Continuing on with British Week, I thought I would remind everyone that today is St. Patrick’s Day, so I thought I would do a posting about a truck, currently serving in the Irish Armed Forces, that has a British connection. So, put on your green, grab a pint or two, and do a one finger salute to the British as we discover the Leyland DAF T244 GS on this St. Patrick’s Day.


In June 1989 the Leyland DAF 4-ton truck was selected to be the basis of the next generation of trucks used by the British Army. The selection followed a ‘drive off’ contest against designs from all wheel drive Bedford and Volvo Trucks Limited. 20 units of each type were tested over a two year period by the Military Vehicle Engineering Establishment at Borden and Bovington. The initial order was for 5,350 units and production started the same year. These trucks can carry 20 troops or three standard NATO pallets, and may be equipped with a variety of bodies to perform almost any job. The Leyland DAF T244 general utility truck is currently in service with British Army, along with other NATO countries.

The Leyland DAF is powered by a Leyland DAF 310 5.9-liter diesel engine, developing 145 hp, though at another site the engine is described as a Cummins 5.9L diesel. This truck has the option of having either left or right hand drive, and was designed to be directly driven into a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

Can you think of a more fitting way to celebrate British Week, Hooniverse Truck Thursday and St. Patrick’s Day at the same time than with a green Irish military vehicle with British roots? I didn’t think so….
Image Sources: Crusader 80 BAOR Living History Group, milweb.net, Military-Today.com, and Wikipedia.