...in the UK, here at least;
http://www.abcmodelsport.co.uk/shop/683/12385/Hobbyboss-135---AAVP-7A1-Assault-Amphibious-Vehicle-w-Mou.html, and I'm sure it must be in other shops as well.

So I wonder how long before it hits the states??

Mike

edit: I just checked HLJ, and they have it too.
http://www.hlj.com/product/HOB82413

im going to have to get me one of these =]

Mike,

I understand that this has a full interior as well??? I can't wait to lay my hands on it...and paint it up as the one that almost drowned me back in my Camp Lejeune days...

S/F

Pat

It does look good! ABC models is one of my friends shops

MArtyn

Yes Patrick, it has a full interior. There were some pics posted here of a test shot but they have been removed. The inside did look good though.

Mike

Just to wet your appetite :
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10080261a/20/1
Instruction sheet :
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10080261

Frenchy

Great interior...but $80USD for a plastic kit????

I make the conversion using xe.com about $40 plus shipping based on the uk price off £27.99 which is what the retail price appears to be in the UK based on the importer at Creative models.

I would expect some of the Hong Kong based stores to be a little cheaper but who know these days with the way currency currently Fluxes.

but having said that based on buying the

Tamiya kit - £27
hobby fan interior - £70
hobby fan - EAAk mounting kit - £24
blast models -correct running gear, wheels and tracks - £29.50 (or cutting them from a Tamiya Bradley kit if you have a spare one)

When adding it all up It does look like the hobby fan kit does look a decent price in the end.

Hopefully they plan to release one with the EAAK armour on

Note I am only guessing that the Hobby fan kit has the correct running gear, as i believe the AAVP7-A1 was updated to Bradley running gear due to the additional load of the EAAK armour, so I am hoping they have corrected it, otherwise you may still need the Blast models set .

cheers

Keith

Keith--From the photos, it looks like the Hobby Boss kit has the old running gear setup and is intended to be a pre-RAM/RS upgrade AAVP. This should not be a problem if you want to model a non-RAM/RS vehicle (which took part in OIF). The old running gear is correct for a non-upgraded AAVP7A1 (the added weight of modifications in the 90s and the EAAK armor really taxed the old suspension, reducing ground clearance and resulting in greater maintenance needs, but the suspension was not upgraded until the RAM/RS program began in 1999). The running gear was changed as part of the RAM/RS process (see this article for details.

The Hobby Boss vehicle seems correct for a plain old AAVP7A1, much like the Tamiya kit. It does not appear to have any of the RAM/RS upgrades (new running gear and exhaust). Hobby Boss also has a RAM/RS version of the AAVP7A1 listed for future release, so cross your fingers for that one!

Here is the link to the Hobby Boss AAVP7A1 RAM/RS kit announcement:
http://www.hobbyboss.com/82415.htm

FYI--you can distinguish a RAM/RS vehicle from an old AAVP7A1 by the return rollers and a horizontal cylindrical exhaust behind the two crew hatches on the RAM/RS vehicle.

Wow! Been waiting on the AAVP7-A1 release with baited breath! Looks like it is going to be a good kit. The interior looks nice. I'm really hoping that the EAAK-equipped model includes the suspension changes/upgrades --- I'm counting on this being a "one stop shop" kit with no need for aftermarket purchases...

For my own selfish reasons, I'm glad that the EAAK AAVP7-A1 kit was not released first --- I still need some time to recover from Christmas (and ongoing unemployment) Guess we'll see the other models released over the next couple of months.

Thanks for the heads up and links, guys!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

Seems most model companies are taking the path of releasing less desirable kits first these days, as much as everyone would love a full RAM/RS EAAK set up first, this way hobby boss create a bit of interest a get people buying in the first place, i guess that why AFV club did the MK5 cent first and are slowing doing the more popular ones.

The kit itself looks stunning, interior looks amazing-always room for improvement though, looks like a lovely basis for a super detail job. I cant wait till the other variants come out.

Is it out in England ?
If so , I'm off to get one. Love the shape of those missle magnets.

Hi John

its available in the UK RRP £27.99 should be in stores now or buy direct from the importer creative models

HTH

Keith

Hi,

has anyone got one of these? Any good? Hope it is, caus they are gonna have to redeem themselves for the crappy Leopard 2 series. Was looking at a Tamiya one in a model shop a little while back, I knew that HB was making one but the Tamiya one looked a bit toy like. Should I had went for the Tam one or wait and get the HB one?

/Josh

Leave it to HLJ to start gouging us now as well. Oh well, they fill a niche for those who absolutely have to have it before it lands here.

The Non-RAAMS AMTRAC in OIF did have some of the RAAMS inprovements however including the EAAK kit. There were plenty of them in a "hybrid" state just missing the upgraded suspension and exhaust.

PM me if you're interested in more info.

There will be a review of this beast up in the next couple of weeks.

it would be nice to see what the verdict of this eagerly waited get gets

No pressure then

indeed LOL

The EAAK armor package and the RAMS/RS upgrade are not the same thing. They are independant of each other. EAAK came out long before RAMS/RS upgrades were thought of. RAMS/RS was actually partly due to the added weight of the EAAK. Straignt LVTP7A1s / AAVP7A1s had the EAAK first. And yes, there were quite a few non-RAMS/RS AAVP7A1s in OIF.

I received my kit this morning, and I have to be honest and say that just by looking through the parts in the box it appears to be very good.

I just need to compare it against the Tamiya one and the Hobby fan interior I have lying around somewhere to see how it stacks up.

Having brought the Hobby boss leopard A5/6 and been very disappointed with there over scale anti slip pads, they have added some anti slip to the AAVP-7a1 that is very similar to what Dragon did on the M1A1 and not over done.

the interior look quite nice as well, the tracks are single links that clip together with the triangle pads being a separate item

this is one kit I am really looking forward to actually building, how were did I put that storage set

cheers

Keith

I needed something to go with some M1114. And the Hobbyboss AAVP-7A1 has a interior OH Man.I have two of the tamiya AAVP-7A1.I'm gonna see what the hobby fan interior has to offer and see what they both have as detail.

Happy Modeling
Tom

Just FYI......
Squadron is showing this IN STOCK. So, it is here in the USA!