I've had this kit sitting on the shelf for a while and "it's next".
Any comments on the kit? Any traps waiting for me?
Also, I have 2 questions:
I'm doing the Vietnam version. Should the tracks be all black?
There is an Acetylene of Oxygen tank (I'm not sure witch) behind the crew compartment. What color should it be?
Thanks Folks.

MMiR did special on engineering vehicles. The M88 Vietnem version was built up there. It would be worth looking into. Also Dark*lington publications (AMPS) did a special on the M88 which you might want to have a look at.

Jack the "Looie!" :-)

Here's a beautiful build / review on it Charles! I'm pretty confident that this site will answer any concerns with this kit.

http://www.vietnamodels.com/m88-1.html

Man, I've gotta start building kits like these! Too cool to pass up anymore.

Wow! And those figures!!! This is a 1/35 scale kit right? I love those guys, they are some of the best 1/35 scale figs I have seen done.

Jim

Indeed it is Jim!!! I found this for Charles and even showed my wife for her thoughts. Say's I ought to build something similar...why not the same thing? I love the model! It fits right up there with one of those off- the-beaten-path models. The guy did a beatiful job. The figs too!

The above is in answer to my closing remark in the previous post...gotta build me one! :-)

Thanks for all the info guys.
Jack - Your post reminded methat I had the MMiR book. You're right, it's a very good review.

Ken - I should have known you'd find a great link. The review there and the one in the above book are in agreement about the pitfalls of the kit.

It's a little daunting, but I'm going to dive in and take my time.

I have the AFV Club M88A1 and it's a beautiful kit.
My problem is that I got it with the AEF interior and it was driving me crazy so now it's tucked away while I'm finishing my Strv122.
The kit itself looks beautiful and the fit seems perfect.
I've only heard good things about it when I asked on ML about it.
You might wanna try and get the Eduard PE set for it. It's out of production but it would be of great help for the headlight guards.
I've been told that the plastic guards that comes with the kit is almost impossible to get off the sprue in one piece.

The Swede
http://go.to/the_swede

Thanks all for the comments on my M88 - Glad you like it !!

If you have any questions that were'nt covered in the article, please ask.

Thanks for looking

[email protected]

Swede
I've got the Vietnam version and it came with PE for the headlight guards and a few other parts. I looked through the kit last night again and re-read the article in the MMiR book.
I plan to start cutting and glueing tis weekend. I'm also looking forward (I think) tomy first experance with PE.
Vietnamodels
Thanks for your offer. I'm sure I'll be taking you up on it. I toured your site a few days ago. Very nice. And I really enjoy your writting style.

Everybody above has asnwered question concerning the kit yourself. As far as the welding bottles, I have seen them on M-88, M578, and 5-ton wrecker in two possible paint schemes. Some have the oxygen and acetylene bottles in full color (green & yellow respectively) or in OD/dark green with only the top six inches or so in the proper gas color. Some have one in full color and the other in camo. Just depends what is issued when they are exchanged.

Jeff.
Thanks for the info. I found after some reading that the externally stowed bottle is oxygen. I think I'll opt for the all green, to break up the drab green on everything else.

Charles,

Agree fully with going with the green.

Jeff

Wow! The figures in the Showcase model are superb. That is one fine looking model with detail to spare. Whoever built that one knows his modeling and his subject. Great model work.
DJ

Argh... I just started the kit. It is a great kit, but mine did not include the separate track links!! I have a set I will use, but wish I had another, since I have an M-48 to build too!!

The buildup is superb and the figures are to die for!! Great inspiration to us!

I've got both the Aef and Mr models Interior sets. On this one I'd have to say go with MR models Interior. you can also find some good walk around references on Missing links and if i'm not mistaken armor foto ,the former with interiors as well.

OK, I am nearly done with this damn thing, but thestupid headlight guards self desctructed... well one set did and I have not had the courage to try the other. Anyone have any ideas on how what to use to build alternates?

Second... anyone know where to get the Eduard M88A1 detail kit? I assume it has headlight guards. I could try to make some using a variety of materials, but would rather not.

Dragoon,
You should be able to find that set where ever you can get Eduard from. You might want to try Squadrons web sight or maybe Greatmodels sight.

Thanks.. found the set on the Eduard site. They have a phone number... will call in the morning...

Great model and a great job. Outstanding detail and all. One thing wish the pictures were larger so you could get a bigger eyefull of candy
Jeff :-)

I found two versions of this kit in a local store: the first one comes in a very nice glossy box festooned with awards this kit won, and the second comes in a plain Jane usual type of kit box. The first one sells for 24 USD. The second goes for half of the first one. What gives? Are there any differences between the two? I'm sorry I didn't take note of the kit numbers

And another thing: can I do this one in overall OD?

There are three different variants of the old AFV Club M88. First is the Vietnam era M88 with the old gasoline powered engine. Next is the modern diesel powered M88A1 and finally is the Revell of Germany M88A1G that includes German type tracks and West German specific details and markings.

Thanks Rob!

So a good educated guess would be that the cheaper one is the 'Nam gasser right? And the 'Nam version is overall OD right? Talk about killing two birds with one MLRS salvo :-) And speaking of MLRS: it and the M88 are built on the same chassis right?

No, yes, no.
No, they are normally the same price (M88 vs. M88A1). The RoG one is usually the cheapest though.
Yes, the 'Nam one would be OD green.
No, the M88 is based on the M48 Patton tank chassis. The MLRS is based on an elongated M2/3 Bradley chassis.

Thanks for clearing that up Rob! I'll update this thread when I get it

Update: Got it! It's the A1 with flexible tracks and no photoetch headlight guards. Grand total of 12.9 USD at current exchange rates

Are there very noticeable external differences between the 'Nam version and the A1?

John, I think the difference in price would be the indi links vs. rubber band tracks, wouldn't it?

Rob