Hello All,
Here is a quick in box review of Real Models Canadian LAV III-TUA kit number RM3519. The kit arrives in the same size box as the previous versions of the LAV III’s. The box contains six plastic zip lock bags which contain: 1. Five sheets of photo etch, 2. Nine resin Michelin XL tires, 3. Bag of assorted hatches and parts, 4. Machine gun parts and antenna mount. 5. Bag of Canadian ration boxes and water boxes, 6. The main bag containing a large resin upper hull and four of the previously mentioned bags.
The main resin hull piece is of the same quality as Real Models other LAV III offerings. I have noticed that the detail of the bolt heads holding add on armor on is very weak in places missing the bolt heads all together or not even present. Another item that is noticeably missing is any kind of decal sheet for this vehicle, so get in touch with your Canadian friends for some references. If the modeler wants to improve the details he will need to replace what’s there with hex rod and sheet styrene. The photo etch sheets are of high quality and essentially a repeat of some of the same components provided with the Canadian LAV III conversion. There are a couple of new sheets containing the unique sponson and stowage boxes of the TUA. One weak point of the assembly instructions is the lack of identifying donor part kits. There is only one mention of which donor kit parts to use for this build and that is on the first page of the photo etch instructions guide to parts. According to this guide the only donor kit part used is E8 (Rear Ramp). By carefully scrutinizing the instructions you can pick out which parts need to come from the donor kit.

I will be adding photo’s later in the day.


Tanks
Andy

Thanks Andy,

Just a point to note about the lack of markings......there are no tactical markings of any kind on the LAV III TUAs that I have been on to photograph. Only callsign sign boards are attached during exercises.

The kit comes with the addo-on armour panels attached......in reality the LAV III TUAs have not been deployed outside of Canada so none of the LAV III TUAs have the add-on armour panels mounted. They look good so that is just fine and would be very difficult to remove and replace with only the myriad of mounting bolts.

At any rate.....with the add-on armour panels mounted this would cover up any stencilled markings on the hull....such as tire pressures, electrical outlets, etc. The only ones that might still be visible would be small fuel filling stencils.....and they are very insignificant.

Unless a modeller was building a spanking brand new assembly line LAV III TUA no markings are required for the vehicle other than call sign boards.

This is a great conversion of a very unique and deadly LAV III variant.

Jason,
I'm working on a formal review of this now and may actually have some images that have tactical markings, I need permission from my boss to post them though. I also have some images of a TUA being test fitted with add on armor at the plant. I plan on doing a build blog as well. I'm in the process of researching some additional information at the moment. I hope to have the inbox review submitted by Friday.

Tanks
Andy

I am hoping to start a build on mine also after it arrives.

Going through my images there are lots applied stencils with exhaust warnings, tie down points, no step areas on the turret, lifting points, CARC, fueling info, etc....and of course.....they are all in French and English.

The only thing at all that resembles tactical markings on the images I have of LAV III TUAs that are actually in service are small black maple leaves.

There is a small black maple leaf on the left and right bottom portions of the external fuel tanks at the hull rear and another black maple leaf on the hull front bumper area right of center and the CFR plate left of center.

If there are more I would love to see them.