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roy kinsella

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  1. Hey Gareth good to see you mate! I hope you of all people like the Piglet. Thanks for all your help. It was such an interesting subject for me to research and build. I would have been pretty stumped for answers without this website and the likes of you, Clive and the guys helping out. Why someone has not published a book on Britsh ARMY vehicles in N.Ireland yet is beyond me.. I know David Dunne wrote a fantastic book on RUC Vehicles but the Army wagons are just as intriguing! I've built built 3 Piglets now and have two more to go before I take a breather on the subject. Here's another I recently finished, I know it says HVVPK below but its an obvious missprint, I meant it to be VPK Anyway Yep I'll be with my piglet and other bits at Telford at the weekend. Sat & Sun. This will be in the competition and I'm judging other categories there too so you'll catch me at one of the tables there on Sat. Hopefully I might even catch a brew with you. KR Roy
  2. Finally, better late than never! A SUPER BIG thanks to everyone who helped me here during the build. Without all your patience and assistance guys I would never have found all the information and pictures I was looking for! Here are is the finished results (& now I'm off to my next project a UDR Shorland APC MK.III) Kind regards, Roy
  3. Hi Guys I was here in 2010 and found your site so helpful, I'm hoping that some of you guys can help me close some chapters on a project I'm researching. Below are a list of niggling things that I would love some answers to, fingers crossed someone can help; 1. I am DESPERATE to find IN-SERVICE photos of late "Factory Fitted" Piglets in N.Ireland. You wouldn't believe how rare these are!! Of the hundreds I've collected from the Late 1980's to the early 1990's, most are likely late VPK Landy's. (I even have found a clean VPK from Belfast 1992) I have hundreds more of Private restored Piglets and others awaiting disposal or scrap but barely any IN-SERVICE photos! :nut: 2. Late VPK kits were heavilly modified and looked similar to "factory fitted" Piglets with the naked untrained eye. Would I be correct by saying that the term PIGLET genuinely referes to the latter "factory fitted" 109 only. I'm aware Squadies possibly called all these armoured 109's Piglets but the VPK variant was just that "VPK" and should not be called a piglet? 3. Regarding the MAKROLON armoured screens which are on top beside the roof hatch. I have seen numerous RESTORED Piglets with this feature added. I have also seen photos of these screens present on vehicles rotting in junk yards. However I have never seen ANY photos of these actually IN-SERVICE. Is it possible that this feature may have been the last modification that the Piglet saw before it was retired? & could it have been fitted after it was withdrawn from service and put in storage as a reserve or Auxilliary patrol vehicle? 4. Following the same theme as above I am also unable to confirm the use or existance of the front fender protection kit seen on restored private Piglets. This is the solid frame protection kit with the inner mesh. It hangs from the front bumper and almost touches the ground. Again I have no photos and wonder about its accuaracy. (I have pictures of vehicles rotting in yards but still no evidence they were used on Active Duty). 5. Would I be correct by saying all "factory fitted" Piglets had the following obvious visual details in comparisson to late VPK kits (which also appear to still be in service in the late 80's and early 90's) FRONT armoured Windsheild frame. One piece heavy Armoured Doors with Makrolon Armoured screens protruding (not mesh as a rule) Air Vent on Passanger side front wing (shielded) rear of wheel arch & forward of passenger door. One piece armoured rear door (no windows) Mess Grill covering engine frame (no standard vent cover behind mesh as seen on VPK's) small armoured plate rear of the cab doors just forward of the rear wheel arches. cylindrical vent on roof instead of the spare tyre mount. I would really appreciate any help guys, particulary photos! Kind Regards, Roy
  4. Hi Guys I'm back and need your help again! For those of you who patiently helped me back in 2010 with all my questions and followed my thread I just want to say a big thanks but also sorry for not finishing this project. Life got in the way & I had some other modelling distractions but I'm back to finish what I started and I'm really looking forward to the build! I've just finished a circa 1978 Stripped down VPK with Claribel Radar and I loved researching the project! http://www.flickr.com/photos/activearmour/7785093570/in/photostream/ Although I've been away for almost 3 years I've spent a considerable amount of time studying the VPK and Piglet development and consider myself pretty confident with the subject now :red: I still