I've found lots of nice looking conversion sets for VAB from Blast Models... There is a VAB TC20 conversion, interior set and a cabin interior... There are also tire sets and basic update set as well as the driver figure to go along...

I like this stuff very much, but before I decide to go for it... does anyone know more about these sets? BTW, what is Hellers VAB like in the first place?

Mario M.

the heller kit has some major fit issues with the hull you'll need loads of filler and stuff
best bet is to visit Missing-Links and look through the modern/
constructive comments forums as you will find threads about it there hth

I have not built any Blast Models sets for VAB yet, but I have almost all of them and must say that they look very good! The detail is great and molding quality is perfect. The only problem I noticed is that they pack all the tiny resin parts in one plastic bag without any additional protection and some smaller parts get broken sometimes, but it is nothing that couldn't be fixed.

And as for Heller model it is only good as a base for major conversion, as by itself it is very poor.

Regards,
Pawel

Pawel, have you seen this new VAB conversion, it just appeared on Blast website: new VAB... you can hardly see Heller's model here. Looks great!!!

Mario M.

Well, I wonder why they used Heller model at all for this one... Looks that only a few plastic parts remained - they could have made them with resin and no-one would have to buy Heller kit...

Rgds,
Pawel

[quote]

......I like this stuff very much, but before I decide to go for it...[/qoute]

Whooaaaaaaaa! Holy Batman. I know I've been away awhile, and I know I haven't 'yakked' at Maki in awhile either (howdy Maki ), butttttt, Maki's going to do a VAB? GREAT!!
If his VAB turns out anything like his Fig's, it will be absolutely excellent!
Can't wait to see ya tackle it Maki. If you'd be so kind as to post 'in-progress' pics so we can all enjoy your 'journey'..... :-)
I've also got the Heller VAB. In fact it's about a third of the way completed(assembly). I got right up to the part where I'm supposed to clean-up and install the headlight grills...........jeeeeezzzzzzz,
bloody awful stuff that. The body and most of the major parts are pretty much fine. Heck, even the wheels and tyres are acceptable. But where the Heller kit really dulls (opposite of 'shines'), is the small parts mouldings. For the most part they're either pretty bad, out of scale, or just plain wrong. So, the way I look at it is this; the Heller kit is a dandy bargain at around twenty sheckles a box. Saves me loads of time scratching the major parts, and I can still add all the AM parts to make it allllllllll better.
I've been wanting to build modern wheeled AFV's for awhile now to add to my growing ' variant' armour collection, including the new Stryker, M1117 Guardian, Canadian Bison APV, etc. etc.
With the help of people like AA, maybe the VAB can be something after all!

Tread.

Now all I need is someone to come up with a kit of the good 'ol BV-206!...............

Hey Tread... where have you been hiding? Nice to see you back...

I really like all those VAB conversions and I'm sure I'll get them.. eventually. After getting myself AA's Landrover WMIK my modeling funds are... well... there are no funds and I have to keep a low profile for some time.

Anyway.. the cost of the whole thing would be really high:

Heller VAB 26 EUR
Blast sets VAB T20-13 35 EUR
VAB DRIVER 9 EUR
INTERIOR VAB SET N°2 17 EUR
WHEELS SET FOR VAB 9 EUR
UPDATE SET FOR VAB 17 EUR

total 113 EUR

or another option

Heller VAB 26 EUR
Blast sets CONVERSION NEW GENERATION 75 EUR
VAB DRIVER 9 EUR
INTERIOR VAB SET N°2 17 EUR
INTERIEUR VAB SET N°1 18 EUR
WHEELS SET FOR VAB 9 EUR

total 154 EUR !!!

OK, I shouldn't have done the calculus...

Mario M.

Maki,

The T20 set already comes with interior, so that'd be a bit cheaper. Check the photos on Blast's web site. It's an awesome set, but it'll take a lot of time with all the fidly bits.

Cheers

Olaf

Olaf,

Yep, T20 has the interior included, but I don't think drivers compartment is included too. Am I wrong? Do you have the kit?

Mario M.