Hello Everyone,

it took me nearly 12 months building the M1126 Stryker ICV from AFV-Club with the Pro Art Model Slat Armor.

For building the model I used various PE sets from Eduard and Voyager as well as kits from Hobby Fan, Helo, Pro Art and many more. Dirk from Pro Art helped with the fire extinguisher backpack and the fire blanket canister.

Thanks a lot to the 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment "Cougars" for providing material about the real Strykers in Iraq with all the upgrades. I tried to build the model as detailed as possible.

I also would like to thank Dirk Vangeel and Mig Jimenez for their great help.

Have nice Sunday
Ralph

Nicht schlecht Herr Specht ,um nicht zu sagen SUPER
Hello Ralph , a top model really a very good one work

Greeting Jürgen

Raiph
This is my favorite Gypsy Wagon look for the Strykers. You've done a great job on all the details, faithful to your source material, well done.
Bill

Amazing work!

Excellent work!
I kinda like the look without the camo net, the supports are very well done and you can see more of the vehicle. Just my opinion. It looks great though.
Evan

Hi Evan,

my girlfriend said the same but I wanted to build the model as close as possible to the real Strykers used downrange in Iraq by the Cougars. I know you dont see to much of the figures now. The ACU uniforms were much easier to paint than I expected at first. I added some camelbaks, Surefire Helmet Tac Lights and pouches.

Ralph

Wow. Amazing. Did you make the backboard or is that in a kit?

Hi Rob,

the Spine Board is from Pro Art Models.

Cheers,
Ralph

Good looking Stryker! Quiet, fast and lethal.

I surely could use a couple of the spine boards , do you know it these are available seperately or are the part of a larger set?

Dave

Really Great Piece of Work
Do you have a close up of the structure for the net?
Did you use the echelon stuff for the net?
Any SBS pics ??
Cheers
Seb

Hi Dave,

normally the spine boards belong to the GMV upgrade set but I will let Dirk Vangeel know that there is a market for these parts. I think he will also release the Macaw fire extinguisher backpack.

Cheers,
Ralph

Hi Sebastien,

I received some samples from Echelon and they look really good. I had some issues getting the nets from the decal sheet as they are very thin. But most of all I had the issue place them on top of the net sub-construction. Therefore I used a gauze bandages from my first aid box and some spices from our kitchen. I can take some close-up photos of the nets later this week. I really had issues building the net on top of the model, removing it for painiting and placing the net on the model again. It took me nearly two days building the net and painting it.

What do you understand by SBS?

Cheers,
Ralph

that is absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!

That is just how I remember Stryker's looking from my last tour! Really nice work.

Side-by-side maybe?
Evan

I will use some of the step-by-step photos in my upcoming report. Its just not sure which magazine I will send the report to.

Ralph

Thank you,Ralph.. I have yet to start my Strykers, terrified by the slat armor I think :-)

I have no words to describe my astonishment from this Stryker!
My goodness, with all those recent Strykers built here the urge to purchase one is so tempting!

Dave,

the most important thing building the Slat Armor is enough time and a rack to fix the slat while building.

Ralph

Step By Step, as in 'in-progress' or under construction photos. Fantastic Stryker Ralph! Would look great in a small urban diorama.

Jim

Here is a first one...

Stunning work. That is the sexiest Stryker I've yet to see . A question that perhaps a Stryker vetran on the forum could answer: Would the camo netting and support structure not make an emergency bail out over the top very difficult. In the event of on a roll over, fire or other situation tha, makes the rear door unacccesable, it seems the netting set up could be dangerous.

Regardless, this model is a masterpiece.

Michael

excellent build ralph ,
this is one of the best strykers ive seen ,, can you give me any details about how you painted the acu.s the crew realy do look amazing did you use a kit for them or are they scratch built ?? thanks in advance

[quote]Stunning work. That is the sexiest Stryker I've yet to see . A question that perhaps a Stryker vetran on the forum could answer: Would the camo netting and support structure not make an emergency bail out over the top very difficult. In the event of on a roll over, fire or other situation tha, makes the rear door unacccesable, it seems the netting set up could be dangerous.

Hi Michael,

you are right with the net. The 2 SCR used Hesco Barrier Mesh Wire below the camouflage netting as a support structure. Afterwards the Army introduced a standard sniper screen system.
Even with the risk of a roll-over or fire, its more dangerous to put your head out of the air guard hatch without a sniper screen.

Regards,
Ralph

Dear Ian,

I am glad you like my Stryker ICV. The Squad Leaders body is from Helo Miniatures (HM 35001) and the head from Alpine. The Gunners body is from Warriors (WA 35576)and the head also from Alpine. The air guard bodies are from Hobby Fan (HF578 & HF579) and the head again from Alpine. I used the pouches from the Trumpeter Stryker Figure set but remodelled them with Magic Sclup. I also added some Hydra Storm bags at the rear of their body armors or the IFF Squares on their MICH helmets. I used my own gear as reference. I painted the figures with Tamiya Acrylics. The basic paint consists of dark grey, olive drab and buff. Then I used a light grey with olive drab and at the end buff and olive drab. Just write me an email to [email protected] and I can send you the exact XF numbers later this week.

Kind regards,
Ralph