Many specialist variants were also built; including recovery vehicles, mobile workshops, radio vans and cable layers.

The Home Office also purchased a large number of these vehicles, kept in reserve for any national emergency.

In Australia, R series Bedfords were used during the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s by Victoria's Country Fire Authority (CFA).

Considerably larger and with greater water capacity than CFA's standard Bedford, Leyland, BMC, Austin and International brand rural fire attack tankers, they were spread thinly throughout the state to bolster their smaller workmates.

They were fitted with rear-mounted, British-built Godiva pumps rated at approximately 2,250 litres per minute output.

Seating compartment provided with rain/sun tarpaulin cover supported by steel-tube frame.

The handed-down Bedford and the replacement Mercedes were referred to as the "3-tonner" by Singapore Armed Forces personnel.

The New Zealand Army used the RL GS, Tipper, Recovery and Mobile workshops versions.