19GLN

I am unsure of the specifics as well. What I know for certain is that some ended up not being used as originally intended and thus remained unfitted. They had storage compartments for tools in the tub, a foldable two section ladder on the roof, and a single foldable seat on the rear right hand wheel arch (same as on Series 1 FFW models with 24V electrics for radio operators). If I can gather correctly from research, they were all painted in RAF blue-grey thus any yellow sprayed on their body to aid airfield visibility was done once delivered to their respective units. Of the known survivors I have managed to track down, all their hardtops were white/cream with no sign of yellow or blue-grey. Those transferred to the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works (MPBW) were given FUV or FUL registrations. Unfortunately my reg was transferred at some point and is currently on an A-reg plate.

I doubt the b card for it has survived same as most of the older Series Land Rovers, but you can try contacting Mr Fletcher (gfletcher@btinternet.com). He is the author of 'British Military Land Rovers' which I would highly recommend you get a copy of if you have not already. 37AA88 was the last of only 18 Airfield Lighting Maintenance Rover 3s ordered for the RAF on Contract No. 6/Veh/21227. I have managed to narrow down mine to being 53AA14 and again little information is available. Most ended up not being used as intended and possibly converted to other configurations such as for Glider Towing. A number were also transferred to the Ministry for Public Buildings and Works with very little mileage on them. Attached is a picture of mine and 37AA54 (the closest I have to your registration).

On another note, I presume if a 12V GS model was fitted with an oil cooler its connections and pipe routings would be slightly different (perhaps additional pattern holes, brackets or clips on the inner passenger wing? ). My question is: is there anything additional I can observe that can indicate that an oil cooler might had possibly been fitted? (perhaps having been in a warmish climate such as Malta's may indicate such)

Thank you for the insightful information. My Rover 8 (04 DM 59) would therefore be Item 1 if I'm understanding correctly. My friend's is also from the same contract and slightly earlier than mine (03 DM __ not sure of the last two numbers), and to my knowledge also spent its service life in Malta. My friend in question also has a 24V FFR Rover 8 (EK reg but unsure of the contract) which has its original oil cooler still fitted. I believe the radiator panel had additional holes drilled in to accommodate the oil cooler as per pictures below. His GS truck also has the exact same pattern holes and so does mine (not sure if this was factory standard for such military trucks or if done whilst in service). I also used to own another GS 12V model a couple years back (09 EK 12 from contract WV496) which also had identical pattern holes in the radiator panel.

I do have a copy of the Rover 8/9 parts book, but it makes no mention as to which contracts these were fitted on. The only mention of contracts made is regards to variations concerning its set up such as the thermometer brackets (different between 12V and 24V contracts). My 88 was part of contract KL/H/01305, thus an early Rover 8/2.

Hi all, I was always of the belief that the oil cooler was fitted as standard to all Rover 8s and 9s. A friend of mine believes that this was only the case for 24V FFR models and not 12V GS variants, and indeed a couple of pictures I found seem to confirm this. Has anyone got any more information? Would oil coolers be fitted to GS vehicles only if operating in hot climates such as Aden?

Thanks for the input. I have read the related section on “British Military Land Rovers” but found it rather unreliable or incorrect. The Airfield Lighting Maintenance Mark 3 I own (FV18003) was delivered against Cont. No. 6/VEH/13840 (therefore a different contract than the one highlighted in the book). Moreover the chassis number does not fall within the range specified by the book’s annex at the back of the chapter. If the annex is correct my chassis number falls under another contract (it’s number is not available) with vehicle registration between 52 AA 48 and 54 AA 24 (I cannot confirm this as my contract plate is missing unfortunately). From light observation, the only evident colours beneath the current paint are RAF blue and yellow. I only just received the Land Rover but indeed I am finding this discussion quite interesting. Look forward to more insight into this variation of the Rover 3!

Has anyone been able to follow up on the above quest? Certainly something I would be interested in. Unfortunately rather poorly documented or at least I have not had any luck yet.

Thanks for the help, highly appreciated. Anyone here served in Malta, has relatives who did or has any pictures from that era? It is a shame that little photographic evidence is accessible online for British military vehicles in Malta. I was always of the opinion that the 50s, 60s and 70s were the golden age for military vehicles. Thanks again.

Hi all, Thanks for the add. I own an early Series 2A (Rover 8/2) of military registration 04DM59. My final aim is finish a nut and bolt restoration and get her looking as close to original spec as possible. From what I know it was shipped to Malta in early 1962 and likely spent its entire career here until it got struck off in March 1969. Unfortunately the RLC no longer have any information on it. It is a GS version fitted in preparation for conversion to FFR and I am the third owner since military release. I will certainly have more questions at a later stage in the restoration. My initial aim is to gather as much information as I can from this period, particularly anything that involves British military service in this part of the world. Have any of you got any photos of military vehicles in Malta during the 50s and 60s? Or perhaps even better someone of you served here doing that period? Any photographic evidence would help even if it is not Land Rover related. Thanks, Glenn