Hi Guys,

I was a long time a quiet Reader here, but I got some questions for the trumpeter LAV-A2 kit,
I've read some topics here and from what I read, the Trumpeter "A2" is more likely an "uparmored A1". Correct?

So, what do I have to change to get an actual LAV-A2 in Afghanistan?
From what I've seen so far on pics, the visionports on the sides need to be eliminated and the muffler changed to the "old" style muffler without SEP.
Something else, or are these the major changes?

Sven

Welcome to Armorama Sven !

I think you're on the right track Both Black Dog and Blast Models A2 sets include the "new" muffler (without the SLEP cover). Maybe one of our resident LAV experts could help with the other differences between A1 and A2 variants

Frenchy

Thx for the welcome
I already ordered the Black Dog upgrade kit, but asking what else is "wrong" seemed to me a good idea. I'm no expert on modern vehicles, I'm more a "shermaholic" but wanted to build something completely different

Did you see this thread ?
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/168745#1416385
According to it, the loader's optics has to be upgraded for the A2 variant...

Frenchy

Ah thanks, didn't see this topic.

Hmmm, looks to me that the loaders optic has just a "round" cover instead of the boxy cover?

Anybody has a detail shot of the loaders optics with and without cover? I can't find one in my pics I gathered so far

I'm afraid it's the best I have (but there are a few more in the album mentioned in the linked thread)...


In all the pics I've seen, the cover hid the optics...

EDIT : just found another one (...maybe I have too many pics on my HD )



Frenchy

That would be the gunner's optics, on the left side, that need to be corrected. The other is for the TC. No loader. Another view of it.

Thanks for the correction Tony !

Frenchy

Thanks alot!

Just looking at the parts in the kit and the photos, my best guess is to just rebuild the cover. It seems to me, that only the riveted armorplate on the cover is left off when you look at the last photo. Trumpeter provides in the kit already a rounded box and a divided "plate" for the optics.

Hallo Sven,

The LAV A1 SLEP consists mainly of internal modification, like suspension, engine and transmission. Externally, they are distingishable, by the longer
coffinshaped exhaust cover.
The LAV A2 upgarde is mainly on vehicles protection, adding the socalled
Ballistic Protection Upgrade Package BPUP. I saw the BPUP also on LAV-M
and LAV-C² versions.
As for the plated over vision ports, there was a batch of new produced vehicles, which have the vision ports removed. Older Vehicles have openings in the BPUP. I also can say that you have to get the Blast Models and Black Dog set to bring the model to a most recent version.

HTH
Hans-Hermann

P.S. if you need some pictures, drop me a PM