THE Murray at Corowa was yesterday swamped by amphibians of the mechanical kind.
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A fleet of 10 amphibious army jeeps and a sole amphibious leisure craft took to the water for the annual Corowa Swim-In.
They were joined by 130 military vehicles on land for the 30th consecutive annual gathering of Khaki Vehicle Enthusiasts.
Sydney’s Trevor Boyle made a big splash with his 1943 general purpose amphibious jeep which he bought in pieces and restored.
“We have done several trips down the Murray two weeks at a time and we thoroughly enjoy the river,” he said.
“Now we are just looking for a spot to get it in the water today, it’s a bit muddy around the banks but we will get it in.”
All eyes were on the vehicle as it made its way into the water, but the jeep had a bit of trouble making it back up the muddy bank and had to be pulled in with the help of 10 men.
Khaki Vehicle Enthusiasts president Rick Cove said participants came from all over Australia.
“We have one guy here who has brought an armoured vehicle by boat from Tasmania,” he said.
However, it wasn’t just army and military vehicles being paraded, with an amphibious leisure craft also taking to the water.
“Its front wheels act as a rudder and it’s very easy to drive,” driver Boyd Wyatt said.
Brisbane’s Sean O’Donnell, who built the vehicle, described it as a pleasure craft but said it did have a functional purpose.
“This is our first event and we came down here to see more vehicles swimming,” he said.