Hi gang,

Heller annonced their VAB kit "upgraded" with a Kongsberg Protector RWS.
Although I know that the Heller kit is a dog, this models appeals me.
So, any pics of the vehicle used in AFG will be helpful.
Frenchy??

TIA
Hans-Hermann

i got some photo's from my deployment last year.
they where from the French OMLT

Hi Hans-Hermann

Here are a few more pics of the VAB TOP :





The 3 pics below come from an interesting photo album on Flickr :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theatrum-belli/sets/72157606273472581/







I may have more at home on my HDD (but I'm at work at the moment...)

Frenchy

Hi Gijs and Frenchy,

thank you the pics are a good start. But i believe that this model will be another Blast Models orgy;-))
@ Frenchy: What does the designation TOP mean?

Hans-Hermann

TOP = Télé-OPéré = remote controlled

HTH

Frenchy

Hi all,

Some more pics: http://maquettegarden.free.fr/Vehicules%20Modernes/VAB%20TOP/index.xml

beware !
the VAB on these pics are "revelorisé" " (new armor)
the Heller vab is an old kit with not new armor !
waiting to see the real kit "Kongsberg"....
bye

Hi all,

thanks for the helpful informations. I don`t see a problem with the add-on armor, should be easily made out of plastic sheet. But I guess that Blast Models will come with a solution for the VAB TOP for sure.

Cheers
Hans-Hermann

Sure


Frenchy

Hi Hans-Hermann,
the add-on armor panels are not that simple in fact. Basically you're right, some plastic card will do the trick but you have to cut it the right shape and dimensions. Moreover, there a lot of "bolt heads" to make which will be the most "boring" part of your project.

There are some home-made up-armored VABs on French forums. Feel free to have a look at them.

http://maquette-garden.forumactif.com/forum

http://www.colleurs-de-plastique.com/forums/index.php

Olivier

Salu Olivier,

I am aware that building the add-on armor is time consuming and boring.
That`s what keeps me from building the TPz.1 Fuchs A8 A3. But I think it´s better to wait for the Heller kit and see what they have done or not.
I meanwhile continue with making plans for my USMC M1A1 with Dozer in AFG.

Thank you all for the help.
Hans-Hermann

Henri, stop posting cool pics!.......must refrain from building VABs.........

Yes, I'd love to see a brand new Fuchs from Revell.

Nick, don't refrain of buidling VABs! We don't see enough of them on the forum, especially the current versions.

Concerning the future Heller VAB TOP, we could expect some improvements in the VAB itself. Heller recently made a survey in French forums to know what they MUST improve in their basic kit. That means no new tooling but at least some efforts to change some awful parts like the tools rack, the cable, the weapon station. We'll see how it finally will turn out.

Olivier

Sorry Nick...I'm afraid I can't help it

Frenchy

Hi Olivier,

of course, a state-of-the-art Fuchs kit, being constructed modular would be appreciated by many. I don`t believe that Revell will do the Tpz.1 A8 A3. Revell is a typical mass producing company, selling their kits into department stores to the broad public. The AM industry is more than happy about the "cheap" Revell kits.
But I gave my Fuchs pics to a Chinese company a while ago, but I guess it will be quite while `til we see results.
BTW did anyone know what happened to the announced Fuchs from AFV Club,
must be 15 years now?

Hans-Hermann

Olivier, I'm indeed planning to build the current A-stan deployed variants available by Blast-models...(3 versions me thinks) But I've to save up a bit first!



Henri...you are a bad bad man,


Hans, sorry to hijack your thread..

I have that same VAB Kit as wll and I'm going to keep up with your work once it starts.