Other Forward Control Types

Details: Category: Other Forward Control Types; Written by Site Admin

The Series IIa and Series III FC

The Series IIa Forward Control was inspired by the IIa/IIb design, and were based on the series IIa 109" 'One Ton' chassis and drivetrain, but these vehicles were not made by Land Rover. Indeed it appears that these were manufactured by the specialist suppliers like Bates of Evesham, Carmichael, HCB Angus, etc. These were special versions of the FC: Fire Engines, Ambulances and the like, work in which Land Rover did not have the correct expertise. The Series FCs used even more standard series Land Rover parts than the IIa or IIb design. Series III FCs appeared alongside the introduction of the standard Series III vehicles.

You can find out more about the Series III FC fire engines of Northern Ireland on Liam's excellent Fire Engine site.
If you have any more information, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Series III FC Fire Appliance.

Series III FC (Carmichael conversion)

The Royal FC

Iain Stuart Wrote:
Going through an old folder of newspaper articles, I happened across this picture.
A quick check of your site showed nowt. It's from a Daily Express of 1992 vintage - When Princess Anne and Tim got engaged.

FC at Sandringham
Series III FC

The FC 82

The FC82 was built by SMC and was a development of their 139" wheelbase Sandringham Six, this time using the Series III V8 (stage 1) as a base. Built to satisfy a military requirement, the vehicle was made into a forward control configuration, allowing a full platoon to be carried. Back to back seats were fitted facing front and rear and a canvas tilt could be fitted with the tilt frame running down the side of the seats and located in holes in the floor. The floor was aluminium tongued and grooved sections. The rear body was fitted with dropsides and a drop tail. Small lockers were fitted between the rear of the cab and the dropsides, and below the body between the front and rear wheels. The 6X6 used the Sandringham Six’s petrol tank which was specially made to fit above the rear axles and below the body. The 4X4 used the standard Land Rover rear tank.

SMC Engineering had heard about the proposed military requirement for a mainly road-going vehicle, with limited off-road capability, at the 1980 British Army Equipment Exhibition. The Sandringham six had been launched in 1979 and was then adapted into the FC82. It was launched at the 1982 British Army Equipment Exhibition. The 4X4 body was a cut down version of the 6X6 body. The 6x6 troop carrier is in Singapore. Only one of each model was sold.

Land Rover Stage 1 FC Land Rover 6x6 Stage 1 FC
4x4 & 6x6 FC 82.

FC-82

FAC 182 Y as last spotted - May 2011

The 88" FC

Land Rover tinkered with the idea of a short wheelbase series II FC, with an 88 inch wheelbase. Due to their inherent instability (nose heaviness), it never became a full production vehicle. Some examples DO exist, but most are home-built or specialist conversions of the IIa/IIb FCs.

LR 88 inch FC
Land Rover 88" FC.

Alfred Miles

Alfred Miles was one specialist of note who did build 88" FC machines, in pickup or cab/chassis layout. Indeed at least two of these became Dennis fire engine conversions. However, very few 88" FCs of any type were built.

Alfred Miles / Dennis Type M 88 inch FC
Alfred Miles 88" FC - converted to Dennis Type M Fire Engine.