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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
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Boston SWAT MRAP?!
amoz02t
#192
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Kentucky, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 12:00 AM UTC
Still trying to understand the Lenco Bearcat truck as used in the Boston photos. Bearcat is built up on an F550 frame so I looked online for chassis. This photo is marked "ford__diesel_regular_cab_chassis_f550_4x4" and looks like what Lenco might have started with...





Comments?
retiredyank
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Posted: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 12:04 AM UTC
It would appear that the rear axle on the F-550 is too long. I also doubt that the exhaust would be the same, on the Bearcat.
amoz02t
#192
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Posted: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 12:27 AM UTC

You have got to try the Bearcat sales video link here...and the music kicks! Will try to get screen grabs of dashboard..also...
http://www.dpccars.com/car-videos-12/02-18-12page-Lenco-Bearcat-G3.htm
amoz02t
#192
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Posted: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 12:41 AM UTC
amoz02t
#192
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Posted: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 04:32 AM UTC
This is another screen grab from the video (link below) of the dash. Sorry for the poor quality.



http://www.dpccars.com/car-videos-12/02-18-12page-Lenco-Bearcat-G3.htm
amoz02t
#192
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Posted: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 04:40 AM UTC

Quoted Text

It would appear that the rear axle on the F-550 is too long. I also doubt that the exhaust would be the same, on the Bearcat.


Well in regards to the rear axial, I am confused at what we are looking at. As this F550 frame shows a "dualie" (4 wheels in rear), and the Boston SWAT Bearcat photos show a dualie, but the Bearcat G3 video above shows two in the rear and 4 total (like a 4X4). I need to do more reading... Any comments on options for a F550?
gogs007
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Scotland, United Kingdom
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Posted: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 05:04 AM UTC

Quoted Text

MMK models make a panther version, would be easy to convert....

i think italeri are going to make a plastic version of the italian version
Youngun
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Posted: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 06:04 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

It would appear that the rear axle on the F-550 is too long. I also doubt that the exhaust would be the same, on the Bearcat.


Well in regards to the rear axial, I am confused at what we are looking at. As this F550 frame shows a "dualie" (4 wheels in rear), and the Boston SWAT Bearcat photos show a dualie, but the Bearcat G3 video above shows two in the rear and 4 total (like a 4X4). I need to do more reading... Any comments on options for a F550?


The G4 is built upon the standard F-550(450) I'm not sure which, the G3 is built on the same chassis but with larger off road tires, similar to MRAP tires. It's more meant for off roading, whereas the G4 is in the city. But there is also the G4 MRAP version. So the nomenclature isn't to clear. but the one picture d is the one built off the F-550(450) dualie frame.
amoz02t
#192
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Posted: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 12:17 PM UTC
Yes ...on the wheels, you can see that the dualie version has a lockable (lock out? free wheeling?)front wheel center hub. The photos I see of the other 4X4 like the G3 video looks like the front wheel has a bizillion bolts on the front. What is that pattern all about as the weight of all those front wheel lugs alone would slow the beast down?
retiredyank
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Posted: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 11:33 PM UTC
I believe the number of bolts, on the front wheels are the result of wheel adapters. Had this epiphany browsing EBay. The rear axel should not be too hard to modify. You can just remove the outer wheel and paste the hubcap into the inner wheel. If the wheels differ, remove both rear wheels and paste the outer wheel onto the section of axel the inner wheel attached to.
amoz02t
#192
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Posted: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 11:47 PM UTC
Does there exist any kit of a F550 in any scale? I wonder if there is a 1/25 scale wrecker or something out on the market that could serve as a base for a Bearcat?

I lack the skills demonstrated by others (like Mother's SEE or the Caveman's ABV) that could from scratch make this truck and be presentable...
retiredyank
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Posted: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 11:56 PM UTC
I have given the suspension some consideration. While I'm out of my depth, I don't believe the chassis would be too dificult to scratch build. All that is needed are the measurements. I'll try to contact Ford to see if they can give me the details.

Ford's customer service/public relations dept. is currently down. Will post, after I have made contact.
TacticalSquirrel
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Connecticut, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 01:01 AM UTC
Why don't you try just going to the source and talking to Lenco?
amoz02t
#192
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Posted: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 01:55 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Why don't you try just going to the source and talking to Lenco?


Yes. Not interested in anything proprietary, only dimensionals to create a free advertizing tool if this leads to something (even picked up as a kit?). 89B and others on this site have traveled that path with photos leading to plastic. Perhaps we need a walk around? As you suggested Steve, these things are in a lot of towns. I like the idea of a little more digging as that is half the fun of this hobby. Need some time away from work soon!
JScicluna
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Tasmania, Australia
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Posted: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 02:13 AM UTC
Try http://swattrucks.com/products-bearcat.aspx or googling Lenco Bearcat

Unless your in Law enforcement getting technical specifics will be quite difficult as Lenco closely guards that information.

