For those interested, Terry Ashley over on PMMS has a photo comparison between Tamiya, Academy, and Italeri HMMWV model kits. It's short on text, but long on photos, for those who like to view relevants parts and make decisions.

Good stuff!

Gunnie

http://pmms.webace.com.au/reviews/vehicles/misc/hmmwv.htm

Thanks for the posting Gunnie. It answers a lot of questions for me.

Hola!

When will the new Tamiya hummer be released and hit the shelvs in our hobby stores?

Great pics to show and to proof what is the best kit overall.
But as said, the price I think will determine the choice, but it´s good to know we have options.
Cheers

thats really a great help..thanks a lot

Good post Gunnie. Very interesting comparisons. Although Tamiya are setting the pace with their new kits...... you have to pay the price for them.
To be fair to Academy and italeri though..... their kits are a lot older and were all that was available until now. Its a bit like comparing some of the new Academy kits to their older tamiya equivelent........ same story only the other-way-round.
I think the great thing for us modellers is that there is a choice! Quality and price.

Thanks Gunnie,
it seems that these guys have got lots of resources...
Ciao

Squadron has them on pre-order for $32... I have one that will be shipped when it comes in. Haven't seen it yet....

Nate
Wisc. USA

I got a shipping notice last night from HobbyLink Japan - my Tamiya HMMWV and Bandai Enterprise-A is on the way! Happy Happy - Joy Joy!

I think that Terry Ashley always presents a good review for modelers without coming off as a self-proclaimed "expert" - so I'm not inclined to repeat that effort. I'm just going to build the kit when it gets here and comment about how that goes. Best bet would be that this kit will go together quite smoothly, like all of Tamiya's recent efforts. The challenge is found in not screwing up such a good base model kit.

Gunnie

I just hope we get a specail ops version somewhere down the road... or at least a conversion kit....

Nate
Wisc. USA

Yeah - me too! I'm greedy - I want them all!

I'd like to see Tamiya take a crack at the Ambulances and the Shelter Carrier...

Gunnie

Yep, same here! Although I think one can make a DUMVEE conversion with the M1025 kit. The main elements missing are the rear bed slats, rear bumper, and roof rollbars. HobbyFan's Humvee sells these but that's $20 more to make a DUMVEE.

I find it interesting that Tamiya gave the option of two grills. The grill with more slats was produced to better protect the radiator and engine from incoming enemy bullets. The grill with the wider slats was made before. As such, I really wonder if modelers would chose the grill with the wider slats = more vulnerability.

I, for one, have enough TOWs so I doubt I'll buy the Tamiya Humvee TOW if one is made. I would buy the DUMVEE though IF Tamiya leaked information saying they'll make one. Why? Because I'm set to convert the M1025 into a DUMVEE and that'll cost mega $$$. I don't want to sit on my hands and see if Tamiya will make a DUMVEE or not and if they do, I might not buy it for I already spent $$$ making my own.

A modeler in Singapore doesn't stock the Tamiya Humvee yet so I suppose the world's hobby stores doesn't have it yet.

Pete and Gun truck
I really want to do one of the vehicles I saw up north in Iraq (on Tv). I think they'd have a seller on their hands ... (hint, hint, Mr. T?)

Nate

Just to say, Hobby link have shipped my 3 boxes today (1-5-03) :-)
Not Long!

Rob

I was just thinking (a dangerous thing for sure) that it would be nice to have a HMMWV Campaign one day for a model group build...

Gunnie

The Tamiya Humvee (since it's not a DUMVEE) is missing the ever important rear bumper. Now the HobbyFan Humvee has this and so does AEF. I suppose anyone who wants to make a DUMVEE can try to buy parts separately from AEF (like the rear bumper, winch, and tires and maybe the perforated weapons mount). That would leave the bed slats the only major item to scratchbuild.

I'd go for the Tamiya version because the doors can be mounted open and you have that ever important B-pillar between the doors to mount the roof bar. As such, you can even show the DUMVEE with doors off. MR Models sells the vehicle SINCGARS.

If Tamiya ever decides to make the DUMVEE, they should load it with gear :-)! In truth, it'll be a nice and unique Gulf War 3/ Op Enduring Freedom model!

I guess the world's hobby stores will get the Humvee in a week or so....

Another post for those interested:

Here at this link, you can see the contents of the Tamiya HMMWV model kit and even all the pages of the Instruction Sheet.

Man, the Internet is something else...

Gunnie

http://www.1999.co.jp/asp/GoodsDetails_e.asp?Bno=2767801&It_c=10030647&Typ1_c=102&Typ2_c=&Typ3_c=&Spage=1&SC=0&app_url=top_right102_e.asp

Now if Mr Tamiya could do the same with the LandRover, then my bank balance would seriously diminish :-)

Heres living in hope.

Happy modelling all

Ant Phillips

Welcome aboard Ant....

NATE

Welcome - and heartily agreed! A new Tamiya LandRover would be most welcome in my collection

Gunnie

Especailly a Land Rover modified for US Rangers!!!!!

Nate
Wisc. USA