Hi Gang,

the owner on my LHS told me yesterday that he got word from FALLER GmbH (the German distributor for Italeri), that I taleri announced the Re-release of their M977 HEMTT model. According to him, the price should be around 33€.

Regards
Hans-Hermann

In the meantime, you can also find a Chinese re-boxing for 20 Euros (and parts for the M978 tanker are included !! )
http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=IT%200298CN
Even though the instruction sheet is in Chinese, I think it's a good deal

Frenchy

Good find, and photo-etch is included too!

Cheers,

Christophe

Hi Frenchy,

hopefully Italeri will release the M978 in the near future in Europe, too. So we don`t have to wait for a HEMTT from Trumpeter

Cheer
Hans-Hermann

P.S. Anyone who is interested, there will be a comprehensive walkaround on the M977 A4 on Primeportal next month.

Good find, Frenchy!

Seems worth the money, even with shipping --- very reasonable... Has anyone built this kit? Is it a decent build or a pain? I love Italeri's choice of subjects, but they do take a bit more effort in some instances...

Anyone know if the original issue came with the PE and truck bed/tanker options included in the Chinese re-reboxing...?

Hans-Hermann, when you spoke to the distributor, did they say if the kit was going to be a straight re-boxing or were there going to be any additions or changes to the kit...?

Would love to see an armored variant from Tamiya, Trumpeter or Hobby Boss,,,, Would also love to see the Marine variant/cousin to the HEMTT as well!!

Thanks!!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

Hi Johnny,

as far as I know, Italeri never upgraded their kit when they Re-released it. In general, The HEMTT are pretty basic kits, first relesed in the 1990`s. There are some good AM kit available from Pro Art Models Real Model plus some PE from Eduard. Unfortunatly the Italeri HEMTT are the ONLY game in town,yet.
But let`s see if Italeri is able to learn.

Schönen Tag

Hans-Hermann

Hi Johnny
Italeri had released the two truck kits separately, without PE. The M977 kit # is 292, the M978 kit # is 298.

Frenchy

I built both of them when they originally came out in the 90s.

The cargo bed version went together OK; but I seem to remember some fit issues on the rear of the tanker version if my memory serves me correctly.

I've seen one of the tanker versions sitting on the shelf at my nearest HobbyTown store. If the price isn't too outrageous it might be a pretty descent build for someone.

Many thanks, H-H, Frenchy, and Richard!

Sounds like the Chinese re-box is the way to go --- will have to save up for it!

Man, this just seems like the PERFECT subject for Trumpter given their modern US truck (LMTV) releases, although given the price tag for those kits, an HEMTT would probably be pretty pricey!

Thanks again, folks!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

Hi Johnny,

I don`t want to scare the horses too early(a German proverb), but I know that one good soul provided Trumpeter with HEMTT M977 and M978 drawings from Oshkosh and hundreds of detail pics. So it`s only a matter of time `til we see a GOOD HEMTT kit rise.Patience boys!!

Hans-Hermann

I tell you guys one thing if any of these kit's come out here in the US I'll buy as mini as I can.






That will keep me from having to scratch build them.

the original issue was only done as the M977 with no photo etch or tanker option the tanker version was issued as full kit i have both and are very nice kits except for the tires

Hi all,

the mailman just delivered me Italeri China`s M977/M978 kit. It contains the sprues for both versions plus a fret of PE. The instructions are for both versions but the decals are only for the M978 Tanker. Intersesting is the PE fret, which has zthe following item on it.
1. Sideparts for spare wheel rack.
2. Frontgrill
3. Perforated cover for exhaust
4. Windshield wipers
5. MLC sign
6. OSHKOSH nameplate for front
7. Mudflaps with OSHKOSH logo
8. Steps for cabin
Plus some more items I can`t identfy since there`s NO instructions how to attach the PE. Perhaps a more details instruction sheet will be provided by the Italeri Europe release. By the way, I bought the kit for 27 EUR.
I will use the kit for a M977 A4 somewhen later.

Cheers
Hans-Hermann

Wow, H-H, that would be cool! Given what the price tag for Trumpeter's LMTV is, I have to wonder what an M977/8 would cost?? Still, it'd be worth saving for!

Thanks for the great news... and for the breakdown of the Chinese Italeri re-box, which I hope to get. Very helpful!!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

Update :
I've just noticed that the original Italeri M977 kit appears to be back in stock at some French online stores like Azimut Productions....


Frenchy

I wonder what Trumpeter or Dragon would do with either of these kits.

Des