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Big Dan

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Everything posted by Big Dan

  1. Would the fitting of a Makrolon been common? I`d never heard of a Holly Pig before now. I`m also guessing this would have been fitted in or for Northern Ireland - suggesting my Pig was there quite early on. What is the reg of your Pig Clive? I`m guessing its not the one thats being firebombed? Thanks, Dan.
  2. Ah, so it would have been access to some sort of polycarbonate viewing thing? What was the idea and any idea why it was done as a mk 1? Thanks, Dan. PS - Clive, did I read your pig is an ex RUC? I`ve just picked up a book on RUC armourmed vehicles with a few RUC pigs pictured and in action - I guess you already have this?
  3. Hi guys, I finnished what nature had started today by removing the roof up-armour. If you check my previous thread the top plate was no longer attached as 3 corners had snapped and the last remaining weld had cracked - so off it came. Underneath was quite interesting.... This appears to be a hatch in the middle of the roof section - it is exactly the same shape and size as the front hatches. At some point when this was a mark 1 it would seem to have had this extra hatch fitted, then removed and welded up before the up-armour was fitted. Anyone know why/what this for? There are numerous weld/cut marks adjacent to the hatch but I`m not sure what for. In the past few months I have trawled through hundreds of Pig pics on google and have never come accross anything like this - any ideas? Cheers, Dan.
  4. And just looked at my spelling - aromour? Must learn to check these things.... Clive, let me know about the spare tank when get a chance - no rush as I can always run from a can for the time being - I shall also check the other tank thats still fitted though I expect its the same. Appreciate the comments on armour removal - I guess if it was not a rare beast then I would whip it off without much questioning, but I am sympethetic to its history - though the main reason for going for this one was the good engine/box/axles rather than historical significance. Anyone got a spare wheel and tyre? Thanks, Dan.
  5. Curiously the Pig has both stainless and mild welds - stainless on the real heavy loads like hinge points and doors, mild on aromour joints. Though the door hinges are mild....... Thanks, Dan.
  6. Hi Guys, I have been poking around the Pig today and got a few more detail pics and questions. First up, close up of the commanders chair - not much to tell as its pretty basic: Second is a "whats this" question - its on the roof just behind commanders hatch and its a hole in the up-armour that reveals a round thing with a square bit on top - any ideas? Next is a detail shot of the gearstic arrangement to see what sort of 4wd switch set up it has: Next is a further thought on some of the up-armour. As Clive has pointed out, some was not attached to well - mine has some of this. The welds on the turret hatch armour has come away on both outer edgesand no longer touches on either outside edge. The roof plate has also snapped on 3 of the 4 welds (see pic) - the result is the roof plate is floping around - if I lean on it it lifts half an inch on the other end, with a pry bar you can easily lift in an inch. Good job I have not driven it on the road as I reckon a pothole or two would have had the top skidding down the road! My thinking is the simple removal and storage of this will save weight and not detract too much - don`t forget this is not intended to be a show queen but I am aware of the Pigs rarity and, as ever with these things, may change my mind and go the whole hog in the future. Lastly, aimed at Clive, I do need a good tank (happy to run just one) as I have checked the tank thats out and its quite rusty above the halfway level if you can still get it. Also, the passenger door handle has sheered (see pic) - if you have one it would be good - if not I can get it welded. Ah, I will also need the seat bottom you mentioned and a back if you have one. Cheers, Dan.
  7. Picking up on one of Clives earlier observations, yes a tank has been removed. I believe the tank needs cleaning rather than having a leak so I was planning on doing the petrol/chain thing then treating with Kream cleaner and sealant - should do the job - unless you have a good tank at a good price.....
  8. My only thoughts on removing some armour were to do with taking some stress off the back axle - taking Andies warnings on board. Appreciate that its a rare beast but I would rather keep it moving - saying that if I follow the oiling according to the manual, keep it in 4wd and accellerate carefully can anyone advise how the back axle might fare? I`m sure we`ve all seen the clip on youtube of the Pig destroying the pallet building - must have put a huge strain on the running gear. Can anyone help with the more immediate problem of opening the front window slits? The two hand pumps do very little - one opens about an inch, the other just makes a squirting noise - stupid question but these look like standalone pneumatics so I assume the engine does not have to be running. Cheers, Dan.
  9. While I`m looking at the historical pics, the first one is fitted with what looks like anti-rpg mesh, not flying wings - first I`ve seen like that - any still out there like it?
  10. Hi Clive, Yep, a buddy of mine is ex para medic who was in and out of Pigs in NI all the time - the seat should swivel to allow the medic to work on the casualty - though he saw several different knocked-up versions! Where abouts are you and your Pig - would be very keen to get a tour of one and go through maintenance. Thinking of chopping off some of the up-armour, the section around the door looks like it could come off and I prefer the roof hatches round myself - bet they are very well welded on though! New drivers seat cover definatly needed - passenger door handle also snapped at the split pin. Adam should be sending me manuals as we speak. Thanks, Dan.
  11. I found a couple of period images - they might already be out there but always good to see some new ones.... The pic with 2 Pigs has a reg on the left hand one of 14 BK 96 Thanks, Dan.
  12. Hi all, Thought I`d bring you all up to date on my new toy - Adam Elkins old Amby Pig. A couple of months ago I posted up about wanting one and it was suggested I check out this one and another couple. I chose this one as, though its really scabby, the engine/box/axles/mechanics are pretty darn good - or at least thats how it looks after a brief check over. Plan is to grease the 50 odd nipples, oild the joints, check the box and engine then strip the body down to component, strip, paint and assemble. Then use it. Though I plan to take it to a few shows (I`m on the Surrey/Sussex border so think Beltring etc.) I`m not, at this stage, planning a show build - though its rare its in a VERY bad cosmetic state - I feel the main reason why it has languished off the road is that it is very tempting to go mad on this Pig - alas, you would need to be retired, single (or other half that wanted you out of the house) and with a big workshop and set up to do this to a winning standard. So I will be more realistic and just aim for "good" for the time being. If I get this right there should be some up to date pics below: Couple of mech pics: A couple of questions to go with the mech pics - the tyre in the pic has damage to the outer wall - only to what looks like 5mm deep rubber - the inner wall is fine and the tyre has full air - knowing these things are bullet proof is this bad or cosmetic? Also, the main axle rubber cover looks good an all corners (would these always have been rubber or have they been replaced?) but where do I oild them and what type? And some interior pics.... And just check out how many coats of paint - seriously, I know soldiers loved painting stuff green but I counted 11 coats of green between the origional white/red cross and the later red/white cross (checking the history that Clive dug up previously for Adam the Pig started out as an amby then became a flyer when up-armoured then, later, got converted bak to and amby ( though even the last red/white cross has a good 7 coats!)). I can also see a small blue patch on the back - reccognition I guess, though there is almost nothing left of it - any ideas? Lastly, my favourite bit, some bullet holes in the front wing including an exit mark (there are also what looks like corresponding dings in the armour - I will know more when all the old scabby paint is off: Awesome!!! Justanother question - the hydraulics operating the front windows are shot - one opens about an inch then the pump seizes up, the other just makes a wheazy noise from the base of the pump - any ideas/bi-passes? I`ll keep you all up to date, along with a few more questions (I have a couple of period pics I have not found on google so I`ll scan them and put them on soon. Cheers, Dan.
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