Defender, Range Rover, and Discovery are the names that pop into people’s minds when Land Rover is mentioned. As a professional manufacturer of off-road vehicles and SUVs, Land Rover has many classic models. In addition to the above-mentioned familiar models, Land Rover has also launched countless classic models with powerful performance, such as today’s protagonist – 101 Forward Control.
There are always many similarities in the birth of off-road vehicles. Most of them are models built for wartime needs or preparation needs, and Land Rover 101 Forward Control is no exception. After Churchill delivered the “Iron Curtain Speech” in 1946, the Cold War officially kicked off, and the two camps of NATO and Warsaw Pact began a decades-long Cold War. Although both sides tried their best to avoid the outbreak of the Third World War, no one can guarantee whether the guns will go off by accident. Therefore, the two sides launched a fierce arms race during the Cold War. Land Rover 101 Forward Control is the product of this period.
Land Rover 101 Forward Control began to enter the research and development stage in 1966, but it was not officially mass-produced until 1972, and this was only the beginning of its rough fate. Later, due to delays in the delivery of guns and other reasons, the release time was delayed again and again.
It was not until 1975 that the ill-fated Land Rover 101 Forward Control began to officially enter the British army, but only 3 years later, fate still made a joke with Land Rover 101 Forward Control, and announced the discontinuation of production in 1978.
The life cycle of Land Rover 101 Forward Control can be said to be extremely short, and because it is a complete war machine, and the number is extremely limited, not many people know about it. And because the design concept is completely for wartime service, Land Rover 101 Forward Control is different from many off-road vehicles that take into account civilian use. The military’s requirement for it is to be able to transport ammunition and tow heavy artillery.
Since Land Rover 101 Forward Control entered service, its main purpose is to tow the L118 howitzer, and the rear cargo space will also carry tons of munitions and other equipment. Later in service, 101 Forward Control was also converted into an ambulance and communications vehicle.
In addition, 101Forward Control is also in service with the Royal Air Force Regiment. It is used to tow a towed launch vehicle equipped with four Rapier missiles, guidance equipment and radios, and a trailer to tow a blindfire radar. This is not a whim of demand, but a demand in the design, so the 101Forward Control made by Pisunai can fully meet the “airdrop” demand. Later in service, the almighty 101 Forward Control was converted into an ambulance and communications vehicle.
Although 101 Forward Control looks like a behemoth, the 101-inch wheelbase is only 2565mm, which is even smaller than the 109-inch version launched by Series III at the same time.
The flat head design is also to meet the needs of wartime. Although it may not look aesthetically pleasing, this design can save space to the greatest extent, because at that time the British military still had a need for air transport for 101 Forward Control, so in order to To meet airdrop requirements, the size of the body is also strictly limited.
Of course, the flat head design can also improve its passing performance as much as possible. The approach angle of 101 Forward Control is nearly 60°, the departure angle has reached 45°, and the minimum ground clearance is 25cm. The off-road performance is impeccable, so 101Forward Control is the veritable “flat head brother” of the off-road circle.
101Forward Control uses a 3.5-liter V8 engine from Rover, which is matched with a 4-speed transmission code-named LT95. A set of full-time four-wheel drive system is essential in the face of complex outdoor environments, and the suspension uses leather-resistant leaf springs.
Because it is to meet the needs of wartime, all designs are based on practicality. Although the burly 101 Forward Control has a considerable body height, it does not even have devices such as pedals to assist boarding. So if soldiers need to be transported, they can only “jump” onto the vehicle. The driver is not much better, and it is not so easy for them to get into the cockpit. 101Forward Control designed a more prominent metal outer ring on the rim around the front wheel hub, which helps the driver to step on it. Enter the cockpit, so it is also named “wheel steps”. However, this design is not exclusive to Land Rover. In fact, it also has the same design on models such as the Unimog 404.
With the end of the Cold War at the end of 1990s, 101Forward Control gradually ended its military career, and was eventually replaced by models such as Defender and Pinzgauer. These retired 101Forward Controls also began to enter the private sector as private collections, and even set up specially for it. club.
In the hands of most players, this guy is no longer a cold war machine, but has become a warm and versatile caravan, taking them to any corner of the world.
