Australian Military Vehicles Walkaround

Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 1700 L 4x4 5000kg Truck as used by the Australia Army

The Australian Army ordered some 1295 Unimog 1700L trucks that were produced at the Mercedes-Benz plant at Mulgrave Victoria.  Mercedes-Benz also produced 400 in country for the New Zealand Army.  This version of the Unimog is also used by Canada and Malaysia (400). 

This version is different to the model produced by Revell as kit 03020 Unimog Lkw 2t(onne) tmilgl in 1/35 scale.  The Revell kit represents the   U1300 L with a 3.25m wheelbase rather than the 3.85m wheelbase of the Australian version.

Specifications with 1/35 scale measurement in brackets):

	Remembering that the Revell Unimog is the European version, in that it is a left hand drive and the Australian version is right hand drive.  To model the Australian version the dash and seating needs to be reversed.  The dashboard is accurate just the wrong way around for our version. Note the firs extinguisher and other colours.
	A good view of the dash and the interior colours of the doors and seats.
	Left side jus a little further back - muffler, rear coil springs and wheel pattern are visible.  Note that with the longer rear tray the sides are broken into two short sides rather than one long side.
	The left side of the Unimog just behind the cab.  The spare wheel and toolboxes are seen as is the exhaust pipe.
	Still on the left side, this time behind the rear wheel.  Note the mudguard support, standard tool rack, tow hook mounting and civilian type truck indicator cluster.
	Right side rear. The tailgate has a "step ladder" integral to the tailgate.  There are jerrycan racks as well
	Just forward of the rear right wheel is the brake thingys and the fuel tank.
	Just behind the right side of the cab. Just visible on the left is the fuel tank
	Front of the Unimog 1700 L. Note the number plate (Olive drab on white) ,  the bridging circle on a metal circle and the unit plate.  Looks like crossed swords with "21" above it.   Many but not all of the Australian Unimogs are fitted with a winch.  The brush guard is also visible.
	Same vehicle close up.  The arm or service in low visibility black on green.  In years past this could have been a white 40 on a black square indicating a headquarters unit.
	Close up view of brush guard mounting.
	Inside of the cab that shows the roof hatch and colours.  It is surprising how many colours are actually seen on the inside.
	Roof hatch with hatch open.
	Roof hatch from the outside.  Similar but not the same as the Revell kit.  Of course it is on the other side of the vehicle to the Revell kit.
.	Inside the rear tray with the tarp in place.  The troop seats are in the up position.  The inside of the four sides of the tray are ribbed on the inside
	The cab.  Note the double seat is also a different shape to the kit part.
	The steering wheel and some of the instrumentation
	Left side front
	Rear view of a Unimog 1700 L ( assume "L" stands for lang (long) in German).
	Close up of the Australian Unimog wheel. The hub design is quite a deal different to the German/European kit as portrayed by Revell.

The Revell kit when compared to these photos compares very well to the real thing.