Roy thats looking awesome- you have nailed the green shade in my opinion- what did you use for it? The interior is a great addition too, especially with the various bits of kit- should provide a nice bit of color contrast with the drab green exterior. The 7 Up bottle and map in the front are great additions.

Cheers Karl!
The colour is Tamiya XF-81 Dark Green (RAF 2).

..I've been working hard today to make decent progress, I didn't get time to upload the photos's today but I hope to do so tomorrow.

In fact I'm going to try finish this Piglet before Saturday morning so I can bring it along to the IPMS Ireland Nationals.. Fingers crossed because nobody likes a rush job

Lastly I added the Makrolon Clear armour to the roof and cab doors, the front "ram-bars" and the rear step (All scratch built).
I added Photo Etch wipers to the front windscreen, the registration and Military Police signs, the rear door, all door handles, rear view mirrors, ariels and the front headlight grills (also sratched PE).
There was other minor details but after adding the Accuarate Armour wheels the piglet was finished at last.

Some interior shots

With Base..







..figure to follow later

This Piglets service history is a bit sketchy due to the nature of its use, but does point to a specific use in Northern Ireland, rather than being a pool vehicle like most were. It entered service with the British Army in January 1984 as a standard Series 3, 109 FFR Soft Top where it was issued to the Vehicle Depot, Hilton.

From November 1984 it was taken on strength with 39 Infantry Brigade HQ and Signal Squadron where it remained for the next 7 years. From July 1991 to August 1994, when it was finally struck off, it was used in the NI pool of vehicles.

The vehicle is in Private hands now and as far as the owner can tell, its last user was the Royal Military Police (RMP) due to the Military Police plate that was still left on the rear, when he purchased the vehicle.

Although produced as a 12V Landrover originally, at some point of its service life the vehicle was upgraded to a 24 Volt Landrover, confirming the history of it serving with a signals unit. (I've heard the 24V Landrovers were 3 times the cost of a standard GS model so it may have been more affordable to upgrade the Piglet to 24V rathar than purchase an entirely new one.

The Piglet today is in excellent condition and has been refurbished by its careful owner it was very helpful to me during my research.

The Piglet was featured in the August 2006 edition of Land Rover Monthly magazine, pages 80 to 83.

I'll be updating the thread with the final touches over the coming weeks but for anyone who might have been following this build blog I hope you enjoed it.

If you have any questions or comments feel free to post.

Excellent research and build Roy. You can not beata decent Land Rover.

I build this Armoured Land Rover years ago, so the details are sketchy, but it was a Resin model with metal detail parts



https://gallery.kitmaker.net/showphoto.php/photo/247475/ppuser/5164

As with your other Northern Ireland vehicles, this is absolutely fantastic! You make it look so easy; the methods and materials you use are ingenious. Your eye for detail also make your modifications stand out. If you do not take a first in some category, then I will have totally lost faith in mankind! Considering the kit you started out with, it is amazing the finished model you have created; truly one of a kind! I wish your Northern Ireland vehicle modifications were available in a how-to book. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your builds and inspiring those of us with lesser abilities.

Douglas:
WOW(!) thanks for your very kind words mate, you have left me somewhat speech less & very very humbled!
I really appreciate you taking the time to write that & I'm glad you enjoyed my builds. I intend to post more various scratch builds & conversions here again, particularly Land Rover based so I'm very grateful for your support.

Henk:
Thank you also for your kind comments. I really would love to see that land rover you built but the link in refusing me access to the picture.
If you could please try a new link or attach a photo this would be really cool mate, cheers

It was fantastic to catch up with you at the weekend Roy and to see this up close- it is truly a fantastic build packed with detail. For some reason the red areas draw my eye to the interior of this vehicle (and I think the red contrasts really well with the yellow stencilling)- which is great because it shows off the various bits of kit stowed in there. I also think the Makrolon clear parts are really well done- the scratches and scuffs on the lower windows is a great touch. Plus the basing with the colored kerbs is a great place to showcase this vehicle!

