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Land Rover Lightweight Series Three 1974 & half scale jeep - owned by Peter Clarke
 This Land Rover Lightweight Series Three was produced for the Royal Air Force in 1974 and served with Strike Command at RAF Coningsby until 1985 when it was demobbed. The Lightweight was designed to be stripped down to the bare minimum so it could be lifted by the helicopter of the time, the Westland Wessex. They were so successful that they were kept in production even after more powerful helicopters were introduced and “normal” Land Rovers could be airlifted. My Lightweight was acquired in September 2004 and restored during following winter. It is painted in 1991 Gulf War markings and resembles an actual Lightweight which served in that war.
There are some who say that Peter Clarke and his father-in-law Dennis Reyland meant to make the Jeep this size. Some, however, think it was the result of a mix-up over inches and centimetres!
The Jeep is scratch-built using a Dexion chassis, aluminium, steel, wheels from a Vespa scooter and wheelbarrows, and an electronically-braked 24-volt motor system from a disability scooter. Measurements were taken from Peter's own 1942 Ford GPW, which he owned 1985-95, and simply halved.
The little Jeep is a favourite with children at shows (even big kids, as the picture shows) and is transported in the back of Peter's Land Rover Lightweight, pictured elsewhere on this page.
Peter Clarke
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