question Northern Ireland Piglets (Late 80's & Early 90's)

Roy welcome back.

That is indeed a comprehensive & well structure post but I'm afraid I can only respond to few points.

The "3/4 Ton GS Land Rover Protection Kit FV984568" was formalised in Nov 1980 to convert vehicles fitted with VPK. As you know these VPK vehicles are often incorrectly called Makrolon vehicles misunderstanding that the body protection is from mouldings of GRP.

Later modifications in July 1981 make mention that the conversion from VPK vehicle with "High Velocity Protection Kit" took 70.1 hours & also mentions a time of 75.5 hours for a new vehicle.

There were further amendments that went on into March 1982, but nowhere is there any reference in the parts lists or the fitting of thing on the front bumper.

I have seen one official drawing that makes reference to "Piglet" unfortunately as you know many will also refer to a VPK vehicle as such.

Mesh screen guard, roof gutters & fan assembly were all part of the original conversion.

Hi

Can anyone advise the correct colour for a 1979 Landrover Series 3, with Northern Ireland VPK?

My log book states green but other documents with the vehicle show a few colour names. So guess I am confused.

John what particular point in time are you seeking to represent as the vehicle is nearly on the cusp of the general introduction of NATO Green?

Is there a 2-character colour code on the vehicle documents?

John what particular point in time are you seeking to represent as the vehicle is nearly on the cusp of the general introduction of NATO Green?

 

Is there a 2-character colour code on the vehicle documents?

Clive,

The vehicle was manufactured on 18th October 1979.

Army Transport Museum says vehicle came into service January 1980 Sent to Operation Agila initially prior to returning to UK.

Vehicle log book says Colour: Green. No other codes are present.

Ideally I would like the original colour although if it was different for N Ireland, let me know as that is now where the vehicle resides.

I assume any colour is a Matt finish?.

So are are you wanting to represent the vehicle as it would be in Jan 1980 or later?

This is an old can of worms & people will line up to shoot me down & give their take on this thorny subject. But I strongly believe that IRR NATO Green came into general usage at the end of 1980.

The Regulations introducing IRR paints was first issued in Dec 1980 & Def Stan for IRR paints was issued Oct 1980 & indeed NATO Green was adopted into BSC381C in 1980.

There is some evidence a few vehicle contracts were fulfilled up to two years earlier than this. Note I have said earlier general usage, before that the colour would have been Olive Drab for camo replacing Deep Bronze Green.

IMHO , LR Ex-Solihull manuf. on 18th October 1979 , would have left "dispatch out" , NATO Green (lusterless) - forget all about DBG , you should be able to confirm - look at places the brush / spray does not touch.

Post VPK , it would have been sprayed , again NATO Green. IRR reflective. probably no black DP applied..

Thanks for the reply, I can see how confusing it is. I have looked at paint charts/ samples of DBG, Olive Drab and Nato Green and actually none of them seem to be totally correct compared with original areas of the vehicle.

I may just go with Nato Green BSC381C 285.

If the original paint was IRR NATO Green, it would have faded considerably, even in the spots that were covered up over the years. As a "High Tech" paint in 1980, it was very unstable and had a very short service life. Old vehicles with IRR paint jobs are quite obvious as they get a distinctly blotchy appearance and can sort of look green, brown or pinkish under certain light. As far as I know, the date when they were painted was stenciled on the vehicle somewhere and they had to be repainted ever year or two. I believe that different batches of the paint also varied in colour somewhat; Clive can probably provide more information.

Unless you're a real rivet counter, for NI use at around 1979/80 you could pick either OD or NATO IRR Green - either would be pretty correct as it would depend on what contract the vehicle was originally painted under, as well as the individual unit's painting schedule.

Cheers,

Terry

As Terry points outs IRR paints were unstable as can be seen below. This was the life in storage, of course the deterioration accelerates dramatically once painted on a vehicle.

If you decide to use modern reproduction NATO Green paint it will not have the specified IRR properties of course. Many people choose to use a satin finish paint on the basis that it looks smarter & stays that way for longer. Indeed it does but the original IRR paints were a matt finish.

With regard to item 4 - the front fender kit which extends to the ground (as worn by some privately owned piglets) these were not authentic to military use. RUC Hotspurs had something similar to prevent devices becoming stuck underneath them but piglets did not have that kit fitted.

The anti beer barrel bars fitted to RUC landrovers as standard as in the above photos were fitted to some VPK fitted 109s or Piglets for use in certain areas. The HVPK 109 or Piglet had a heavier version of anti barrel bar fitted as standard. I've seen enough of them over the years.

J

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Hi

Can anyone advise where one could source a piglet roof aerial box? Or provide dimensions/ close up photo to have a box made.

Hi

Does anyone have any dimensions/ accurate photos of the roof aerial box on Piglets?

I am also looking for a 'Stop Checkpoint Sign' or if someone could provide dimensions, I will have one manufactured.