Larc 5

Ryan · #1 15-01-08, 08:46

Came across this big fellow recently. Was a surprise to me as it's a fairly rare vehicle.

Ryan · #2 15-01-08, 08:49

It is privately owned and the owner wishes to remain anonymous. Does anybody know how many are in private hands?

Ryan · #3 15-01-08, 08:54

According to the owner, it served in Vietnam. After it was disposed of from the Army it served with the SES ( State Emergency Service ).

Richard Coutts-Smith · #4 17-01-08, 10:54

Big are'nt they.
Some brief footage of these surfing in Antartica at the Bandianna Museum, if you ever get up this way. Very seaworthy machine.
Rich

Rod Diery · #5 18-01-08, 08:34

Quote:

Originally posted by rynoki
According to the owner, it served in Vietnam. After it was disposed of from the Army it served with the SES ( State Emergency Service ).

I hate to disillusion anyone but no Aust Army LARCs served in Vietnam.

Cheers
Rod
Ex RAEME Marine Engineer

Rod Diery · #6 18-01-08, 09:01

Quote:

Originally posted by rynoki
Came across this big fellow recently. Was a surprise to me as it's a fairly rare vehicle.

They are not that rare in Australia. The Australia Army operated about 100 of them all up. I'm not sure whether they are out of service now or not.

There are quite a few being used around the country for all sorts of tourist ventures and as workboats.

Rod's excellent military vehicle spotting holiday There a couple of pics of some in this thread.

Cheers
Rod

Ryan · #7 19-01-08, 02:32

Thanks for the info Rod.

gordon · #8 19-01-08, 12:52

I had one, sold it years ago.

If a DUKW is a truck that floats, then a LARC-V is definitely a boat with wheels.

The hull is very nicely constructed, but the drivetrain is a bit of a nightmare - everything looks like it was supposed to be 'swapped-out' rather than 'worked on'

Darned great Cummins diesel and FNR transmission no real problem, but it has a big H drive unit in the middle with driveshafts front and back on each side. You can disengage the front drive on each wheel independently, but since the disc brakes operate on the transmission there goes your front braking.

I'd have another one if it was in good order, but the size, lack of all-round brakes, and lack of suspension means that it really is only suitable for beach operations and should not venture onto the public roads - at least not here in the UK.

I think mine lost its drive train after I sold it, and got John Deere hydraulic hub motors at each wheel station, with the engine being hooked to a big hydraulic pump. Probably a far superior transmission system to the original, but no idea what he did about brakes.