I was at the LHS and saw they have this kit there for $25. I am tempted to go get it for that price. I was wondering if anyone here has built it and if it is worth the price or a waste of money?
Maybe this will help.
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/trumpeter/tr00349.htm
It is a pretty good kit. A few things to be aware of though. The rear hull is a little too high, which results in the roof not fitting flushly with the sides. Some sanding will take care of it. Trumpeter left a few things off it too. The biggest things are the commander’s M240G MG and mount, and M240B coax MG that should stick out the hole to the right of the main gun. The M240G and M240B can be found in DML’s Modern MG set, listed as L7A2’s (their European designation). You will have to scratch the mount though. It is also missing wire cutters on the front hull and turret roof. Lastly, it is missing mirrors that mount on the light clusters up front. It is the most accurate LAV on the market. Much better than the older Italeri and ancient Esci kits. Overall a good kit, just needs a few added pieces to build it accurately. I say go for it.
Here are a few referances or you:
http://community.webshots.com/album/549298898TxwGTP
http://community.webshots.com/album/549357351FptxdW
http://www.primeportal.net/apc/arrin_holt/lav-25_walk_1.htm
http://www.primeportal.net/apc/jason_taylor/lav-25_details/
http://www.primeportal.net/apc/jason_taylor/lav-25_turret/
http://www.primeportal.net/apc/jason_taylor/oif_lav/
Good luck.
There was also a Workbench Review, FSM Feb 06. The issue with the AC-130 gunship cover.
It is a good kit.
A reason for some detail lack was explained to me by our distiributor who imports the Trumpeter kits.
Since the Company is based in northern China and relations being what they are, Trumpeter was restricted to “stripped” down versions of the LAV. To make up for it they gleamed what they could from pictures and readily available books on the vehicle. As the others have said there is more than enough source material on the LAV. Also Verlinden makes a great detail set for the LAV. Also be on the look out for Trumpeters new Stryker vehicle comming later this year in 1/35.
My kit turned out very nice, for a minimal amount of effort. It’s a nice kit with a minimal amount of fit problems. It’s obvious that the kit is missing a thing or two, but it’s still a nice kit. It comes with 4 infantry figures and all there guns and equipment. It’s very much worth the price.
Semper Fi,
Chris
From all I’ve heard and read, Trumpeter’s kit is well worth the price as far as fit and accuracy among the available choices. I’m planning to get one for my shelf in the near future.
Thank you all for the info. Sounds like this is a good kit for the price and turns into a nice build even if you do not add the missing details. Guess I will be stopping by the LHS and picking it up.
Suppossed to be a vast improvement over the ancient Italeri/ Revell kit.