VU09 0VV is a Toyota Hilux with the Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service. Mountain rescue is mainly run by volunteers but this is a government-provided service. On the front it displays a big towing winch and in the back is the rescue equipment.
The rear view of the Mountain Rescue vehicle displaying the yellow and red chevrons.
GV10 NTN This Honda SH 125 is used by a medical courier company to transport urgent blood amongst other things. It is rare to see an operational “emergency” vehicle carrying learner plates.
SERV, Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers, have marked up this mini moto in their colours and fitted blue flashing lights. The bike is used for publicity purposes only.
A close up look at a remote controlled robot used for bomb disposal work. The tracked vehicle stands at waist height and has a camera, tools and a large arm with pincer.
YK10 AEO and YK10 AJO are a pair of Honda CRVs used for emergency doctor work. They carry a simple yellow stripe down the side and green flashing lights on the roof and front grille.
A closer look at AJO.
A closer look at AEO.
The rear view, showing the wording that is the only clue to the vehicles’ use.
JDY 125Y This 1982 Range Rover ambulance is operated by Venturers Search and Rescue. It is fitted with a winch and double blue flashing light on the roof.
The winch is shown in use here as a team member extends it to assist in a very snowy environment.
BV09 FYN This is a Ford Mondeo estate that is used by Serco to provide out-of-hours emergency doctors to the NHS in Cornwall.
The rear view, showing the high visibility markings.
LD60 GWC This is a Formula One safety car. It is a 571-horsepower Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. This gull wing-doored car was new for the 2010 season and is driven by Bernd Maylander.
The rear view and driver, courtesy of the official press release.
This is a Porsche Panamera safety car. It is a larger car with four doors and is fitted with the usual amber flashing light bar on the roof. Shown here is the vehicle used by the BTCC in 2010.
A Ginetta G40 in white is shown here. It is used as a safety car for Ginetta and Ginetta Juniors races.
The rear view of the car.
This is a Porsche Carrera Cup safety car, a Porsche Carrera 4S.
The rear view.
This yellow Renault Megane RS is used as a safety car for Renault Clio Cup and Formula Renault UK races.
The rear view of the 2.0 litre 250 bhp Megane.
This coastguard boat is moored at Hugh Town, Isles of Scilly, for use by the part-time crew. Notice the small blue flashing light above the cabin.
P462 WCG This is a 1996 Nissan Terrano II used by HM Coastguard on the island of Tresco, Isles of Scilly. Still operational in 2011, this 4×4 is one of a small number of motorised vehicles on the island. A small white tube can be seen connected to the front which keeps the battery topped up.
The rear view.
This is a trailer towed by the Terrano above. It is in the usual Coastguard colours and carries additional rescue equipment. If required it can be towed by other vehicles.
This lifeboat in the RNLB The Whiteheads which is a Mersey Class vessel based at St. Mary’s on the Isles of Scilly. It has a range of 250 nautical miles.
The stern view of the life-saving craft, showing the lightweight crane to launch and recover a small Y-boat.
The small boat used to access the moored lifeboat.
MK08 FYY Oldham Council operates this Mitsubishi Shogun as part of thier First Response Team. It carries a dark brown and yellow battenburg pattern, very similar to Highways Agency Traffic Officers. This is one of six 4×4 response vehicles they operate.
The Mitsubishi being used to reach snow-bound residents around Oldham. Photo courtesy of Oldham Council.
HF57 HRR This is a Coastguard Search and Rescue Nissan Navara. It is fitted with four flashing blue LEDs on the grille.
The rear view. Notice the absence of additional blue lights on the rear.
XLJ 997S In this dramatic shot, a Volvo C303 belonging to The League of Venturers Search and Rescue reaches the top of a steep hill of loose dirt on a training exercise.
A clearer look at the vehicle which carries blue lights.
K249 ROR This is a Lifeguard Toyota Hilux Surf. It carries a winch on the front and a clear light bar on the roof with “rescue” wording.
The rear view showing the “ambulance” markings and the high visibility spare tyre cover.
A look at the wording and logo on the side of the Hilux.
DX03 LML This Ford Mondeo estate is marked as an emergency vehicle. It also has Parks Patrol and Dog Section wording. It is operated by Emergency Services Support, a private security company.
Here is the same Mondeo in its previous life as a Staffordshire police car.
Venturers Search and Rescue operate this beach rescue rib which is towed by a all-terrain vehicle. It has a small blue strobing beacon mounted on the roll bar.
K119 NAS is a Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team Land Rover which is primarily a communications vehicle. It is sponsored by Glenfiddich Scotch whisky.
AB 53 AB This DAF LF is a bomb disposal truck with the Royal Logistics Corps. It is seen here with additional signage taped to the sides and rear to advertise a sponsored cycle race.
Here is the rear view of the truck.
RK10 YHU Doctors and other medics at Silverstone race circuit use this temporarily marked-up Honda Accord as a medical car. The magnetic signs and blue lights can easily be removed.
The rear view of the Accord.
This Mercedes Benz C63 AMG estate is used in Formula One races around the world as the medical car. It is driven by driven by Dr Jacques Tropenat and also carries FIA’s chief medical delegate, Dr Gary Hartstein and medical equipment. The 6.3-litre V8 car has been described as the fastest ambulance on the planet and Mercedes have improved it over the road-going version. It is seen here on a demonstration run with two photographers hanging out of it.
NV09 CCD This VW Crafter is used by the Highways Agency to provide extra equipment at road collisions or other major incidents.
The rear view, showing a major asset of this vehicle: a large variable message matrix sign that folds up from the roof. Notice how the chevron markings on the rear continue down both sides of the van to make it’s overall high visibility livery.
This is all weather lifeboat Gough Ritchie II, a Trent Class vessel. It was new to Port St. Mary in 1998 and cost £1.2m.
R1 TOW This Subaru Impreza is used by D&G Cars as a track-side motorsport recovery car.
M11 TOW This Land Rover Discovery is also used by D&G cars and is fitted with a winch to help remove racing cars from gravel traps.
This VW Caddy is used as a bee response unit by an organisation called the Bee Operational Guidance United Society. This newly united society responds to swarms of bees to protect the public and to protect the bees as they are in decline. Manned by two beekeepers, the van is fitted with a personalised registration plate which reads “buzz off”. An appropriate black and yellow colourscheme has been adopted.
The VW is fitted with blue flashing lights after a special dispensation was allowed as the team often travel long distances across the country chasing bees.
The rear view, including one of the crew. Both crew members wear the suits at all times, including when in the vehicle. In the rear is emergency bee equipment including more protective suits, warning signs and honey pots.
In the official press release, chairwoman April Fursed said “Since we were endorsed by the Queen and Sting, we’ve been buzzing. Before getting this van, workers were bumbling along responding on the fly. We’ve now hived together enough funds to take the sting out of buying it.”.
This vehicle was an April Fool!