Why does this Land Rover TUL 90 Wolf have a bright orange sticker on the roof?

[paul connor]

I was just curious if anyone can explain why this vehicle has a large orange sticker (although now very faded) on the front slope of the roof?

It was active in Germany for the last 10 years of its service, but I cannot think as to why it would have this addition?

I hope someone can help, as I would really like to know

Thanks

 

Paul

Edited July 3, 2023 by paul connor

[wally dugan]

this may be the same stuff l was given a roll of orange sticky backed like the one in the picture l was told it was used in the gulf as aerial recognition on vehicles ?

[robin craig]

Paul, provenance. Is that vehicle yours and are you the first owner since disposal? If yes then you have some reasonable certainty that it was applied in service, right?

If it is an in  application then perhaps it was for some safety directive that supersedes the need to be camouflaged and all tactical, perhaps helicopter operations?

The other thought is amphibious landing training and the need to keep track of vehicles in the event they get submerged in an underwater hole etc.

Can I reproduce your picture with credit to you on other platforms to see if anyone knows?

[paul connor]

Hi Robin, thank you for you reply. Yes, no problem to share the image at all.

I attach the service history from KB 93 AA, TUL Wolf 90.

From my understanding of the history it was attached to 4 Rifles, then deploying with UK BG 1 (CSAT)  to Bosnia/Serbia conflict with 4 rifles and ending at QM DEPT MNGB BLMF.  Still with 4 Rifles, and later 5 Rifles. I am unsure if the codes for the last two with Rifles are a Germany deployment.

From 02/11/2009 the Wolf was attached to 1 Yorks at Munster, Oxford Barracks. I found paperwork inside to also confirm this. From here it moves to TFSU which is Mönchengladbach and also, from paperwork within, at some stage in Paderborn 2016.

I am sure the orange strip has not been on the vehicle since 2001 when deployed to Bosnia as it would be in much worse condition, and likely have been removed.

My guess is related to Germany - maybe an escort vehicle, range or command observation, etc. But I cannot confirm.

Any ideas would be great - or service pics if you know anyone in the Rifles and Yorks, especially WO2 Brownsword as I have his Oxford Barracks bar bill in the Wolf! I wonder if he has paid it 🤣

[paul connor]

 

[Richard Farrant]

Paul,

Check this link out, it was formerly known as  TFSU (G) according to Merlin list you showed.

https://www.facebook.com/SEFGermany/

[ruxy]

Was it not Op. Granby where Allied vehicles had high-viz / dayglo fabric panels this size secured to the roof with four ropes  ?   This decal would serve the same purpose.

[Grasshopper]

13 hours ago, ruxy said:

Was it not Op. Granby where Allied vehicles had high-viz / dayglo fabric panels this size secured to the roof with four ropes  ?   This decal would serve the same purpose.

These panels were used in Operation Granby, but that was 1991 and the vehicle wasn't built then. 

[paul connor]

I agree with the panels idea, as Snatch Land Rovers also had the same stickers applied to windscreens and also screen surrounds for unit identification. 

But the purpose of this application most likely in Germany is confusing.

[ruxy]

11 hours ago, Grasshopper said:

These panels were used in Operation Granby, but that was 1991 and the vehicle wasn't built then. 

That does not stop a previous private owner from adding a embelishment using reflective decal having seen a photograph - ISTR there are some in Bob Morrisons book  British Military Land Rovers in the Gulf. (a local road-signs manufacture keeps all colours and types of decal material) .

[paul connor]

Ruxy, I agree. The Snatch Land Rover book that came out had loads of private ownership additions added to some of the vehicles, giving a false impression of what a vehicle might have looked like in service. Artistic licence I guess.

As for my Wolf, as it is direct from MOD/GPSV we can rule that out.

As Richard pointed out - TFSU (G) which is Stored Equipment Fleet, Germany, would supply vehicles when required for exercises in Germany to all units. So although Rifles/Yorks were the initial likely units for the decal, we cannot rule out any unit that was allocated the vehicle on loan from 2013>?.

I might make a Freedom of Information request to see if I can get the TFSU (G) vehicle/unit allocation logs for my Wolf. This would give more information if such a log is available.

I did find a Vodaphone top-up receipt from Paderborn dated 2016 - which does suggest the vehicle was in use there, but cannot rule out that someone just emptied their rubbish inside the vehicle while inside for whatever reason.

[ruxy]

It's probably exercise wargames - aerial recognition on the North German Plains - one side had the other had zilch - or possibly just adjudicator.

[sterling1961]

In US Army wargames Orange denotes the Oposition Forces (OPFOR) whilst Blue denotes friendly forces. Perhaps this  vehicle was used by some time British unit that was playing OPFOR to US units.