you were right.
When the Army called for tenders for Project Perentie, only Jeep, Mercedes and Landrover offered vehicles for testing. Mercedes almost won that contract as they came in with a very good price and were also supplying Unimogs at the time. I also understand that Toyota failed the drop test from out of Hercules.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

I would call BS also. Its not the RSL's role to influence decisions like that, and I wouldn't expect that they would try to put our soldiers into also ran vehicles. The Army use a lot of Japanese products.

I would be very concerned if possible combat situations (life or death) were influenced by decisions based on these type of motivations.

That's not to say it isn't true.

These blokes deserve the best on offer and if it aint L/R so be it!

Yes we can only hope it's absolute BS.

I know one factor in getting the 110 was that LRA was in deep poo and the army contract kept them afloat for several years. Even though, the 110 is a much better vehicle, there were a few 40 series troopies being used but good God! Can you imagine the condition they'd be in today?!

yep, you can call BS on this one, Toyota never submitted a vehicle and the Jeep was never seriously considered as they didn't comply with the basic spec by supplying a petrol engined auto trans vehicle !
It was only ever really between the G Wagon and the 110. I think the clincher was probably the 6x6.

Originally Posted by numpty

I also understand that Toyota failed the drop test from out of Hercules.

They should still test ALL Toyotas that way.

From 30,000 feet.

I was in the Kimberley in the early 90's. I think it was during the Kangaroo 95 exercises that a RAEME unit pulled in to buy some industrial supplies where I worked. They were in Land Cruisers. They explained that that was all that was left after the fighting boys got the Land Rovers, besides they were the ones expected to keep these jalopies (word substitute applying to the Toyota) going.

As numpty said - Toyota didn't even put their hat in last time, but I do remember reading a 4WD magazine article at the time stating the RSL reason and also saying that the army put their best drivers in the Land Rovers.

Mercedes had a lot of trouble offloading their G-Wagens to any military. I noticed the Greek military had a heap in the late 90's and was told they were probably bought through a cash lubricated transaction . But that conspiracy theory came from my aunt, not a military source.

The army expect to keep their vehicles in service for 20 years, Toyotas don't last that long. There was some African country that bought 1/2 Land Rovers and 1/2 Land Cruisers for their military. The Land Rovers needed a set of spanners from day one, but after 2 years there were no Land Cruisers left in service.


People wax lyrical about Land Cruisers, but having driven both off road, I'd say the Land Rover can be pushed harder and will respond more predictably. I know I'm talking a little old school here, but a mate in a troopy (leaf sprung) could never keep up with my SIII off road. If he went as fast as he could he'd only manage to see the last of my dust settle on the ground. On road, I couldn't keep up with him.

Tell your mate he has an inferior vehicle that shrouds itself in self made urban myths because it has no real heritage.