however have a few niggling little problems that I want to try resolve and finally close before I can move on to completing this project. I'm hoping with the passing of 3 years that maybe new information, new members and even new photographs have come to light and just maybe someone here can help me. What I'm having trouble with is the following; 1. I am DESPERATE to find IN-SERVICE photos of late "Factory Fitted" Piglets in N.Ireland. You wouldn't believe how rare these are!! Of the hundreds I've collected from the Late 1980's to the early 1990's, most are likely late VPK Landy's. (I even have found a clean VPK from Belfast 1992) I have hundreds more of Private restored Piglets and others awaiting disposal or scrap but barely any IN-SERVICE photos! :nut: 2. Late VPK kits were heavilly modified and looked similar to "factory fitted" Piglets with the naked untrained eye. Would I be correct by saying that the term PIGLET genuinely referes to the latter "factory fitted" 109 only. I'm aware Squadies possibly called all these armoured 109's Piglets but the VPK variant was just that "VPK" and should not be called a piglet? 3. Regarding the MAKROLON armoured screens which are on top beside the roof hatch. I have seen numerous RESTORED Piglets with this feature added. I have also seen photos of these screens present on vehicles rotting in junk yards. However I have never seen ANY photos of these actually IN-SERVICE. Is it possible that this feature may have been the last modification that the Piglet saw before it was retired? & could it have been fitted after it was withdrawn from service and put in storage as a reserve or Auxilliary patrol vehicle? 4. Following the same theme as above I am also unable to confirm the use or existance of the front fender protection kit seen on restored private Piglets. This is the solid frame protection kit with the inner mesh. It hangs from the front bumper and almost touches the ground. Again I have no photos and wonder about its accuaracy. (I have pictures of vehicles rotting in yards but still no evidence they were used on Active Duty). 5. Would I be correct by saying all "factory fitted" Piglets had the following obvious visual details in comparisson to late VPK kits (which also appear to still be in service in the late 80's and early 90's) FRONT armoured Windsheild frame. One piece heavy Armoured Doors with Makrolon Armoured screens protruding (not mesh as a rule) Air Vent on Passanger side front wing (shielded) rear of wheel arch & forward of passenger door. One piece armoured rear door (no windows) Mess Grill covering engine frame (no standard vent cover behind mesh as seen on VPK's) small armoured plate rear of the cab doors just forward of the rear wheel arches. cylindrical vent on roof instead of the spare tyre mount. I would really appreciate any help guys, particulary photos! Kind Regards, Roy
  5. Hi Gareth! Thanks for the post, I havn't dropped off the face of the planet yet anyway I've three projects on the go at the moment now. I'm building a 1/35th Panhard M3 VTT APC over on armorama along with your Piglet. I started up the Build Log for the Piglet on March 30th over on armorama, check it out if you get time http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=155903#1307805 I built up the chasis and main body and got some drawings done. then I got slowed down by preparing some models for two Irish Model shows that I entered, which took place in April & May (IPMS & IMSS respectfully). A few weeks ago I attended a Military Show in a place called the Curragh here and met two interesting blokes from Belfast, one of the guys John was very helpful and a wealth of knowledge and allowed me get my paws all over the piglet for the next half hour. They had a well kept Piglet that I'm sure you may know, reg 05HH05. I got some fab pics to add to your generous offerings so I've got everything covered now. I only recieved the Panhard drawings last week, a model I wanted to build for many years so I'm just getting that out of my system & then its straight back to your Piglet I'm hoping to run both models at the massive IPMS gig in Telford in November keep in touch! Roy
  6. ..I think your right, this is going nowhere! I was just trying bring the quiery to a larger audience here.. :cry:
  7. Great photos Gareth!! I see you like 1:1 scale building :wow::rotfl: ..That mock up checkpoint looks the buisness by the way, I'll hang on to these photos too, cheers!! Glad you found the model site, keep an eye on it, I'll be showing photos of your piglet along the way and making some references too (as long as thats OK with you?) ..keep your ear to the ground in regard to photos or knowledge of that curious Jamming device (it fits that bracket in the back of the piglet in a photo you sent me before!) chat soon mate! Roy :-D
