M
Mother
Guest
Mud were at Number 1 in the singles charts with 'Lonely this
Christmas', Ralph McTell was pushing at the top spot with 'Streets of
London' at Number 2. President Ford and Secretary Kissinger have said
that in case of strangulation of the West by oil producers, they would
use military force and the Viet Nam war was over. China officially
adopts a new constitution and Margaret Thatcher was only a couple of
weeks off becoming the first woman to lead a UK political party, The
rest, as they say, is history.
Back in London, Ralph McTells streets were the host of another
historical event. On the 15th January 1975 The British Joint Services
Expedition led by Squadron Leader Tom Sheppard set off across
Westminster Bridge to mark the official start of the "West East Sahara
Expedition".
The vehicles were four of the new 101 Military 1 Tonne Forward
Control Land Rovers specifically modified both at Rover in the
Solihull works and then by the RAF at Uxbridge. The lead vehicle (60
FL 38) was the very first production model off the line. The other
three (76 FL 64, 76 FL 65 and 76 FL 66) were fitted with the optional
trailer drive. All were fitted with Michelin 900x16 XS tyres.
This was the very first time the 1 Tonne was to be seriously tested.
Not a dry run over Salisbury Plain, no rolling roads, concrete blocks
or drop tests could prepare either vehicles or team for what was to be
an incredible and outstanding adventure.
On 26th January they left Dakar carrying 900 Gallons of fuel and 340
Gallons of water. Average load per vehicle was 2,553lbs, 43lbs over
their original assesment of capacity. Team members were allowed a
50lb personal kit allowance. The expedition took 100 days, covered
7,494 miles with 288 navigational stops, 609 gravitational readings,
Geophysical, Geological and zoological studies (including analysis of
the life cycle of the Bilharzia Blood Fluke). The team survived on a
mere 4,000 cups of tea!
Weepages and seepages from, amongst others, steering box, swivel pin
housing seals, bell housing drain hole, gearbox and transfer box
together with engines overheating, problems with black plastic swarf
in the carburettors and a number of loose bolts were to set the
scene for what has become a 30 year love-hate relationship with what,
notwithstanding, is surely the finest of the superb range of products
to emerge from Lode Lane. Incredibly, their 101s only needed one oil
change, in Nigeria.
Due to organisational logistics the team postponed their Christmas
until the 13th of February.
Many will have seen Pete Bradys quite superb film: The Widest Beach
in the World (shameless plug, this is available on the copy of the
101 Club Video). Carefully documenting the journey, Ive been showing
this film on my wide screen field cinema on the club stand for the
last couple of years during various shows. No matter how many times I
see it, it continues to capture my attention and I can always
guarantee an assembled audience of young and old, in all weather,
glued to the screen.
To celebrate and mark the expedition, a few members intend to
informally gather on the 15th of January in London and drive across
Westminster Bridge (being a Saturday the congestion charge does not
apply). A further informal event the 101 Christmas Dinner,
obviously to be held on the 13th of February (if possible, duplicating
the original fare) has also been suggested. If any member would like
to join us for either event, please contact me directly for
arrangements on 0114 255 4101 or by email.
Christmas', Ralph McTell was pushing at the top spot with 'Streets of
London' at Number 2. President Ford and Secretary Kissinger have said
that in case of strangulation of the West by oil producers, they would
use military force and the Viet Nam war was over. China officially
adopts a new constitution and Margaret Thatcher was only a couple of
weeks off becoming the first woman to lead a UK political party, The
rest, as they say, is history.
Back in London, Ralph McTells streets were the host of another
historical event. On the 15th January 1975 The British Joint Services
Expedition led by Squadron Leader Tom Sheppard set off across
Westminster Bridge to mark the official start of the "West East Sahara
Expedition".
The vehicles were four of the new 101 Military 1 Tonne Forward
Control Land Rovers specifically modified both at Rover in the
Solihull works and then by the RAF at Uxbridge. The lead vehicle (60
FL 38) was the very first production model off the line. The other
three (76 FL 64, 76 FL 65 and 76 FL 66) were fitted with the optional
trailer drive. All were fitted with Michelin 900x16 XS tyres.
This was the very first time the 1 Tonne was to be seriously tested.
Not a dry run over Salisbury Plain, no rolling roads, concrete blocks
or drop tests could prepare either vehicles or team for what was to be
an incredible and outstanding adventure.
On 26th January they left Dakar carrying 900 Gallons of fuel and 340
Gallons of water. Average load per vehicle was 2,553lbs, 43lbs over
their original assesment of capacity. Team members were allowed a
50lb personal kit allowance. The expedition took 100 days, covered
7,494 miles with 288 navigational stops, 609 gravitational readings,
Geophysical, Geological and zoological studies (including analysis of
the life cycle of the Bilharzia Blood Fluke). The team survived on a
mere 4,000 cups of tea!
Weepages and seepages from, amongst others, steering box, swivel pin
housing seals, bell housing drain hole, gearbox and transfer box
together with engines overheating, problems with black plastic swarf
in the carburettors and a number of loose bolts were to set the
scene for what has become a 30 year love-hate relationship with what,
notwithstanding, is surely the finest of the superb range of products
to emerge from Lode Lane. Incredibly, their 101s only needed one oil
change, in Nigeria.
Due to organisational logistics the team postponed their Christmas
until the 13th of February.
Many will have seen Pete Bradys quite superb film: The Widest Beach
in the World (shameless plug, this is available on the copy of the
101 Club Video). Carefully documenting the journey, Ive been showing
this film on my wide screen field cinema on the club stand for the
last couple of years during various shows. No matter how many times I
see it, it continues to capture my attention and I can always
guarantee an assembled audience of young and old, in all weather,
glued to the screen.
To celebrate and mark the expedition, a few members intend to
informally gather on the 15th of January in London and drive across
Westminster Bridge (being a Saturday the congestion charge does not
apply). A further informal event the 101 Christmas Dinner,
obviously to be held on the 13th of February (if possible, duplicating
the original fare) has also been suggested. If any member would like
to join us for either event, please contact me directly for
arrangements on 0114 255 4101 or by email.
