Military Career
Flo was built in 1991 and started her working life soon afterwards with the RAF as an airfield ambulance. Most of her career was spent at RAF Northolt in London. Her service number was 10KK01 and she was usually found wearing a fetching shade of olive drab with blue accessories. Under the bonnet was to be found a 3.5l V8 petrol engine that must have done about
3 miles
to the gallon,
down hill with the wind behind her.
Demob
After discharge in 2003, she was looked
after by a very caring couple and spent a few years attending
various land rover and military shows around the country in
her uniform and then even had a five page spread (with
centrefold?) in one of the many land rover magazines.
Preparation for the Journey around the
Southern Hemisphere
Florence was picked up by us in
Huddersfield on a very wet Saturday morning in January 2008.
Thoughts and ideas for the conversion started then,
particularly modifications to increase the fuel economy and
steady the ride. What followed then was two months of very
intensive thinking before the preparations, conversions and
modifications began slowly in March of the same year. The
first jobs were stripping out the specialised ambulance
fixtures and fittings, including the stretchers, oxygen flow
meters, blue lights, etc.
After stripping out all of the medical
equipment, the "camper" equipment had to be installed. But
first she went away to Lincolnshire for engine and gearbox
conversion to a 300Tdi diesel engine and new gearbox. Whilst
there she got a full power train inspection and overhaul where
necessary. Also, a very welcome and complete respray was
carried out resulting in a very smart new image.
As we are going to depend on Florence for
shelter as well as transport, it is important that we can fit
everything in the back. Here we see the difference in rear
load space between Joe and Flo.
On return to N. Wales, the galley and
toilet/shower room were installed and plans for the
lounge/sleeper were mulled over.
The new Interior is still rather Spartan
and not too unlike the original fit, all very white and
clinical. However new windows were
fitted and a few other bits and bobs too.
All the details will be added
soon.
Selected Pictures will also be added
soon
Its probably
raining
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