  8. Hi Guys Without breaching OPSEC, legal or safety issues, has anyone got any information on ECM's used on Land Rover Piglets during the Late 1980's or early 1990's?? I'm not looking for operational capabilities, Functions, limitations or training information I'm just looking for a drawing or Photo of what it may have looked like?? ie size, shape, layout and color.. I heard names like "white-Sifter", "Brown-Sifter" and "Antler" being used in regard to Frequency Jammers and was wondering were these items used in vehicles as well as by Soldiers on foot patrols in N.Ireland?? Thanks in advance! Roy :wave:
  9. Excellent Gareth, I'll defo be adding this item to my model, thanks to your photos I should have this little accessory just about right!! Thanks again mate, you've been a great help :-D ..I'm gonna go out on a limb here and ask does anyone have any photos or information on the the "Jammer device" inside the vehicle, a drawing or reference will do, I really want to emphasize this in the Kit! ..I know there was a personel device that one squadie carried in his daysack in each brick on foot patrols, I wonder is this the same device?? ..BTW Gareth I took my donar kit out yesterday and gave it the once over of what I need to do etx etc, she'll be on the ramp next tuesday or wednesday! (I can post here on the model section of HMVF if there was no objections from the mods and some people wanted to see it?? Any thoughts?? At the end of the day I got most of my resources and references here! Alternatively I will be posting my build blog as usual on the modelling site armorama anyway, but I'll be giving kudos to everyone here and the site :-D) Roy
  10. Gareth - excellent photos my man, well done and thanks for taking the time to take the pics and post them!! ..in the photos there is a rectangulor box with two antenna just behind the spare wheel. what is this and was it a common fitting to all Piglets??? Richard, thanks for the update, I'm going to have to google Lexan, this is the first time I've heard about that! If you think of anything that might be worth mentioning or that might help me in thread here later please drop a line, you have been a great help so far!
  11. Gareth: Thanks again for the very informative update, I've made notes :-D Interesting to hear too about AA's piglets, there is about a 5 number gap between they're Tangi and Snatch kit codes, thats a bit odd so I'm hoping Derek is planning 4 or 5 more Land Rovers of some description in between. (hopefully an APV and Piglet will be two of them!) ..Glue-bombs are a new one to me, very interesting, I bet you got a hell of a fright when you were stripping the old paint off and the glue went up!! ..I hope your eye-brows stayed intact :nut: ..no rush on those photos of the roof hatch but I will be looking forward to them very much :cool2: Richard: Thanks so much for your input here, thats quite impressive! Interesting you mentioned the woven glass fibre, I noticed this on one of Gareth's photos (the one displaying the yellow stencilling), you can just about notice near the roof the glass fibre after being worn down. So just to confirm this Richard, the "perspex" glass as I called it earlier on the outside of the cab doors (seen in an earlier photo) isn't perspex and infact the Macrelon Armour? This would also be the case for the inside of the windsreen and I imagine the clear shields that were mounted on the roof hatch at the rear?? ..Thanks again Guys Roy :-D :-D :-D
  12. Your on top of your game Gareth! you have a sharp eye with these Landies, fair play to ya! I was disapointed at first when you mentioned the said vehicle in the photo was an APV but you sure made up for it posting these photos, I can actually make out red stencilling along with the more clear yellow in the first photo so I know I have both options available to me for my model ..I'm leaning back on yellow again, but we'll see what happens.. good image here too of the perspex glass protection on the doors, I see its the same set up as the RUC Hotspurs I must say that was some job you did restoring the piglet, well done! They really were in a bad way when these photos were taken, they must of been in storage for years before being sold? Its interesting to note how some armoured panels shed the green paint easier than others after nature took its course. Would I be right by saying the large panels on the rear are Macrelon, along with under the doors and just forward of the cab doors and that the other panels (not so weathered and holding the NATO Green) are some other armour?? BTW AA are releasing the Tangi and Snatch models soon so if you cant get your hands on the real deal (on page 124 of David Dunnes book) then you might want to try your hand at the scale kit :cool2: ..as I have your attention Gareth I'll throw you another quick question, does the roof hatch at the rear open forward (looking at the hinges) and does it open in one piece? cheers bud Roy :-D
  13. As promissed, here are some of my bits too.. ..all comments welcome :angel:
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