I've been working on the Tamiya kit of the Komatsu LAV off and on for the past four months, but didn't think of taking pictures until today (doh!). For this build I also acquired the Eduard PE set, which has some fairly nice parts but is probably not as good as the Voyager set. I have most of the exterior finished at this point, and have primed the shell. I am also working on the seats and interior. Here are some pics of where I stand right now.

Note the wire grab handles on the hood--Tamiya left these off even though they are very prominent on the real vehicle. I have not yet added the wire guards for the headlights--I will leave that for last, as they are very fragile.


Here you can see the chains on the smoke grenade launchers as well as a few bits of PE and new bolts I made from stretched sprue. I also drilled four holes on the base of the smoke poppers, per reference pictures.


Here are two more views of the shell.




I added hinges and back adjustment levers to the front seats , per references. I used leftover bits of sheet styrene and sliced some sprues for the round hinge parts. I then used some 28 gauge wire and bits of sliced sprue for the adjustment levers. I didn't have a good reference picture of the levers, but I think they turned out OK.


The seats are brush-painted with Lifecolor satin black, which gives a convincing vinyl look, IMHO. This was my first use of Lifecolor paints, and I am very pleased with them so far. I'm going to apply some future and flat coat to the hinge parts and the lever respectively to differentiate them from the seats themselves, per reference pictures that show the hinges are quite glossy.


Here is a picture of the doors as they currently stand, painted in the overall color of the vehicle, Tamiya's HGSDF Olive Drab (which is really more of a dark green). I'm not too sure I like how the door panels came out--I used Tamiya's RLM Gray because it was a close match to reference pictures, but it looks too light on the model. It was also a bear to brush on and wouldn't level properly. Let me know what you guys think. I'm holding off on detail painting until I decide whether the panels stay as they are or get repainted.


Next, I'll work on the center console and dashboard. I really like the instrument panel face Eduard provides. I'm also going to try to scratch the seatbelts, which are missing from the kit and the Eduard set. I'll post progress pics later. Let me know what you think--any tips would be most appreciated.

Build looks good so far.
Take this as the compliment it it, under the primer I cannot tell what was etch (other than the smoke launcher chains of course), scratchbuilt or kit parts.

I've got one, stalled for lack of detail photos. There is also a dearth of build up pics or build logs out there.

You mention references, but I'm not aware of any pics online or books devoted to the subject?
Do you mind telling us what are you using for references and where did you find it?

Mike

Looking good !

Keep them coming !

Thanks for the compliment, Mike! I sympathize with you on the dearth of reference pictures and builds. Here's my list of reference sites, which were helpfully provided by readers on this and other modeling sites.

http://www66.tok2.com/home2/tankguy/jgsdf03/keisoukou.html
http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/infantry/lamv/lamv.html
http://www15.tok2.com/home/lttom/military-powers_jgsdf/other/military-powers_keisokou.htm
http://www.openstockphotography.org/stock-photography/Light-Armored-vehicle-(JGSDF)

The following link has the best picture I've seen so far of a LAV in Iraq:
http://www.ericsiegmund.com/fireant/will/iraqslideshow/pages/JGSDF%20Light%20Armored.html

Note that the hydraulic window opening cylinders are not present in this picture (but the attachment points just below the window frames are), probably because of the up-armored window configuration. Since the Tamiya kit depicts this type of window, I chose not to scratchbuild the cylinders.

There is one Japanese magazine that had a pictorial of the Komatsu LAV, too, but I have not purchased it. Here is a link to the review here on Armorama:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/489

The Sept. 2004 issue of AFV Modeller magazine also has some pictures of the LAV in Iraq, but I haven't found a copy to purchase yet.

I also found the December 2004 issue of Tamiya Model Magazine pretty useful--it has a build article that also showcases the Voyager PE set. Unfortunately I bought it AFTER purchasing the Eduard set and using about half of it.

Hope this helps!

Great start! Love the look of this little guy. Dan

This looks like a great build so far. This is a very obscure subject that doesn't get much exposure. I'm glad to see someone building this kit. I hope to do one someday.

I have subscribed to this thread so as to see future updates.

Keep up the great work.

I absolutely love the look of this vehicle and I'll be following the build with interest. It looks good so far.

I don't think the door panels look bad, but it's hard to discern any brush marks or uneven areas from the pics. I can't really comment on the color, since I've seen very few reference photos of this LAV.

-YL

Some pics showing the Komatsu LAV in Iraq :
http://tankguy.gooside.com/lavIRAQ/LavinIraq.html

HTH
Frenchy

That's some really nicework so far, and thanks for the links. Bookmarked

More OIF LAV pics (from Flickr.com) :





HTH

Frenchy

Many thanks for the images and links, I've got them all saved to the old hard drive.

I had looked on the JGSDF site but not seen any the last time I looked.

Now, does anyone have a url for some free time to use to build?

Mike

Lookin' good Lucas. Lot's of nice little details you've added. Especially the teeny weeny holes drilled into the smoke poppers base.

I'm surprised at how clean these machines look in the pics that have been posted here. There's a little dust on the tires and that's it. They look absolutely mint.

-Matt

I tossed this in the buy and sell forum, but thought I'd ask here too..

Anyone got a set of the Eduard JGSDF-LAV Iraq etch 35741 they're willing to part with?
Or know of a web supplier with it in stock?
Preferably in the states.

No joy at Great Models or Squadron, I've got no great loyalty to them, just have bought there before.

Mike

Another option : what about Lion Roar PE set (#E35042) ?


$13.09 at Lucky Model (with free shipping).....

[quote}
Another option : what about Lion Roar PE set (#E35042) ?


$13.09 at Lucky Model (with free shipping).....[/quote]

Thanks for the suggestion, I've got that one and am looking for the interior bits.
The Lion Roar set does the hood grills and the entire brass turret, but does not contain any of the interior bits.

yeah...I am that AMS

Mike--the Eduard set has a few bits for the doors and a rear view mirror, but no other internal parts. If you still want to get it, you can try discountmodels.com (here is the URL for the page: http://www.discountmodels.com/eduard_armor_page_7.shtml ). I got it there for $10.36, which is a pretty good deal.

You may want to consider the Voyager PE set (#35038), which includes many of the same internal bits--but not all--and additional ones, including new interior handles for the doors. It is selling for $11.69 at LuckyModel, with free shipping (here is the link: http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=PE%2035038 ). The pictures of the set in the Tamiya Model Magazine indicate it is a pretty good set.

Looking back, I wish I had bought the Voyager set, as it appears more complete than Eduard's. Oh well...

Thanks for the suggestion, I thought from a quick peek at the Eduard instructions at their site there were dash and guages, and floor bits, as well as door handles and such.
I'll look into that set too.

Mike

You're right, Mike--I totally overlooked those bits even though I painted Eduard's dash film a couple of days ago (doh!). There is indeed a dash with both paper and film instruments, as well as two floor mat pieces, one for the gunner's stand and one the rear cargo area. There are no door handles, however, and that is quite noticeable, unfortunately.