Read with sadness how after 70 years the Land Rover ~ designed as a farming tool at the outset ~ is to be retired by the military, and how fifty were once adapted as amphibious landing craft.
And eventually rejected as unfeasible, since when there's never been anything like the DUKWs provided by Chevrolet during WW2.
The story since does however lend credence to Dominic Cummings' view (along with that of parliament) that UK procurement is not fit for purpose in peacetime let alone war.
Following Google's trail for instance I discover a competition from a few years ago in search of novel means of amphibious landing:
With a set of barely credible requirements ~ principally regarding range combined with speed:
Emerging from which are the safest bet, in the shape of 'the naval architects you know' who have previously provided pretty pictures of how ships might soon look:
Guaranteeing taxpayer funds to pay salaries whilst building a scale prototype:
And afterward going bust:
Leaving the only amphibious survivor stemming from the UK and provided to the US Marines by BAE Systems... as one designed and built by IVECO in Italy:
(Note suggested range in water is rather less than 350 nautical miles at just 12... coinciding of course with international waters.)
It should be me writing these tenders, few of whose clauses will ever be met.
They would include the following:
* Troops should also be provided red suits which squirt spider's thread
Fear I may be the last man here working on amphibious craft ~ albeit without those passengers about to get shot at.
Ed. The author apologises for any hurt feelings, pointing out God loves a tryer.
