Rhodesian mineproofed vehicles
The print AFV News had several stories in the 70s and 80s on Rhodesian improvised vehicles. These led to books by a Kiwi named Peter Cooke and an ex Rhodesian named Peter Stiff. Their works extensively researched and chronicled the technical histories.
For a landlocked country dependant on the good will and trade links of their neighbours, they did quite well in their arms industries. For example, they rebadged BEDFORDs as RODEF trucks. They devised advanced mine-proofed vehicles on Land Rovers, Unimogs and F150s that were copied and improved by the South Africans, the descendants of which (not whom) are saving lives daily overseas. They also modified whatever was at hand to suit the task.
The T16 carriers photographed are a perfect example of improvise, adapt and overcome to achieve the mission. I doubt there were more than a few, although I will have to refer to my archives to confirm.
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Terry Warner
- 74-????? M151A2
- 70-08876 M38A1
- 53-71233 M100CDN trailer
Beware! The Green Disease walks among us!
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