Upon opening the box were are given a HUGE amount of parts all individually wrapped.
There is a total of 14 sprues (one clear), upper and lower hull all in styrene. Also are rubber tires, metal turned scale 105mm barrel with rifling, a small PE sheet, decals and instructions.
Upon examination of the hull sections and about half the sprues through this updated, the quality of the kit is amazing. As an engineer I appreciate well designed things. Everything on this kit appears to be well thought out. There are no voids or sink marks in any of the parts. The injector pin marks are light but thought out so they only appear on sides which do not show on the model. The fit of the parts is near perfect. A test fit of the hull sections leads me to believe no filling or sanding will be required.
As you review the sprues, there is a bunch of parts for the other Stryker models. If you are into Strykers, this kit should also leave a bunch of parts in the spare drawer
The kit is quite extensive and detailed and the instructions contain 42 steps to building this kit. The good part at least up through this update is the parts fit so well and clean up from the sprue so easy that the first four steps to assemble the lower front plates and the drive train went easy and quickly.
That’s where I am at for now. Next steps require the suspension system which will make parts of the lower hull difficult to paint. Before continuing I will let everything set up well and throw a base of NATO Green on the hull section
Off to another great start Mike. Jeeze, I wish that they’d come out with the mortar carrier (not that I could get it completed any time soon anyway). Are you going to base this off a particular photo as per your MO, or just going with your gut and with what’s in the box (WITB)?
i have been want this kit for a while now. i have seen serveal great builds on it and the more i see it the more i want it. redlleg are you going to put the slat armor on it?
There are not many photos of the M1128…this was one of the better ones. Have no fear, I’m sure the mortar carrier M1129 will be coming soon.
Thanks for looking
GA - I presume you mean Strykers in general. Since this version is new I have not seen any WIP on this one out there yet!! Yes, it is a cool vehicle. Thanks for looking
Marc - Well yes…if I don’t go to AMPS International at Aberdeen in April??? Thanks for looking in. Maybe this will get you interested in something other than German[swg]. Thanks for looking
Heavy - It’s always a pleasure to have you drop by. I’m sure you will keep me honest on this one. Thanks for any help in advance.
Beav - Slat armor…no, for a number of reasons. One, the slat armor used on the M1128 is different than what is used on the M1126 and M1130. The AM kits out there are for those vehicles. I am sure than can be modified, but…I think this Stryker will be a training version. Also the slat armor is almost a build in itself…frankly, I’m not in the mood right now to bend and assmble that much metal. Lastly, this is a unique Stryker. I would like it to stand out for itself than have all that metal to catch your eye.
So with that…the answer is no. There are a bunch of interesting things to do without it. thanks for looking.
I would call that a ‘rave’ review!—It is nice to know to some company is able to produce a well fitting,minimal clean-up kit! Hurray for AFV!-- the stryker is a very interesting vehicle in all its’ varients—I’ll be watching-- running silently in the background–as always–lol—tread[8D]
Very cool build. I just love the way that the MGS styker looks. I want one and now I am going to watch your build. I to would love to build one based on a photo. Do you know or can point me to pictures of them?
Moose - Thanks for looking. There are not that many pics of the M1128. Prime Portal does not have anything yet. This is one of a few photos I picked up by searching the internet.
After a base coat of Tamiya Flat Black and a first coat of Tamiya NATO Green on the lower section and remaining parts, I then completed the assembly of the lower chassis. Also assembled the wheel hubs and they are ready for paint. To this point I am done with the first nine steps in the instructions with the exception of mounting the tires and wheels which will wait until after final painting.
Next the instructions move to the upper hull. The M1128 like all Strykers has a non-slip coating on the top flat surfaces. Before I do any assembly I masked the upper hull and some hull parts to be coated with Rust-o-leum Terra Cotta surface paint to give the non-slip effect.
Masking all the bolt heads was a chore, punching dots with a Waldron punch.
After the coating and the masking removed, here is what it looked like.
The next 3 steps in the instruction call for the assembly of the side panels. The tools were left out of the tool rack until after painting.
The next 3 steps include mounting the side panels and some other panels including all of the loose parts coated above.
Here is where I will stop for now. The next few step are mounting a lot of detail parts on the upper hull.
Karl - Thanks for looking…“Reality”…now how does reality relate to a hobby which is generally wrapped around fantasy and the discussion of a stash of fantasies…I know…it’s not German…I have been watching too much Dr. Phil…I’m analyzing too much…Thanks Karl
G - As always a pleasure to have you drop by. Thanks.
