Thread: Ex Navy 1950 Restoration

The problem we have with series 1s used by the RAN is that it is so long ago. I can certainly remember the series 2s but nothing before that. Most people who would have personal experience from the late 50s are now in their 80s and probably don't frequent forums - either military or otherwise.

The pics that have come to light are generally in black and white and taken from considerable distance so it is hard to determine colour and other details. I did contact the historic section of Navy PR a couple of years back but they did not retain any records on vehicles - just ships and aircraft.

I think that the detective work that people have done is about the best that is realistically achievable. It woud seem that colours may have varied - vehicles were allocated to the Dept of Supply for the Navy rather than allocated direct to the Dept of Navy so probably in some sort of pool arrangement.

The place to look is in the individual museums that the Navy still runs - most establishments have at least a library, places like Albatross and Creswell have their own museums and there is the large one at Spectacle Is and that is the one that probably has the answers.

Garry

Oxford Blue - Some RAN Sea Furies were painted Oxford blue, as were Sycamores. QEII and HRH inspected the troops in HMS Albion using an Oxford Blue S1.

That is not to say that S1s were not operated in other colours. Ground equipment "Yellow" at Nowra and JB for instance, or the light blue ZNA-*** sixties colour.

However, S1s operated as "ship's boats" * would be like the "barges" with ship's badges etc. and all tiddley. The Jimmy (1st Lieut) and the Buffer (Chief Bosun's Mate) would not have it otherwise, it simply would not be allowed on their deck!

* one needs to be ex-Navy to understand the rationale, goes with decks, deck-heads bulkheads etc when in a building ashore

Cheers

RF

Well guys I have been doing some serious thinking (scary I know) I have owned this 80" since 1991 and in that time have only restored the chassis and rebuilt all 4 leaf springs & have got to thinking that I just don't think I have the time or the money to do the full concourse restoration in the correct Navy specs to this unique Landy so deserves.
I am possibly thinking of selling it. It is 100% rust free very good panels matching numbers, long nose diffs the free-wheel gearbox has been reconditioned have receipts
It has had quite a colour full live and I know its history since it was auctioned off from the navy,.

Do you have any pics?

You may be restricting yourself by focusing on "the full concourse restoration in the correct Navy specs to this unique Landy so deserves".

I'm not suggesting you're wrong, but there is an alternative which is to take the base you've already built, and reconstruct a running and useable Landy. As long as you don't do anything that will prevent that full restoration and document everything (to facilitate a full resto), you may find that just getting her working and enjoying her, even if it's only on the occasional vintage run, may be all you need to keep her in the family. Certainly a complete, running vehicle that is used periodically will last longer.

Outside of that, there's no way of pricing what you have because history only has value to the beholder. Maybe contact your local vintage car club (here in Adelaide, I'd direct you to the Sporting Car Club) ie, a multi marque club, because they're most likely to understand these things. Contact the local Land Rover club as well. There are probably historic military vehicle clubs too, you see enough historic military vehicles at parades and the like.

Whatever route you take, I applaud you for trying to preserve a piece of history. Hope it works out for you.

Hey, Lost Landy, you can post your "What's it worth" here:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/what-worth/

Oh, and remember, when it comes time to sell, pop it in the "Markets" section.

Lost Landy,,

did you happen to see this thread and more importantly the photos?

this is an ex RN s1 that was sold near here before I really knew what it was!

maybe this colour may be familiar?

interesting s1 88"-- ex mil?


**edit having probs with FLICKR try this one for photos! https://www.flickr.com/search/'text=...y%20s1%2088%22

cheers
Digger

Though the S1 is "tiddly" it is not dark enough to be the "formal" Oxford blue of a "barge", and Voyager at the taking of the photo was not a flotilla leader with a four ringer - No "leader" markings on the stack.

Given that the original light blue has been found that is the one I would use. The chassis will have been Bronze Green. All the 80" were.

Looking at the Flikkr photos of the 88 would confirm the pusser's lighter blue for the Voyager "boat"

Cheers

Rick F