Well here’s what I know and can say. The pics below are references that I found on the net (1) while the other was given to me with the dimensions.
Was it user friendly PE…yes and no. First when you remove the pieces they have to be filed, not an easy task. There are small burs sort of like when you take a plastic part from a tree. If you don’t file it you won’t get it to sit flush which is important or you’ll run the risk of not being square. When I first started filing the pieces would bend very easy. Then I held the end parts in a pair of tweezers and switched to a med. sanding stick.
Once the support bars and frames were bent there was a void, it was hollow. At first gluing them was impossible. There just wasn’t enough strength. I found that inserting/gluing a strip of .040 X .040 Evergreen Plastic made things easier and more mass for the glue.
The instruction were easy to read and follow, no confusing steps.
As for the PE it’s self, well it was thin. You need to take your time and handle with care as it bent everyway Sunday, even breathing heavy bent the PE.
What about the accuracy…I’ve never seen a Stryker in person so I can’t say anything about it’s accuracy of the PE compared to the real slat armor. But compared to the dimensions I have with the PE it’s almost right on. The support bars and frames are scaled 2 inches while the slats are 3 inches. again 1/1 dimensions are above. As for the distance between the slat armor and the Stryker sides, I really can’t say, but it look pretty close.
Was it a good investment…it is really pricey, mine was $55 dollars. I’m sure you can find it cheaper while other places will coat more. You got to look at it as one of those
“must have PE sets”. I’d like to see the cost come down, $40 dollars seems to be a fair price. Investment, well if you want an accurate looking OIF Stryker or a contest entering Stryker you’ll need this set.
Check this out…AFV Stryker #34.99 + Eduard slat armor PE $54.99 + Legends/ Real Model resin $50 = $140 dollars, that’s not including the resin figures…Helo Miniatures 2 sets $ 46.40 and Legends 2 sets $55.00 equaling $241.40. Now that’s what I have tied up in one Stryker.
This could even get more costly, add in the mounting rack set $22.95, blast armor set $24.95, exhaust deflector $6.95, storage belts $19.95 and the detail set that contains the struct guards and other pieces $22.95...total $97.75. Now added to the first cost, $339.15...so yeah it's pricey. Yes some of the sets contain the same parts, mostly the storage racks.
Again this is my observation, most of the info came from the internet of the few here who has hands on experience, manuals and books.
Joe
