| Four Wheel Drive History. |
Land Rover 
After the Second World War there was a shortage of steel and as such the creators of the first Land Rover had to use a metal alloy called Birmabright which combined magnesium and aluminium. The advantageous property of this metal was that it was rustproof and ideal for use in off-road conditions. Birmabright was also much lighter than steel, which improved the performance without compromising structural integrity. Aluminium was harvested from aircraft which were surplus to requirements after the war and the weather resistant properties of the Land Rovers construction upon its release in 1948 were able to build a reputation for reliability and durability which is still held today.Post-war surplus also dictated the colouring of the first Land Rovers, with left over cockpit paint resulting in a majority of vehicles getting a coat of green paint. An advertising campaign by Land Rover claimed in the past that three quarters of all vehicles every produced under the Land Rover brand were still in use, which is debateable but impressive if true. Land Rover was recently bought by Indian car manufacturer Tata after its previous owner Ford sought to sell up in 2007. Several Land Rovers have been developed specifically for used by the British Armed Forces at the behest of the Ministry of Defence. This line up includes the Snatch Land Rover which was first made available in 1992 and is still in service in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Troops use this vehicle as an all-purpose patrol car in areas where the threat of enemy contact is minimal. Land Rover also produced amunition carriers such as the 101, which was designed to pull a field gun into battle with a ton of ammunition stowed in the rear. 101s were decommissioned in the 90s, but their legacy lives on in Land Rover enthusiast circles. 
Out side of its military use, Land Rovers have been at the heart of civilian projects and expeditions throughout their history. The main reason for their popularity on top of their durability is their actual off-road performance. If a Land Rover with a short wheel base is used it can climb 45 degree gradients and all Land Rovers are known for their ability to provide traction on very uneven surfaces thanks to excellent axel articulation. Modern Land Rovers continue to be chosen over competitors because they can haul a heavy load and have good fuel consumption figures. A standard model with a diesel engine can be used to travel deep into uncharted territory for 10 days by carrying all of the food and fuel that is needed on board, covering distances of two and a half thousand miles. So anyone looking for cheap holidays with an adventurous twist will certainly benefit from renting a Land Rover.
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Ditch Crossing
Email adventures@dora4x4.com Phone 00 33 (0) 553 74 01 91 Portable 00 33 (0) 603 21 82 77 U.K. 0844 2326867 (direct switch to France 3p. per minute)
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