Sandy soil
In the south of Angola the sandy soil can be very difficult to maneuver along following deep tracks left by heavily laden trucks, after this road was demined by MgM in 2003. These tracks are something we now have to deal with, these trucks carry much needed food and supplies to villages in the bush. Materials are required to help re-build schools, health clinics and Government Administration buildings.
Even with high lift shock absorbers and winches, the MgM Landcruisers get stuck in heavy sand, requiring wheels and axles to be constantly dug out.
MgM’s managing Director, Hendrik Ehlers looks on as a Wolf III Turbo Mine Proof Vehicle passes by in readiness to tow his car through the worst of the road.
This Wolf III Turbo, build in Windhoek (Namibia, by WMF), is particularly useful to traverse through this terrain. Specifically built for a war time scenario, it has now been used by MgM in many peaceful roles. During support to communities isolated due to the threat of landmines, this vehicle was used to move supplies forward of demined and safe roads. On one occasion it actually drove over, and exploded, and anti-tank mine under the left rear tyre. Nobody was remotely injured and MgM’s mechanics had the this 16 tonne behemoth back in the workshop the same day, and fixed three days later.
It is noticeable how wide the wheel base is, and why light vehicles like the Landcruiser have trouble in deep tracks left i the wake of heavy trucks. It also explains why the “Humvee’ has such a wide wheelbase. This allows it to travel in the tracks of Tanks.
To make sure that the Landcruiser would pass through this shallow lake (Chana), the Wolf kept towing. The Wolf driver knew that just up ahead there was more soft sand.
