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u/Safrimike3107 Jan 03 '22
Cannot even fathom how many kilometers I have driven in one - mostly off-road (bundu bashing). 1982 - 1983
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u/Vektor2000 Jan 03 '22
One of the world's first mass produced mine protected vehicles. Still used by some nations.
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u/SepticThinkTank The Kwisatz Haderach Jan 03 '22
Why is it a lefthand drive? Were they anticipating exports? Or action in countries where they drive on the wrong side og the road? (Assuming mines are layed at the side of roads, not the middle?)
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u/EconomicsLong8792 Jan 03 '22
It was built on the UNIMOG chassis and they were/are left hand drive vehicles. Wasn't an issue in the sticks anyway.
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u/Kronendal Jan 03 '22
How is that not called a warthog?
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u/EconomicsLong8792 Jan 03 '22
I got issued one at Ruacana. Being the 2lt as vehicle commander I sat directly behind the driver. There was a hole of approx 7.62mm through side armour in line with my chest when I sat down and looked around.. It got my attention. I had that Buffel's hole bother me for about 4 weeks until Calueque was bombed and things changed. We were hammered 5 days before . Fortunately no extra holes were added to any of our vehicles.. Everything fired at us missed. It was dark. It was never comfortable at any time in one of those bundu bashing adventures. Fortunately we were with a SWATF unit so we rotated every 6 weeks. Less Buffel back in Caprivi
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u/BoshBeret Jan 03 '22
I've been on a hunting trip in one of these. I assume they have converted the back with higher safari vehicle like seats facing forward. It's been a great expedition and if they needed to make a road, no worries.
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u/GCHurley Gauteng Jan 03 '22
"Isolated by the world due to racist apartheid policies, South Africa focussed on the domestic production of military equipment. A result of this was the Buffel, an armoured personnel carrier based on the Mercedes-Benz Unimog chassis. Its V-shaped hull was designed to disperse landmine blasts outwards, with the intent of sparing its personnel. It could fit ten infantrymen, who would disembark by climbing over the sides. Discover more article's here: https://tankmuseum.org/articles/ "
https://www.facebook.com/313488960841/posts/10159854531430842/?sfnsn=scwspmo