Here in Australia every state police has one and I would assume that nearly all US Swat teams would have at least one bearcat in their arsenal as this is where Lenco originates.

They are a great vehicle, armour resistant and they are also designed to withstand blasts from underneath. The small "windows" on the side are actually gun ports so that operators can engage from inside the vehicle.

They do have Elrad capability as someone else mentioned and inside they are very comfortable. Even has air conditioning which is a nice change!

They look awesome in real life and would make into a fantastic kit!
amoz02t
#192
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Posted: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 04:38 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Try http://swattrucks.com/products-bearcat.aspx or googling Lenco Bearcat

They do have Elrad capability as someone else mentioned and inside they are very comfortable. Even has air conditioning which is a nice change!

They look awesome in real life and would make into a fantastic kit!


Jimmy - Interesting insight on the Bearcat origin! Thank you for posting. Also ..just to confirm...is Elrad the same as LRAD or Long Range Acoustical Device? I agree that a Bearcat would make for an interesting 1/35 scale kit. Thanks
JScicluna
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Posted: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 02:52 PM UTC
Yeah sorry it is 'LRAD', I had just finished work and it was very late here. There's a mount for it to be attached on the roof. On the first photo on the top left hand corner of the vehicle is a high quality zoom camera which has IR capability as well.
amoz02t
#192
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Posted: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 02:53 PM UTC
Lenco has a facebook page where they recently posted a video of the events in Boston...
some screen grabs showing the Boston Bearcat peeking in the boat. I assume this is a helicopter view of the Bearcat...



and a Humvee with the Boston Bearcat...
amoz02t
#192
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Posted: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 03:01 PM UTC
This Delaware County Ohio truck has its hood up so must be conventional type opening I guess?
JScicluna
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Posted: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 04:56 PM UTC
These are some newspaper articles for when we obtained our bearcat last year as well as other Australian jurisdictions. I know its not the Boston PD but there is quite a few publicly available photos of it to compare.

http://www.examiner.com.au/story/156659/police-take-delivery-of-bearcat-anti-terror-vehicle/

http://www.police.tas.gov.au/news/posts/view/3049/Armoured+Rescue+Vehicle/

http://mypolice.qld.gov.au/cairns/2012/07/25/armoured-rescue-vehicle-launched-in-cairns/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lenco-Armored-Vehicles/135602733156594
Trisaw
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Posted: Thursday, April 25, 2013 - 11:52 AM UTC
http://voices.yahoo.com/lenco-bearcat-g3-armored-transport-rescue-truck-12047318.html

Something I wrote up. Do check out the REFERENCES for some nice articles and videos on the Lenco Bearcat.
amoz02t
#192
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Posted: Thursday, April 25, 2013 - 02:26 PM UTC
Peter! Great write up! Thank you for posting. I especially like references at the end including the Jay Leno walk around and test drive video with the LAPD. link repeated here...
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/cars/ford/lenco-bearcat/index.shtml#item=210834

windysean
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Posted: Friday, April 26, 2013 - 12:22 AM UTC
Looking at AMOZ02t's interior photo, there's no doubt about the Blue Oval on the steering wheel and "SUPER DUTY" over the glove compartment. Note too that Los Angeles drives theirs enough that the driver's heal wore through the carpet under the gas pedal.
We've established clearly this is not any MRAP vehicle, but from a scratchbuilding starting point, is anything salvageable from Kinetic's RG-31 kit-- wheels, axles, suspension components, dash? The price seems reasonable compared to the Vajra resin Ford F-450 (US$39 vs. US$89).
Or were you guys thinking entirely scratchbuilt? (Is Mother still around reading this?)
always planning,
Sean H.
TacticalSquirrel
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Posted: Friday, April 26, 2013 - 02:43 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Lenco has a facebook page where they recently posted a video of the events in Boston...
some screen grabs showing the Boston Bearcat peeking in the boat. I assume this is a helicopter view of the Bearcat...



and a Humvee with the Boston Bearcat...


Indeed, that would be the MA Army National Guard's 747th Military Police Company, they had M1151's and other HMMWV's providing support.


Here are some more Bearcat pictures, this is the CT State Police's Bearcat with an LRAD on it. This was taken yesterday, all sorts of butthurt about them being out at about yesterday.









There is also this, I have no idea what the hell this is...

amoz02t
#192
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Posted: Friday, April 26, 2013 - 05:19 AM UTC
Interesting photos Steve! Seems like their LRAD placed on the bumper would be catching rocks all the time?

Just to follow up on the Jay Leno video truck... there are 20 still photos on the same site including better interior shots than the screen grab above. This is LAPD Rescue #4 Lenco Bearcat...





Same worn carpet under the gas pedal as noted above
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