has anyone ever scratch built an EFV? or are there any plans that anyone is going to make a kit one? i know its not comming into service for another 3 years but there must be enough info out on it to make a kit surley?

Richard

Kitting a model prior to its final design is pretty risky. Any subtle changes that occur when the EFV is finally put into production would result in modelers shunning the kits as not being totally correct. This has happened in the past. Of course the other risk is always that the funding is cancelled leaving the model company with a kit of a prototype that never was. Again, that would not be too popular. If you consider the fact that the initial order was for 1013, but has already been reduced to 573 due to escalating costs. Also, the Marine Corp has asked for seven new prototypes to resolve critical issues (not specified) with the design/performance before production. To top it off, Congress has pushed for improved mine/IED resistance and there will always be a battle regarding how well equipped (read "How expensive a new system must be") US armed forces need to be to satisfy the current military needs. Basically does the new system provide enough benefit in its anticipated operational environment to justify the cost of acquisition? With the EFV slated to be deployed in 2015, there are still quite a few years for things to change.