Similar in appearance to the Model 88 of which it was effectively a long-wheelbase variant, the 1 - tonne Santana vehicle was identified as the Model 109 Militar, and was produced in both military and civilian versions. It was initially based on the Series IIA and then ultimately on the Series III. Buyers had a choice of the same 2,286cc four-cylinder petrol or diesel engines as were used in the Model 88, or a locally-produced 3,429cc six-cylinder petrol or diesel unit. All versions shared the same four-speed gearbox and two-speed transfer case. Two fuel tanks gave a capacity of 25 gallons (127 litre), which resulted in a greatly increased range of operation.
It shared the curious flattened frontal appearance of the smaller Model 88 with its recessed headlamps and cutaway wheel arches. From the scuttle aft the vehicles were pure Land Rover.
The standard military variant was the basic eight to 10-seat troop or cargo carrier, available with either a hardtop or soft-top; it was also used as a weapons mount. There was also a communications vehicle available equipped with a hardtop, screened electrical equipment, oil cooler, and 50Ah or 90Ah alternators, fitted to suit a number of different radio configurations. A light recovery version had a folding 2,204lb (1,000kg) electrically-operated jib mounted in the cargo area. There was also an ambulance with a similar over-sized four-stretcher body to the standard British ambulances.
Like the Model 88, there was also a snorkel-equipped deep-wading version available and examples of this were used by the Spanish Marines.
The Model 109 entered production in 1973, and was supplied to the Armies of Spain, Egypt and Morocco. More than 2,000 vehicles were completed when production ceased with the end of Land Rover’s involvement in 1990.
World History
