Hi
I have heard through the grapevine that Tamiya will re-release this kit (this would have of course absolutely nothing to do with any recent conflict ) . Does anybody have any informations about that ? I wouldn't like being compelled to make do with PRC copies...
TIA
Frenchy

I heard the same thing. I also heard that they were re-releasing the M2A2 Bradley.

In fact, here in France, the M2A2 is available in many hobby shops (I've just bought one, and I will certainly buy another one - abundance of Bradleys does no harm...). Maybe some provident guys have had made some stocks, but they have forgotten the AAVP7A1

Frenchy

The biggest problem I ever saw with either issue of the LVTP7A1 or AAVP7A1 is the lack of an interior or an aftermarket interior to put into the kit. The big cave cries for a dio of Marines pouring out of the back. The only thing that's kept me from building mine is the insides. I've got the old Eduard PE set #35044 and the Academy tracks #1353.

Do we think these inevitble rereleases will inculdes updates (such as ID panels) or will it just be the kit back out on the market?
I vote for the second option.
How much work will need to be done to the M2A2 for a GW2 version (ball park, a lot, a little, none)?

Nate
Wisc. USA

I saw an advert for a GW2 M1A2 (i think it was Italeari) this beggars the question that the kit manufacturers are faster than we thought or that 3rd Inf. have their own sideline in kit production (only th 3rd would be fast enough).....I doubt it....... #:-)

On a serious note,my guess is that a lot will repackage their kits and not retool them as they should. For example, Academy's warrior, Tamiya's M2 and M3. Our only hope is new masters from companies like Trumpeter or Panda. We shall see what we will see......

Does anyone do aftermarker add-on armor for the AAV7? I'd like to do a deskmodel for the local Marine Recruiter, so I'm not that concerned about the lack of interior. TIA, Rob

Hi Zoomie
Trumpeter/Mini Hobby has issued a kit of the AAVP7A1 with EAAK armor. The kit itself is not very accurate (it' a Tamiya copy modified for motorization !) but you can add the EAAK parts to a Tamiya AAVP7A1 if you are lucky enough to find one
Kirin (which has desappeared ) had also issued several years ago a resin EAAK conversion set .
HTH
Frenchy

Frenchie:
Squadon Mail Order (www.squadron.com) is listing theTamiya AAV7A1 w/ UWGS as in stock as of today. It must have been re-issed.

Thanks for the good news Nate. But in fact I already have ordered and received one from Rainbowten last week ($24 postage not included). But may be I will need another one so ...who knows

Frenchy

Yet another of my famous dumb questions coming up... The AAVP7 which we saw during OIF, has like corrugated bits on the hull. This called my attention. Whoopee I thought, how nice to build one of these and do a little diorama of downtown Bagdad with some marines and some civilians. Then I realised that the Tamiya kit doesn't have these corrugated items.
As i know nothing, zip, squat about AAVP7s, (apart from what I'm learning here) where do I start? Thanks.... Jim

Hi Jim
You are not the only one who has such a project. The "corrugated items" on the sides of the AAVP7A1s are add-on armour plates (called EAAK for those who love acronyms ) You can try to find the Trumpeter/MiniHobby kit of the AAVP7A1 which provides these armour plates and use the kit parts as templates because of their "rustic character". Some Evergreen L-shaped sections would do the job. (I already have cleaned out the "Evergreen" shelves of my hobby shop). You can quite easily find pics of EAAK-fitted amtracs on the web (the official USMC site is a good source), providing you don't want to build the new upgraded version with new running gear and muffler like I have planned to....
Good luck
Frenchy

To add on to Frenchy... the EAAK equiped kit from WSN is OOP from what I can tell. I found mine at a hobby store about 2 months ago and snatched it up. I was really hoping Tamiya would include their own EAAK, especially since they are slightly upgrade a few of their other OIF releases.

I'm glad to see the kit is being re-released, Great Models web store lists them as in stock right now. I agree with everyone that it would be nice if the kit was upgraded to OIF like Tamiya is planning with their old M113 kit. Maybe A.E.F. Designs will come through for us with the needed components for the Amtracks. They already offer some Bradley upgrades if not, scratch build time yikes!

I do have a queation regarding the UGWS, for you folks that have theis kit , from your view how detailed isit?
As to the add on armor, Is it just extra metal Or is it reactive. On the M2A2 there is both added metal as well as prvisions to bolt on reactive blocks, in addition to anti -spale lining.

The Tamiya UGWS turret looks OK for me but I think I will add the missing tie-down cleats on the edge of the turret sides. I may add some details to the ammunition feeder for the 40mm grenade launcher (I am thinking about using the vinyl feeder from a UH-1C Hog kit...). You should have a look at AFV Interiors website for some pics before they close down :-(

Concerning the EAAK armour plates, I'm no expert but according to the pics I have found they look like metal panels bolted on lugs welded to the sides of the amtracs. There is a very interesting article showing New Zealand army M113s fitted with EAAK in MilitaryModelling Vol.32 No12.
HTH
Frenchy

Well this project will be a hoot to keep track of. I have secured to Mini Hobby AAV7A1 from Great Models for $15 each, look like direct copies of the Tammy kit, though I don't know they haven't arrived yet.
I wonder what the end cost on this project will be??

Tamiya will re-issue a new AAVP7A1 with EAAK please see my gallery below

HOBBY FAN......VERY GOOD