I got this from the sci.military.moderated ng.
I thought it was pretty amazing that the kombi could do this sort of thing... well learnt something new.
----- Original Message ----- From: "The Enlightenment" Newsgroups: sci.military.moderated To: Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2003 4:52 PM Subject: Re: Why isn't Ground Penetrating Radar used to scan for landmines?
The Rhodesians (before they were sold out to the people that run the
> murderous Zimbabwe regime) had an effectve system called the "Pookie" >
> It consisted of a VW Kombi mechanicals. Stripped of everything to make
> it light as possible. (Due to the magnesium alloy air cooled engine
> that was pretty light)
>
> Indianapolis style racing tyres were fitted to reduce ground pressure
> and they were filled with water.
>
> The cabin was made of armoured steel with the sides sloped up to > deflect any blast.
>
> A mine detectors was fitted between the front a rear sets of wheels. >
> Fitting detectors ahead of the vehicle restricts its speed so much
> that effective opperations are impossible.
>
> In opperation the device would travel a speed over the road, any mine
> detected wouldn't detonate under the light vehicle whihc could then
> reverse over the top to localise the mine.
>
> None of the sixty-seven Pookies, built from 1976 to 1980, ever
> detonated a landmine. Twelve Pookies were lost and two drivers killed
> but only by electrically-detonated mines or by RPG7 rockets in
> ambushes ahead of their convoys. One driver was killed by a rocket
> hitting his windscreen, the other by a boosted command detonation
> mine. All the other drivers survived because the V-shaped armoured
> cab, 700 millimeters above the ground, deflected the blasts
> harmlessly.
>
> A world first and combat-tested, the Pookie remains the most effective
> mine-detecting vehicle available. Its Reutech (Barcom) detectors sweep
> a wide path. And soon its effectiveness will be doubled by the
> installation of the newest non-metallic (Ground Probing Radar)
> detecting system to combat the menace of the plastic mine. The Pookie
> is robust, fast and capable of all-weather and 24-hour operation on
> all roads and in open terrain. It is cost-effective, light on fuel,
> and, because it is based on the VW Kombi, spares, replacement engines,
> gearboxes and the like as well as mechanical expertise are available > world-wide.
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