The ‘Pink Panther’ was effectively a private development... Land Rover supplied standard production vehicles, which were modified by Marshalls of Cambridge. Land Rover made such vehicles available as a standard option with the introduction of the special operations vehicle (SOV) in 1992, and the multi-role combat vehicle (MRCV) in 1993.
Actually, there was also a ‘missing link’. In the latel980s, heavily-modified Defender 110 ‘desert patrol vehicles’ (DPV) started to enter British Army service. Superficially resembling the ‘Pink Panthers’, the DPV lacked doors, a windscreen, top and frame. The distinctive body was that of the civilian high-capacity pick-up truck. An external roll-over bar was fitted behind the front seats. There were additional fuel tanks, as well as generous stowage capacity for additional petrol and water jerrycans, ammunition and personal kit. A pair of 7.62mm GPMGs were mounted in the rear, with a third pedestal-mounted on the scuttle; there were also bumper-mounted smoke dischargers.
The standard power unit was the 3.5-litre V8 petrol engine, and the suspension was uprated.
Like the ‘Pink Panther’, the DPV was assembled by Marshalls of Cambridge,
Above: The multirole combat vehicle, or rapid deployment vehicle was initially available using the Defender 90.110 or 130 chassis and incorporated a machine gun ring mount on the roll cage. (TM)
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