National Service 1976 - Internal Affairs
Some of the special vehicles developed for the war
On the left is the Leopard usually driven by Jim Porter. Behind is the landmine proofed land rover driven
by Alan Nicols aka the Mayor of the Principality of Mukumbura
The ingenious landmine detection vehicle known as a Pookie which used to do daily runs from Mount Darwin
to Pachanza to clear the road as it was commonly known as "landmine alley", having the highest level of
landmine activity in the area. The fat racing tyres did not have enough pressure to detonate a mine whilst
the "flaps" on the side of the vehicle were lowered to provide electronic detection as the vehicle moved
along. The vehicle was powered by a VW engine at the back and only had a one man capacity.
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