Just a quick update on LRPV 180-899.
I've been able to spend some time over the Christmas break to attend to a few things.
Whilst 899 was on Cashmere Downs station, a number of parts were removed from the vehicle by the station owner. These parts would have been deemed 'unnecessary' for station use as it would appear that the owner wanted the tub to be free of any objects.
Early last year, I recovered two of the four helper springs and just before Christmas I recovered three other items. The radio box, main tub fuel tank and tub floor storage box. All in excellent condition.
I've also been researching the camouflage paint on the vehicle. I have found three original paint schemes under the dark green paint that was applied for civilian use. The first is the standard original olive drab. The next scheme was pre-AUSCAM (same as on 899 in the photo below) with the final being the late 1980s/early 1990s scheme seen on most LRPVs.
The 'cammed up' LRPV in the photo below is 180-899 displaying the original camouflage scheme.
This photo shows the first camouflage pattern and colours after the dark green/grey base coat has been removed. The OD verticle strip you see is from the PSP mat holder. The camouflage paint was applied without the removal of these bolt on mods.
Part of my research is to correctly identify the late camouflage colours and pattern as shown below. I found that the last camouflage paint scheme was removed very easily with paint stripper. It bubbled up an peeled off like sheets of plastic. The first camouflage paint was the total opposite. Hard as nails.
