mcspool

Hi Adrian, Indeed, see http://kr.blog.yahoo.com/shinecommerce/16906.html?p=9&t=2 for more pictures. The front part seems to be a box sitting on top of the hull, the rear part is of course interconnected with the engine compartment. Regards, Hanno

This is what I found on http://www.glencoyne.co.uk/buyguide.htm : Sounds like a fair assessment? H.

Tim, To me that would be a "no brainer", as the murricans say: Patton museum! Hanno

Thanks for the input, all! I tend to favour a petrol engine, manily because I do not have experience with diesels. Plus they tend to have a bad name here, possibly because of what Mike noted. As for the 2 1/4 litre petrol engine, I read the 5 bearing crankshaft was introduced in 1980. Now, the Lightweight remained in production until 1983-1985(?), so I'd be looking for a late production example. Does anyone know if the British Armed Forces ordered any LHD 12V GS Lightweights during that period? Looks I would be looking for a rare variant, a bit of the opposite I want to attain. Probably best to do what many LR owners seem to do: mix 'n match components - isn't it called a Meccano set on wheels? H.

Indeed, the Dutch MoD incorporated a number of "improvements" to lower the cost. An example is the fitting of 7.00-16 tyres which were still in stock for the M38A1 NEKAF. This led to all sort of problems with the Lightweights driveline. A prime example of "buying cheap is expensive". . . Read more about the Dutch Lightweights here: http://www.chaosboyz.nl/rubriek/techniek/techlandroverlightweight.htm H.

Ram Dolphin, the Canadian variant of the Sherman BARV.

Thanks all for your comments! I did ride in one nearly 25 years ago when they were still in service with the Netherlands Marines, but never had the chance (yet) to drive one. It seems it is really a case to see for myself if the Lightweight "suits me". I'll let you know about my findings. Regards, Hanno

Pictures of a Volvo heavy recovery truck (don´t know the exact type). The wide scuttle is typical for Volvo trucks of the era. Wrecker set is a Holmes one. In use with the Swedish Army from 1941-1951. . .

Ah yes, I can see what you mean . . .

Tim, It was most of the collection from the Victory Museum near Arlon in Belgium. Apart from a few rarities like the Hexonaut and Morris-Commercial PU8/4 there is not a lot to see. Unless you are interested in seeing almost all variations of the German half track, and not very well restored, I would not bother to go there. But that is just my EUR 0.02 worth. Hanno

Most of the Lightweights for sale in Holland are ex-Netherlands Army LHD 24V diesel engined ones. But for me an ex-BAOR LHD petrol engined LWT is an option, too. Q2: What is the better enigne? The diesel or the petrol? Thanks, Hanno

Hi Marty, Simple enough, friends of mine moved to Sweden last year and we went to pay them a visit. Other than the Volvo museum we did not visit any military-related sites. I have other friends who moved to Olso recently. When they have settled in I'll make sure to come over and visit you too! Hanno

Agree. Their Gripen is clearly "the son of". Amazing how a relatively small country was - and still is - able to develop their own innovative fighter aircraft. Engines were licence-produced Pratt & Whitney JT8D´s modified with an afterburner and reverse thrust, known as the RM 8B Volvo Flygmotor. Sweden´s "relationship" with P&W started during WW2, when the Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp was copied from a downed airplane. Only after the war this was settled under a licence agreement with P&W. Or so the display board said with this engine. . . H.

Vovlo Sugga! Sugga translates to sow (zeug). . . H.

Not directly related to the museum, but these days the C303 - or Tgb 11 in Swedish Army speak - is highly sought after for their portal axles. Offroaders strip the axles from the Tgb 11 and what remains is sold as a garden shed or scrapped. . . Again, note that stunning M90 camouflage scheme!

Sadly, the Dakar Rally winning C303 was temporarily not on display. The attached picture comes from http://www.offrd.se/photo/paris-dakar-c303-at-the-volvo-museum

Volvo 912 / TL 22 6x6 truck. Built during the 1950s. Nice compact 6x6 Troop Carrier, also used as artillery tractor I believe.

A8B engine for the WW2 Strv m/42 tank. V8 petrol, 22.6 litres displacement, 410 bhp, 165 kgm torque. In the background is the engine for the S-tank.

First the aircraft. Both the Saab Draken and Viggen were fitted with Volvo Aero engines. Both airframes are sectioned, as well as the engines inside them. Makes for an interesting view for the technically inclined. Camouflage is the stunning M90 scheme.

I visited the Volvo Museum in Gothenborg, Sweden, last weekend - see http://www.volvomuseum.com Very interesting to see the various cars, trucks, aircraft engines and marine engines built by the Volvo Group of companies. Not a lot of HMV´s on display, but worth a visit for the petrol heads among us if you are in the vicinity! HTH, Hanno

Hi volvoc303 (do you own one of these too?) Did you have to carry out any mods (like swapping the steering wheel) to fit your 6'3" frame? Or is it a matter of squeezing in and taking it like a man? Thanks, Hanno

Daz, You mean an ex-Netherlands Marines Defender 110 is a good place to start? Problem is they seem to be thin on the ground and therefore command high prices. Here are a couple of Leightweights on offer by various MV dealers (pictures from their sites). Most of them seem to be ex-Netherlands Army LHD diesel engined ones. I'll go and have a look at some of them during the XMas holidays. Hanno

Thanks, that was my next question. I looked up it up and found the mudstuff.co.uk website. They mention "MUD Rails are available to fit all ages of 90, 110, 130, SW, Double Cab and NAS Defenders". I like the combination of their rails + bulkhead removal bar. So maybe I should be on the lookout for a ex-RNLMC Defender 110? Hanno

Ok, thanks for the tip. I'm not after comfort, but after a practical military vehicle. Land Rovers and parts are for sale everywhere, and the weather protection is better than other jeep type vehicles (in Holland it rains as often as in the UK). I´m not too concerned about having to alter things to make it more practical or dependable, but it should be a HMV. In my opinion the Lightweight is the most military of all Land Rovers. Hanno

Dougy, Rambo, Neil, Phil, Daz, Burley, Thanks for the responses! I tried a 101 for size once, did not even start to try to drive it. . . Hanno