Once again a nice model ,plenty of detail and brings back memories or being over the water..
Keep up the land rover builds ,we are a touch alike
Terry

hmm, the link works for me, it takes me to my Gallery?

another try (I have been away a long time.. )






edit.. got it





It is very simple, a bit crude, but was a fun litle build. Very thick casting, with little scoop to detail the interior or under chassis.

Karl, Terry, thanks for all your support guys.
The kind words and tips along the way are what make build blogs all the worth while

Henk, thanks for posting those pics, the kit looks great, I feel like skipping my other earlier land rover plans and going straight to the Tangi now! (we'll see what happens)

Fantastic build Roy. You captured the NI appearance perfectly ... no misstaking it. Would love to make something like this myself, for my own collection. This and Karls give so much inspiration.

Cheers Frank, I heard your going to the IMSS in Dublin next year, is this correct? I'll get ya a pint mate

I recently finished the figure I wanted to pose with the Piglet.
It's an ACCURATE ARMOUR Modern British Soldier.
A beautifully cast and detailed figure and perfect for what I wanted.
The only work I had to do was remove the Helmet netting, rework the helmet elasticated straps and remove all the Soldier 95 (PLCE) webbing so just the Chest Rig was being worn.
The paints I mixed myself and the figure was fun to paint.

I've added an MP badge & Corporal markings to the upper right arm but you can't see them now as this is where the figure is leaning against the rear of the piglet (duh!)











..I've started a new thread, this time I'm planning to build a 1/35 Shorland Mk.III APC in serive with the UDR in N.Ireland during The Troubles
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/214078&page=1

Roy- I always thought this figure from AA was perfect for an NI dio- he looks very comfortable in your scene thats for sure.

Hi , firstly great piglet, a bit about myself, i served many tours in Ireland during the troubles (or the forgotten war as we call it) and the piglet was as it looks, rough and ready.
ive been off work for 3 month through injury, and have started to "copy" (very roughly) your rover, one question ive got is, what card have you used for the side panel? and where do you get it from?
all the best
Mick

Hi Mick

Thanks for you comments & kind words. Sorry to hear your presently out of work with an injury. I wish you a speedy recovery!

..in regards to the plastic I used it's paper thin plastic card (sheet)
I know the likes of www.hannnants.co.uk stock this from a pound upwards.
I couldn't tell you the exact measurements as I'm hopeless at remembering anything but if you go for something similar to standard A4 or even thin card this will do in either case..

I would love to see some of your work at some point!
Sorry I couldn't be anymore help, If you need anything else don't be afraid to ask ;-)

Impressive build, Roy, beautifully done. I must remember that mesh material, very nice.

Well done!

Cheers
Sven

This is awesome work! I hadn't seen it before, so I'm glad it got bumped up!

A thought: Had you considered adding the "STOP. CHECK POINT. HEADLIGHTS OFF" sign as seen in your original post? And how do you like working with Vallejo Liquid Mask?

--mike

Sven - Thank you so much, coming from you the master scratch builder I'm very cuffed cheers

Mike - Thanks for the Kudos too. I did dabble with the Checkpoint Sign but it was going to be a lot of additonal work and as I had planned a checkpoint scene for another diorama I decided against it in this case.

In regards to the Vallejo liquid Paint mask I've found it to be very useful. I was not sure at first if i was using it correctly and ended up giving two and three coats for each attempt until I realised just one coat will do the job.
I've used the stuff on many different projects since this build and can happily says its an essential tool for me now.

I will be of work for a few weeks on sick leave and have just bought the 1/35 landrover kit. I hope to build a piglet myself as I was a passanger in these for a few years while on service in Northern Ireland.Could you let me know where you got the phone number transfer for the sides of the piglet. I hope I can make it to your standards
Thanks
T Campbell

Hi Roy,

Excellent work on the Rover and figure. Base just needs some street litter - nice one.

Al