does anybody know how up to date the Tamiya USMC AAVP7A1 (kit 35159) is? and if there are any after market conversions or anything i can get to update it to OIF style ? cheers, mike

As far as I know, there are 4 possible combinations of armor and suspension in photographs I've seen. In order of most likely(AFAIK) they are:
1. Upgraded suspension and EEAK armor package
2. Old suspension and EEAK armor package
3. Upgraded suspension without EEAK armor(mounting points)
4. Old suspension without EEAK armor(mounting points)
I think options 1 & 3 also have a new muffler/exhaust system as well.

For #35159 it's already got the trim vane and upgraded weapons station.

Blast Models has a suspension upgrade:
http://www.phpshopxml.com/blamod.shop/CID/54c607974b874025009ea4bac2f24aa4/function/itemPageDisplay/shopItemCode/BL35025K
PMMS Review:
http://pmms.webace.com.au/reviews/vehicles/blast/bl35023-25k.htm

There is a Kirin EAAK set floating around but it's rare and the asking price is high. Also one from AEF designs but haven't seen it.

As for mounting points, if you have the patience(which is why this is back in the box) then you can try adding them by hand from strip styrene squares.


Paul

Hi Mike,

I assume this is the latest Tamiya kit featuring the Up Gunned Weapon System (UGWS), if so this represents a Desert Storm era Amtrac, but without the Enhanced Applique Armour Kit (EAAK), there was an update set for the EAAK from Kirin but it is OOP and hard to find these days.

There was some discussion either on this board or Missing Links about adapting the EAAK from the Wusan/Trumpeter? kit which is less accurate than the Tamiya but includes the extra armour, take a look also at the update set for the new Bradley style running gear from Blast Models, for a review of which look here :

http://pmms.webace.com.au/reviews/vehicles/blast/bl35023-25k.htm

HTH & happy modelling

Ant Phillips

It has been rumored that Blast will also be releasing a set of EAAK armor, but I haven't heard of a time frame yet.

Mike

Rumours are indeed going about Blast coming out with a RAMS update set, because they already have a set with the new suspension.

Other alternative is the Kirin set, but it is OOP, expensive and I was told it fits very badly...

AEF Design also should have a set, but haven't that one eihter...

Also, on Missing Lynx Modern forum was a discussion going on another topic, but I found following interesting picture depicting 2 (new???) AAPV7 kits:

http://www.tamiya.com/japan/products/35269m1a2/index.htm

forum topic can be found at:

http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/thread?forumid=47209&messageid=1069095472