This page is intended for a growing analysis (er, list!) of interesting gadgets, tools and vehicles used by the author, and their place in the storylines. It is also where details of sales figures, and the like, may appear...

For example...

These British-made off-roaders began life back in the late 40's, as so many new vehicles did during the mini-boom after the second world war. They are typically British but seen all over the world, and although there were other popular 4x4's before them - the American Jeep for example - not many have stood the test of time. This is probably mainly due to the construction technique. Although the Landrover chassis was made from rust-prone conventional steel, the bodywork was aluminium. It has to be said that the choice of this lightweight, but durable material was forced on the Rover company because of the post-war shortage of suitable steel. However it's lasting advantage is that there are many ancient Landrovers still on the roads - and in the fields - today.

The vehicle figured large in many storylines by Desmond Bagley, offering the hero transport over rough terrain, and even a place to live in at times.

Stories that make conspicuous use are:

Landslide

The Spoilers

Running Blind

Flyaway

Windfall

Hurricanes

Glaciers

Thixtropic Clay

Cenotes

Geysirs

Avalanches

Manganese Nodules

Electronic Gadgets That Do Nothing - At All!

Train Sets Used As Computers

The series was published in a total of 22 'foreign' languages (out of respect for any viewers other than those with English as a first language, I just mean 'not English' editions). These were:

The only figures I have come across state that by the time of Flyaway, in the late 70's, sales had exceeded 10 million copies