Humber Pig - History

History

The original vehicles were built by adding an armoured body to a four wheel drive 1-ton Humber truck, and were originally designed as a stop-gap until fleets of purpose-built armoured vehicles were delivered. They were sold off or put aside to be scrapped. However, as the situation worsened in Northern Ireland the vehicles proved ideal for internal security duties and were brought back into use. They have served longer than their battlefield contemporaries, the Alvis Saracen, which were not considered suitable for use in an urban environment. Legend has it that the Pig acquired its nickname because its bonnet resembled a pig's snout, it was difficult to maintain and because its driving characteristics were somewhat unrefined. As the Troubles in Northern Ireland escalated during the 1960s and 1970s the Pigs were modified with additional internal armour to create the Mark II vehicles. Further external modifications made the Pig one of the most aggressive looking military vehicles ever manufactured, and they remain an enduring symbol of the Troubles.