Dartmoor’s oldest mountain rescue vehicle set to retire after years of service

A Land Rover that has spent more than three decades working with Mountain Rescue teams across England and Wales will retire next month after completing hundreds of callouts.

Known as Dart 51, the 32-year-old vehicle will make its final journey onto Dartmoor on 7 December 2025, where it will take part in a ceremonial “Final Tor” before handing over its call sign to North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team’s new replacement vehicle.

The Land Rover first entered service in 1993, after Lake District benefactor Ada Hillard funded its purchase for Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team; the vehicle was later named ‘Ada’ in her honour.

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In 2008, Langdale Ambleside sold the Land Rover to North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (NDSART), where it has remained ever since.

Now at 32 years old, the team says the vehicle’s age and increasing mechanical demands mean it is no longer suitable for modern emergency work.

A spokesperson said the changing nature of callouts, including regular journeys along the A30, through Exeter, and as far as Plymouth, had made it clear that Dart 51 “is no longer fit for purpose and deserves a quiet retirement.”

During more than three decades in Mountain Rescue, the Land Rover has:

• Attended over 400 callouts,
• Supported the Ten Tors event every year since 2008
• Assisted in the evacuation of World War II ordnance in Exeter and Plymouth
• Played a key role during the 2018 ‘Beast from the East’ snowstorm around Okehampton.

ABOVE: After 32 years within Mountain Rescue England and Wales the well-loved Land Rover is retiring (Credit: NDSART)

NDSART said the vehicle holds the distinction of being the oldest working Land Rover in Mountain Rescue England and Wales at the time of its retirement.

In a statement, the North Dartmoor Search and Rescue team said:

“After 32 years within Mountain Rescue England and Wales, with the honour of being the oldest working Land Rover within the organisation, Dart 51 is entering retirement. 

“We would like to extend our thanks to all those who have contributed to the purchase and refit of the team’s new Land Rover, soon to become the new Dart 51.”

The team will announce further details about the retirement event closer to the date.