Latin American Military - Equipment - Shortland Mk.2

www.LAMilitary.org

LAMilitary Site Map

LAMilitary's Search

What's new? Powered by FreeFind

Subscribe to the LAMilitary E-Mail: LAMilitary's Archive

Revised: July 19, 2010
Copyright © 1997-2010 by Jean Charles Barroux

Shortland Mk.2

The Royal Ulster Constabulary of Belfast began experimenting with armoured Land Rovers in the early 60s for police patrol and internal security duties and after a number of experiments and tests a design was approved for production by the Short Brothers & Harland on the basis of a Land Rover chassis. Thus Shortland stands for Shorts Land Systems. Versions start with the original Mk.1 to be followed by the Mk.2, Mk.3, Mk.4 and Mk.5, mostly different on the Land Rover chassis used.

In October 1965 the original Mk.1 Shorland Armoured Patrol Car was in production based on the 109 in wheel base Series IIA Land Rover. It used a military chassis with heavy-duty axle and suspension. The turret gun was a .300 inch Browning machine gun, and a single fuel tank carrying 14 gallons (64 litres). Optional extras included a second fuel tank, extractor fan and smoke dischargers. Powered by a 2,286 cc 4-cylinder petrol engine, it produced 67 bhp at 4000 rpm. The armour measures 7.25 mm to 8.25 mm depending on the particular unit of Mk.1. Production figure for Mk.1 was about 100.

The Mk.2 version had the armour increased from 7.25 mm to 8.25 mm in all units. The only difference seems to be an increase in engine power to 77 bhp at 4000 rpm and it was also based on the Series IIA Land Rovers. Production figure was about 50.

The early Mk.3 version was based on Series IIA Land Rovers but the bulk of Mk.3 Shorlands were on Series III Land Rovers using a 2625 cc 6-cylinder petrol engine developing 91 bhp at 4100 rpm.

In 1996 British Aerospace Australia, now Tenix Defense Systems, bought the Shortland line. Current production models are known as the Series 5 with the armoured patrol car designated S52.

This Armoured Patrol Car was used in Argentina by the Policía Federal Argentina.

Designation: Shortland Mk.2
Manufacturer: Shortland, E.U. (U.K.)
Role: Armoured Patrol Car
Crew: 3
Chassis: Lan Rover
Configuration: 4 x 4
Empty Weight: --- kg
Combat Weight: --- kg
Maximum Load: 3,360 kg
Length: 4.60 m
Width: 1.78 m
Height: 2.29 m
Ground Clearance: ---- m
Track: --- m
Wheelbase: --- m
Maximum Speed: 80 km/h (road)
Range: 322 km
Vertical Obstacle: --- m
Trench: --- m
Gradient: --- %
Side Slope: --- %
Fuel Capacity: --- lts
Fording: ---- m
Engine: 1 x Rover 4-cylinders gasoline 
Power Output: 77 hp @ 4,100 rpm
Gearbox: ---
Clutch: ---
Transfer Box: ---
Steering: ---
Turning Circle: --- m
Suspension: ---
Tyres: ---
Electrical System: --- V
Armour: Steel 8.25 mm lateral and 5 mm on top
Armament: 1 x 7.62 mm Browning 300 MG
Ammunition: ---
Year: 1965
Cost: ---
Notes: Out of production.
Version: 1.0

Bibliography