I am interested in ordering the IDF Achilles from AEF Design in Colorado. The kit cost $15 plus S&H. Several questions---has anyone built an Achilles with this after market product? And, how realiable is the quality of AEF Design?
thanks
DJ

Hi DJ ,

AEF's references are usually very good, and thereby making his stuff pretty accurate. casting of late has been good or better. Just as a note Academy Europe site has announced a IDF achilles which includes a funky mMG setup and smoke dischargers. BE careful if your going to use this kit most IDF mods are in the turret. For some nice interior shots checkout my webshots page from the link on my homepage.

Joshua Weingarten
IDF armour group Janitor
www.homestead.com/shiryon/index.html

Every time I have asked about AEF, I have had 50 different responses. However unfortunately, many times they have come into the 'don't touch with a bargepole' category. I have seen many complaints about orders being delayed for weeks or even months. Some people have commented about sloppy finishing. Others, to be fair, have said that they are excellent...
The other way of aproaching this is to wait for the Academy M10. Now there is a problem attached to this, the information I have is that the Achilles is only going to be available for the European market, which would mean buying from an on-line store in Europe... As I would assume you already have it.....another Achilles for the collection?
Jim

Actually I don't have the new 'IDF' but the original Achilles . As I mentioned unless they give you the modified interior, getting this kit if you already have the old one in hand gains you little. external modifications are few.

extra jerry cans
close up right side antenna mount (hull)
add four smoke dischargers
changeout front fenders to standard shermanType (included in Eduard PE set)

Internally tere is a radio rack at the right rear of the turret inplace of readyrounds
there is an interesting 'wire ' frame at teh breach block and an additional mount of some kind centerover the maingun. academy I believe mouts a .30 here. IDF vehicles of the period carried a single .50 on most armoured vehicles. standard crew weapon would have been the uzi with folding stock.from photos I've seen under the turret ring the vehicle was the same as standard models. very few of these vehicles were aquired probably 10 or less. their use in combat is open to debate. hope this helps

Joshua Weingarten
IDF armour group janitor
www.homestead.com/shiryon/index.html

I fall into the category of "Buyer Beware" with AEF Designs. I waited nearly 4 months to get my order when I was told it was on the way after one month! The kit finally arrived, safe at least from the around the world journey, (why else would it take so long), but the kit suffered from what I would consider too many air bubbles and flash.

As always, I thank you for your insights. Any idea on when the Academy IDF Achilles is due for release?
thanks again
DJ