As I lurch and stumble towards the completion (I hope in time) of my Cold War Cook-Off M151A2 I have set my sights on the next project...

I want to build a LAV-25 for a Marine friend of mine...

I have a couple of questions, well maybe more than a couple.

First, although it seems that the Italeiri (sp?) is the only game in town, how accurate is it? From my initial research it seems that the 2 hatches on the turret are too small. Additionally it looks like the turret is too short by a significant amount. One of my problems lies in the limited research materials I have on it. Except for a photo-reproduced, but well done, booklet by a company called Full Detail, I have zilch. (This is where the too small turret info is gleaned from.) Are there any good sources of info onthis vehicle out there that anyone is aware of?

Any and all input and info would be appreciated!

Now...back to that Mutt! Times running out!

THANKS in advance!

Jim

Jaster,

Italeri is the only way to go. DO NOT, I repeat... DO NOT use the ESCI kits.

I don't know if the hatches are out of scale, but I do know that I had a great time with my Italeri-AT.

Ditto! ESCI isn't even an option to seriously consider - go Italeri!

FINISH that M151A2 too!

Gunnie

Italeri makes several LAV variants including the LAV-25 you mention as well as the LAV-AD (air defense), LAV-TUA (TOW under armor), and the LAV-M (mortar carrier). Revell of Germany also boxes the Italeri LAV-25, and for some reason, it is cheaper.

Esci made several variants, including the LAV-25, LAV-TUA and a LAV-C (command track). AMT/Ertl also boxed the Esci kits here in the states. The Italeri is the more accurate kit, the Esci ones are long OOP and getting harder to find. The Esci kits are cheaper when purchased on sites like Ebay. I recently bought the LAV-C for less than $10 and the LAV-TUA for $6.

Unfortunately, neither Italeri not Revell have done the tires justice. Check out the LAV tire thread for a description of MLMs tires. Or just go to the website below.
http://www.mapleleafmodels.com/

There is also the book out by Hunnicut on armoured cars...I have been told that the LAV series is within it.

If anyone finds a good set of Linedrawings for the turret, I am looking for that info too. I think the turret height/shape is ok, but if you want those hatches open, they look like they will need to be reworked.