I am building this model right now. It is a great kit, not complicated which is good for me since I haven’t build an armor model in years. THe only problem I have is the tracks. In the kit it is those stupid one-piece vinyl things. I don’t like them, they don’t sit right and they really don’t fit very well. So, I was wondering if anybody knew of any other tracks I could use in lieu of the included ones? I remember reading somewhere that the tracks of an M1 is close to the AAVP7A1. Could someone verify this for me?
the Bradley tracks are the same (i think) and Blast make a set of tracks and running gear for the kit
heres a link to a review of them http://pmms.webace.com.au/reviews/vehicles/blast/bl35023-25k.htm
heavywood whats your overall opinion of that kit and if anyone else had an opinion on it. basically my closet friend has served on them in the Marines and im sad to say hes developed Bone Cancer which the VA hospital misdiagnosed real bad so when he was diagnosed in December. i feel that if i can get ahold of that kit i would put all models aside and do that for him so that his spirits could rise a little bit, and i was curious about what peoples opinons are on the kit. good timing on the topic heavywood
- chris
I’ve got the original version, LVTP7A1, and it is not a bad kit. I think the only true shortcoming is the lack of a interior detail in that cavernous interior.
CC is correct in that the M2/3 Bradley and MLRS use the same tracks as the LVTP7A1/AAVP7A1. Academy makes a separate link set of the old style (triangular pad) track. Blast makes the newer style (rectangular pad) track.
Welcome Heavywood.
Chris, I have built the early Tamiya LVTP7A. I spent a lot of time detailing it as it is a very basic kit. It took a bit to accurise it to my standards.
Added:
Tie down cleats, mesh to intakes, anti-slip cleats to mesh, head light shrouds and side skirt, external fire extinguisher handle, weld bead detail, internal details to hatches and drivers compartment (none in kit), external hatch release handles, missing cargo hatch hinge fittings and tie downs, etc.
Reworked/replaced:
Drilled out lightening holes in Drive sprockets, drilled out footsteps and replaced tread with wire, Carved recess in lower rear door and added bolt detail, removed head light assembly and replaced with correct bracket and bolt fittings, drilled out headlights for replacement lenses, Drilled out Exhaust stack shroud and replaced solid plastic with mesh, added bolt detail and mesh to aircon unit, corrected the Drivers hatch hinges, Drilled out vison blocks (solid on kit) for replacement with clear parts, repalced side skirts for scale thickness,front engine grill and rear hatch door handles corrected and missing handles added, etc
I have posted a few pics of the incomplete build on my website, which is still under construction itself). This is the link to the LVTP page that will allow you to link to the 2 pages of pics.
http://www.geocities.com/petbat1961/LVTP7A
Unfortunately, the superglue I used to glue down the mesh ran like blazes, but was not noticible until paint was applied, and this needs to be redone but all in all the pics will give you an idea of what you can do with the kit.
Thanks all for the input, I really appreciate it.
Ctrill- Overall I think the kit is good, but it could use some more interior detail. All the pieces fit together fairly well as in the Tamiya tradition. I would reccomend it, but if one wants to keep the doors open, it will need a lot of scratchbuilding, or perhaps an after market kit if there is one. So, you should get the kit for your friend, he will certainly enjoy the build.
I built this one a few years ago as I was getting back into the hobby and my biggest regret looking back is that is didn’t have any interior detail. I’ve got another one in the stockpile, maybe I’ll take a shot at some scratchbuilding. All my time as an 0311 and I rode zodiacs and boot soles more than these monsters!