Does anyone know of a company that produces 1/35 EEAK armor plates or bosses for EEAK that fit to the side of an Amtrac? I know that there is a company that manufactures a model with EEAK, but it stinks! If not does any one have any suggestions on how to make the EEAK bosses and plates? And how much longer am I going to have to put up with models of “straight leg” Amtracs as opposed to our AAVP7/C7 RAM/RS???
Michigan Discount Models and Missionmodels.com has the Hobby Fan EEAK set for sale. I don’t know if it is for the Academy or Tamiya AAVP.
Academy is a copy of the Tamiya with a few extra pieces to back date it to an LVTP-7 as opposed to the LVTP-7A1 as the Tamiya is. Main diference is the front headlight arrangement.
Back to the original post. Be prepared to lay out some cash for the Hobby Fan EEAK set. It usually goes for $80-$100 ($85 at Missin Models). Why, I have no idea. It is only triangular shaped pieces of resin, not gold. Some resin AM companies are nuts on their pricing. Hobby Fan seema to be one of the worst.
Good luck.
In addition to the in-hull head lights of the LVTP7, it was also armed with the M-85 hydraulic drive turret, had a different engine, and also the LVTP7 did not have of the bow plane of the AAVP7A1. I also have an AAVP7A1 from Acadmey ( I think) it has EEAK plates but they are way way way to thick. I fought in amtracs, (my call sign was “Paladin” hince my web handle) in Iraq and I wished I had EEAK…espically EEAK that thick! I appreciate the heads up gents…looks like I’ve got some scratchbuilding to do!
I’ve got the Promodeler AAV kit on my shelf (I even think this one is motorized, too) that will eventually get a scratch interior done (when I have the confidence in my skills to attempt) and I’d like to add the EEAK as well, since I already have done the “slick” version.
I’m also waiting patiently for a EFV/AAAV kit to be produced. Sigh Someday…
LemonJello, When were you with the Fightin 6th? and if so which Bn? Promodeler what scale is it in?
I was with L Co. 3/6 from 97 thru 99, and now I’m with the regimental headquarters.
One correction to my earlier post, its not Promodeler after all, the box says Modeler, and the sprues are marked as Trumpeter. I never noticed that until just now. Interesting. It’s a motorized 1/35 kit. My dad got it for me years ago, don’t know where, probably E-bay.
This is the old Trumpeter model, also labeled under the Mini Hobby label. It is not very accurate. The hull is way out of wack to allow for the motorization. Here is a review on it at Vodnik’s site.
http://www.vodnik.net/pages/amtracs/aavp7a1wEAAK.htm
However, as he did, you can use the EEAK panels off of it and put them on the much better Tamiya AAVP-7A1, with a lottle extra sanding and tweaking, for a pretty accurate model.
The panels are not quite right. I can’t remember off hand why, but I’d have to dig in to the archives that is my closet to see. LemonJello I was with Bco 2DAABN from Apr 95 to Dec 31 2004 when I had to find another occupation. Wonder if you may have ridden on one of pigs? Give me shout off line, love to talk about it more. As for the EEAK review, EEAK NEVER and I mean Never will line up to look purty. If it did It wouldn’t take 3-4 hours to mount to a pig. So if you use the armor and it turns out not quite line up dont have a heart attack…neither does the real thing.
Tanks again Heavy arty You truly are a gentleman and a scholar…for a cannon cocker.
Thanks for that heads-up, Gino. I had never really looked all that close at the kit and it is pretty far down the “to do” list anyway, I may just make it as is and see how the motors work (if they even do). Then I’d have a motorized amtrak and an RC M1 in 1/35.
I can always pick up the Tamiya AAV another day.
It seems that a few people are familiar with them, so what are they? Stand offs for shaped charges(RPG’s) or are they reactive armor? Or I am not even close?[:D]
[:D] Arty,that is i good site link you posted,im going to start on my lvtp-7, so that site is handy thanks.[:D]
Here is the rundown on EEAK. Basically it is a pasive armor, spaced steel plates.
Enhanced Applique Armor Kit (EAAK)
The EAAK consists of a series of bolt-on armor panels that provide additional armor protection to the vehicle. With the EAAK mounted, the vehicle receives a substantial increase in ballistic protection. The EAAK adds 4,400 pounds (1,996 kg) to the vehicle. The EAAK mounts to the AAVP7A1, AAVP7A1 (RAM/RS), and AAVC7A1 but not the AAVR7A1.
Protection for vehicle side and slope, troop compartment overhead, and slope rack kit for sponson stowage of OEM.
Attachment: boss and joint offset method.
Material: homogeneous harden steel, rubber, mild steel composite.
Boss offset from hull (no armor): 0.75 inch per side.
Maximum offset from hull: 8.50 inches per side.
No penetration for 7.62mm and smaller weapons at muzzle velocity.
95% probability of no penetration for 12.7mm armor piercing at muzzle velocity.
95% probability of no penetration for 14.5mm at 300 meters.
99% probability of no penetration for 155mm HE at 50 feet.
Substantially decreases the effectiveness of shape charge weapons by reducing the fragmentation debris cone from 110° to 35°.
Well, well, well, I am impressed Mr Heavy arty! Now for the truth. EEAK is nothing more than another good idea on paper going to hellinahandbasket in the real world. Basically the hull of AAVs is aircraft grade aluminum, to save weight. The EEAK we used on our amtracs was a design from Isreal. The Isrealies used a form of it on their M113’s. Its great in the sand (due to low humidity) but after some time at sea it begins to fall apart. It was found to be somewhat effective in Iraq. However I know from personal expirence that an RPG 9 will go through it and the trac like a hot knife through butter. My company deployed some with and some without EEAK and we were fine. The main problem in Iraq as far as vehicle (aav) casulitites was from direct hits on the bow, where the only thing stopping anything is a bowplane, a dashboard for the driver and a pack (engine and tranny) for the troop compartment. EEAK is actually a “matrix” armor soley for the fact that it is comprised of different materials sandwiched together. Now the AAAV or EFV (what ever it is they are calling it this week) is going to have a substancial armor upgrade with modular panels. Rumor has it that it will be a composite armor similar to Chobam, but much much lighter. Be neat to see it when it hits the fleet. And I really am impressed with your knowledge of amtracs hell, armor in general, Heavy arty. Please don’t take offense to my 2c.
Amtrakpaladin,
No offense taken. Always good to have another member with first-hand knowledge of the subject. I have worked with armored vehicles of all types for the last 11 years on active duty in US Army in Heavy Divisions (1st CAV, 2 ID, 3ID, all sorts of units at NTC in Mojave Desert). The rest of my knowledge comes for research for model building. Thanks for the additional, no-sh#$ on the EEAK.
I read on another site where Traks or Warriors (can’t rememberwhich company) are coming out with aftermarket sets of EEAK and an interior for the Tamiya kit. Unfortunately no release date was given. Hopefully it will be soon. Also in that post was a mention of figures for the AAVP that can be posed in the hatches and outside of the vehcle. I can’t wait to see the finished product.
Annonced over at Missing-Lynx. Here’s the post. Sounds good, but will probably be really pricey.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/thread?forumid=47209&messageid=1112972062
I wish they (Tamyia) would make a RAM RS AAV/P/C/R7A1! Now That’s a Trac!
Heck, while they’re at it, Tamiya or Dragon can go ahead and get a AAAV/EFV kit out there, too. Though I guess they have to wait for the finalized design, don’t they? Still, that’ll be a cool kit to have sitting next to my current trac…