Is the M88 and M88A1 Bergepanzer the same thing or is there a difference I have seen it listed as two seperate AFV'S if there is a difference which would be correct for Vietnam. Also Bergepanzer sounds like German armor could someone explain just curious.

M88A1G Bergapanzer is the German Army's version of the M88A1 and would not be suitable for Vietnam.

The other AFV Club kit is the M88A1 in US service but I am not sure if its appropriate for Vietnam either. From what I can gather the M88 was uprgraded in 1975 with a diesel engine which increased its horespower. Thus the M88A1 was born. I have no idea what major changes that would entail but I would imagine the engine deck would be different etc.

Hopefully somebody will be along soon that will have more details for you.

Jeff

AFV Club also makes an M88. The M88 was the version used in Vietnam. The M88A1 and M88A1G were later models used by the US and Germany respectively.

AFV Club have the M88 in their 'NAM V.N war series' but on the box they call it a 'Recovery Tank Bergepanzer' the product code for it is AF 35011
David

Frenchy

How much difference kit wise is there in the Nam m88 and m88a1 what im trying to say could the a1 be backdated to the nam version.

In fact the box name is written in 2 languages (for commercial purposes only : english and german). A Recovery tank is a Bergepanzer in german.

Mainly the engine, which wouldn't be noticeable in a completed kit and the absence of the auxillary power unit (aka "Little Joe") that sits in the right rear corner of the crew compartment superstructure. If you look at the attached box art, it is located right above the large white star decal on the hull side, just aft of the spare road wheel.

Just to illustrate Rob's post, here's a US Army M88 in Germany back in 1964 :

and here's a M88A1 (a German M88A1G Bergepanzer in fact...) :


HTH
Frenchy

Thanks for the info guys much appreciated.