All the toys

[Lang]

First time I have had all the toys together. I know, there are a couple of non-MLU ring-ins.

Lang

[Hanno Spoelstra]

The one on the left I don’t recognize, the Fiat 124 Spider is a good choice for a non-military vehicle

[Tim Lovelock]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

The one on the left I don’t recognize, the Fiat 124 Spider is a good choice for a non-military vehicle

Hi Hanno,
The one on the left is an Oka, custom made I believe in Western Australia,
I’m sure Lang will fill you in on the components.
Cheers Tim

[Lang]

Hanno

As Tim says it is an Australian built OKA. The name does not mean anything but derives from the slang word Ocker - an Australian yobbo. = American Red Neck.

Only 500 were built in Perth during the 90's for mine work, emergency services, outback off-road bus tours and general exploration.

They are an outstanding vehicle, if a bit underpowered with their Perkins 110 turbo (same as Reynolds Boughton RB44). All came with full roll-over protection and have the best ride ever on rough roads - leave a Unimog or even a Landcruiser for dead on corrugated/washboard road.

The reason most of them are still going after 20 years very hard work is everything is off the shelf - Perkins engine, Dana/Spicer gearbox, New Process transfer, Dana axles etc and they just get rebuilt. Lots still working as 14 seat desert tour buses but most now converted to campers like mine.

The Australian Army tested them and gave them top marks but the company did not have the capacity to produce a couple of thousand vehicles in a short time so Mercedes got the contract.

Photo below of mine (we have been all over Australia including remote desert crossings). I have 1,500km range and 200l of water. Run just under 5 ton. All OKA's came with a heavy winch and crash certified bull bar (kangaroo bar, brush bar, crash bar or whatever you call it)


Here is a video of the Australian Army testing the OKA. If you go to the other Youtube videos on the side bar of this movie you will see lots of OKA fun in outback Australia (why women operators waving the camera around need to shout into the microphone has me puzzled).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Lhparijfc

[Luigi Manes]

Is the tug a Clarktor issued to RAAF in WW2?

[Lang]

Yes it is Luigi, Engine side panels are off a 1950's model but still all original with its Dodge side valve 6. Seat, flashing light and headlights so it can be used on a modern airfield.

[Luigi Manes]

Thank You! I asked because I remember a picture, maybe the one You posted, which shows a Clarktor Tug in service with a RAAF Squadron in the Middle East during WW2.

Luigi

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Lang

As Tim says it is an Australian built OKA.

Thanks Lang, they look like a very interesting vehicle!

Hanno