Gents,
I was lucky enough to win an AFV Stryker kit (the initial release) plus a nice set of resin wheels/tires in the raffle at my model club. (Los Angeles Miniaturists Society, if you're near L.A. get in touch, it's a great club).

So, being on a tight budget, I'm asking for informed opinions on what aftermarket I should get. Seems like all those straps everywhere are pretty much required, I found a Voyager brass set for the Stryker that has 128 straps w/ buckles, at a bargain price.

But what else? I can only afford one extra item, should it be photo etch, or (and this is what I'm leaning toward) the stowage set by Legend? That looks like it has enough to do several vehicles, and I heard it also has strap material?

Anyway, your thoughts are appreciated, I'm a lifelong model builder but new to the armor thing, so any ideas help a lot.

here's the Voyager set http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=PE%20A167

and here's the Legend set http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=LF1153

thanks in advance!

Straps are better rendered from scratch than p-etch; they sit better and don't cost a dime but your time. PM sent.

Im inclined to suggest you spend the money on a nice set of resin crew figures!

The AFV cub kit is a really fantastic kit out of the box. Its incredibly well detailed, and any aftermarket sets basically replace some of the heavier details (and of course the slat armor). Items like the straps can be easily fabricated from masking tape, you can even add your own buckles and such from scrap PE. The RWS could do with some extra detailing in the form of adding a few missing electrical wires, again easily self made using fine solder wire. The headlights too require some wiring added. Some of the heavier details can easily be added using fine plasti card among other things, its just a case of having good references. About the only thing id say is a must is perhaps Voyagers perforated suspension guards, which as far as I remember cost very little.

Of course if you had a massive budget id suggest a whole range of PE detail sets. But I think if you want to have fun with this and end up with a nice looking model, then some decent crew would be the best option, considering many of the details can be added yourself with some very basic modelling skills!

Heres a few reference links you may find useful:
http://www.primeportal.net/apc/stryker.htm
http://gallery.kitmaker.net/showgallery.php/cat/13103

dont worry about the straps, after 1 deployment most of them are missing or cut off anyways. they are class 9 and if they ever do come in and dont remain on the shortage annex they get stuffed into the strap bag thats full of replacements anyways and is usually left in the connex.

that being said, build it without the slat in a conus or onconus role pre/post deployment. it will give you flexibility in what you do on a budget, the only thing after that is make sure the build coincides with the mods for the unit and year your building.

besides that, have fun building it.

Check out my build log. My MGS has a full voyager set for the M1128. This was my first voyager set, and although it is time consuming, the results and very worthwhile.

ROB: HAHAHA took care of that already! A guy at the last meeting had a Hobby Fan set for sale (2 guys inside the turrets), it looked really good, traded him a giant stack of magazines I had brought in (to give away, actually, but what the heck?), so I'm all good on that part of the build...

MICHAEL + SEAN: I'll check out the build, and thanks for the tips...the slat armor just isn't in the realm of possibility for this one...

thanks!

Guys,
Here's a pic of the Voyager strap set. It's only $5.99 w/ free shipping, so even if I cut off the belts and used tape, would it be worth it to have all these buckles, rather than scratch-built stuff?

Well if you have the crew sorted then the best aftermarket option id suggest is a nice PE set:
http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=PE%2035162

I have that Voyager set and its very nice indeed, offers just about everything you need to improve the kit, minus the perforated suspension guards. Also note that the resin RWS is a separate item!

Thanks Rob, I was looking at that earlier at LuckyModel. It's in my allowable price range...

Some of the etch in the Yoyager set is a little demanding, and some of the stuff is incredibly small so you may end up omitting some items, but its a great set and really adds a touch of finesse to the kit. That strap set looks quite good, but id personally suggest getting the suspension guards over that.

You should get the Stryker upgrade set from AFV Club. It contains the perforated suspension guards in plastic, the signal horn, new style armour of the rear door, the thingies that are on the wheel hubs instead of the step rings. AFV Club also has the exhaust deflector as PE part for a small amount.

That brings your Stryker on the latest standard (minus SLAT etc.)

After that I would invest in further PE for detail emprovement.
Arms Corps Models just released Resin continuous tie- downs in case you think about replacing them.

Thomas

Thomas,
Thanks. I actually bought that upgrade set, but the instructions are so sketchy, and my knowledge limited, so I thought all that stuff was for other types of Strykers than the one I have. I was actually gonna sell it!

I will have to look at it more closely, thanks for the heads up.