Hi everyone.
I thought it only fair after the nightmares I had with the M-ATV to post my build of the RG-31.I was very leery of getting into these,but I really liked the vehicles and at the show I was at there wasn't much else that interested me.So it was bite the bullet and just go for it.Picked up both the American and Canadian versions.Luckily the American kit was first edition with the MB figures and checkpoint kits.
Very much to my relief things went together quite well.The instructions for Kenetic can still be improved.I find they have a bad habit of showing placement of parts on the side you can't see and then not showing the part in the next steps were they should be located.A few minor things I'll mention later.Anyway,here's the start.A lot of sub-builds on these that really could be done at the time of assembling the area.

Tom

Looking good....this is on my "must get" list

Good luck to your new attempt with a Kinetic kit! I am sure that this will be an easier build than the M-ATV! Looking nice so far!

A few progree pics.
Things are going quite smoothly with this build.I find it almost hard to believe it's Kenetic.I.m actually really looking forward to the MAXX PRO.I did tinted glass on my MATV using Tamiya clear green and wish I had left them alone.This time I used Future tinted with food coloring and the results were much better,you can control the tint and if you don't like the result it comes off easily with Windex.I'm quite enjoying this kit and dare say I would recommend it.Looking forward,I would have prefered plastic covers over tail and headlights and the 50 cab is pretty lame looking.I may change it to a spare Academy.

Tom

A short update.Next will be the finished kit.

Tom

Obviously there's no interest in this,but i thought I should at least post the finished product.Once again,all in all it's a very nice kit.

Tom

I thought about building a UN version of this captured by the bad guys...
Dan

I missed this the first time around. It looks very nice. I like how it was finished. I would remove the Coke case from the rear fender though. One, it looks too big, and two, something that precious would be kept inside so it doesn't get "liberated".

Nice! I noticed the Black Dog figures in the background... will you be doing a EOD vignette?

I know I'm late, but I just reviewed a really nice photo reference on the RG-31 I'm very impressed with: link.

Mario

Hi Tom. That looks great. Can't believe how quick too....

This is definitely on my Christmas wish list

Really cool looking rg, congrats for your build !

Many thanks to all.Gino,I thought it was a little too big at the start.Dan,I had considered a UN version to.They supply the decals.Mario,are you a mind reader,yes that's the plan.Sean,I hate to say it after the their first kit but, yes put it on your list.
Next is the Canadian version.

Tom

Great job Tom!

I have both the US and Canadian versions but I haven't started them yet. I'll use your posts and photos here to help with my build. Well done!

Bob

Very nicely done. Good job tinting the windows too.
As for the Coke, well... I guess my stand on that is well documented here on Armorama. Nothing like tooling around the desert with a crate of caffeinated drinks to make for a heat casualty later on. I'm sure other units load up on it though, so it's not necessarily incorrect. We never took any though. Since you have elected to use it, I'd leave it exactly where it is. Crew space is more precious than Coke. The three biggest killers in an IED blast:
1. Not wearing seatbelt
2. Not wearing helmet
3. Unsecured cargo becoming a missile.

I'd rather not have to worry securing the Coke to a seat, wasting space, AND seatbelt that could be used to secure more vital gear, like go bags ans ammo.
Sooo... Secure those boxes that are on the floor of the vehicle, (You can put them in the seats if you like, but I'd put them on the outside as well) along with the fi'ty. Add some more mission essential cargo and you'l have a winner there.

Thanks Robert.Not being in the forces,what is considered mission essentials?
Bob,the Canadian version is next on my list.If you have any questions on the US let me know.

Tom

It would depend upon the mission, but some items would be common to all.
I'd go with one go bag per crew member, WATER, spare ammo, WATER, an M5 aid bag, WATER, an aviator kit bag or two (for SSE)
which Legend makes, WATER.
For big army units who might spend the night in the desert (which I for one have not seen in either theater)I guess they might use cots and sleeping bags, and need more MRE's. A whole rucksack per man violates my "travel light, freeze at night" philosophy. A go bag would normally have an emergency blanket and a few pared down MRE's anyway. For interest, maybe add some sort of black Pelican case with unknown contents (could be anything - biometric kit, or other "special" equipment. You can tape down some smoke grenades within easy reach of the gunner, along with a can of other goodies, flash bangs, pen flares, etc.

Tom congratualations for a great looking and built kit!
Did you face any problems with the windows, because it is said that the clear parts cracked once placed in position! Did you faced-noticed something like that?

Hi Aristeidis,

I was a little concerned about the same thing after reading some of the reviews,but it's been weeks now and nothing has cracked.I don't know if using Future and food coloring for the tint did anything to prevent that.For the Canadian version I may just put a coat of nontinted Future on to be safe.

Tom

Nice to hear that Tom! Congratulations again! Looking forward to your next kit!