thumb|right|A civilian-owned 101 Forward Control or Land Rover 101FC

thumb|right|Side view of a Land Rover 101FC

thumb|Land Rover 101FC in radio van body configuration

thumb|Land Rover 101FC with Marshall ambulance body

The 101 Forward Control or Land Rover 101FC was a light utility vehicle produced by Land Rover for the British Army. It was not available to the public off the production line, but was as military surplus.

History

The vehicle was primarily produced to meet the Army's requirement for a gun tractor, and was designed to tow a field gun (the L118 Light Gun) with a ton of ammunition and other equipment in the rear load space, giving it the alternative name of the Land Rover One Tonne. The vehicle was designed to be easily transported by air; the positioning of the 3.5 litre Rover V8 engine beneath and to the rear of the cab eliminates the bonnet at the front, making the vehicle more or less cuboid thus reducing unused space in transport aircraft. Of concern was the payload and limited stability, particularly when crossing an incline.

Several of these prop vehicles still exist in driveable condition and these can be seen at Land Rover events.

Custom versions

During the 1990s Malcolm Whitbread of Whitbread Offroad 4x4 obtained four examples of the 101. Three were right-hand drive, one was left-hand drive. The right-hand drive examples were extensively modified for trials or rally use. Modifications included conversion to a coil spring suspension system based on the Range Rover configuration of the time. Disc brakes were also fitted.

The left-hand drive example (UK registration GDP252V) was reconstructed with a hand-built custom chassis as a completely new vehicle. 15” wheels and power-assisted steering were included in the construction. GDP252V was the only left-hand drive Land Rover 101 Forward Control to be registered as a new vehicle.

See also

  • Unimog
  • Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer
  • Jeep Forward Control
  • UAZ-452
  • GAZ-66

References

  • 101 Forward control Club and Register