Gents,

I am commencing Trumpeter's LAV-III build OOB and am looking at step's 11 and 12. Do you skip one or the other for an opened or closed driver's hatch assembly, or do you have to build both? Also, since the rear stowage box doesn't appear to be used in Afghanistan, then where is the blast shield for the rear upper deck?

TIA

Brad

Brad

If building an Afghan version driver's hatch would be closed, while on operations. Blast shields came into being in ealry summer 2007 for the Lav-3's. Look to REALMODELS for update sets for this kit.

if you have any questions drop me a Pm.

Anthony

Brad

I recently finished the LAV III, it was a nice build, but does not represent the current LAV III being used in Afghanastan. It is more representative to the early "domestic" version. If you want to make a Afghan version, there are conversion sets out there, I believe by Legends and Real Models. As for steps 11 & 12, those are for the "domestic" windshield, only used in Canada. I left mine off, think is looks better.

Well, now I am more confused. I recall reading on this site that OOB, this kit could be built as an Afghan machine in 2007-2008 time frame, is this not correct?

Cheers
Brad

I believe it may be representative of the first LAV's deployed, but changes were made very early to combat IED's.

BTW Kevin, you did a nice job on yours, thanks for popping it up on the thread!

Cheers

Brad

It's (the Trumpeter LAV-III) not good for a 'domestic'/Canada based vehicle as it has all the applique armour attached. You'd pretty much have to scratchbuild or spend some serious time with files/sandpaper to re-do the hull and turret and add all the mounting bosses for the armour. Just leave off the rear box and you'd be good for an early deployment. Heck, some even had the box on still (rare though). Here's a photo taken by a friend, note the date:



Jim

Perfect, thanks Jim!!

Cheers
Brad

If you wanted to use the driver's windscreen and/or the turret windscreens they would be correct for the early deployment of the LAV III to Afghanistan.

It would be rare....but totally accurate.

I have found images of the LAV III used in and around Kabul on patrols with white ISAF markings on the hull and the driver's windscreen installed and a windscreen installed on the commander's side of the turret...this would have been at the first stages of the LAV III deployment....some of the LAV IIIs don't even have the add-on armour mounted on the patrols.

So no more confusion for you....build on young man!

Thanks for the reply. I'll search for those images.

Brad