The record
In 1990, with correspondents heading into the Gulf War and other conflict zones, Reuters commissioned three special-build armoured vehicles on the Land Rover One Thirty chassis. Doors, windows and body were all armoured — replacing the reinforced glass alone cost around £8,000 — and the occupants got five-point safety harnesses and uprated air conditioning for long deployments. Power came from the 3.5-litre petrol V8 through a 5-speed manual gearbox, hauling the considerable extra weight of the protection. The vehicles went on to serve news crews covering the war-ravaged Balkans and the Middle East.
One of the trio became internationally known on 26 August 2006, when it was hit near the Karni Crossing in the Gaza Strip by a rocket fired from an Israeli helicopter while operating as a clearly marked press vehicle. The projectile came through the roof above the front passenger seat, punched a hole in the floor and lodged in the gearbox; Reuters cameraman Fadel Shana and local journalist Sabbah Hmaida were injured, and Reuters lodged an official complaint with the Israeli authorities. (Shana survived, only to be killed by Israeli tank fire in Gaza in April 2008.) The wrecked Land Rover, still carrying its press markings and battle scars, is displayed in the atrium of the Imperial War Museum, London.
The Heritage Collection's example, G989 VUE (chassis SALLDHAV7FA449135), is believed to be the only one of the three left in driving order, and is maintained fully operational and roadworthy.
