I'm new to the group and re-entering military modeling after about about 30 years. From the internet searching I've done, it looks like there have been a LOT of advances in the hobby since my last build.

My first project is going to be the M1114 HMMWV I had for part of my time in Iraq. I've been trying to find a good base model to start with along with any detail and conversion kits to go with the build.

Here are a couple of pics of what I'm modeling:





I've read several suggestions on here about sticking with a Tamiya kit as the base. These are the two kits I found on the Tamiya site:

http://www.tamiyausa.com/items/plastic-model-series-20/1-35-scale-military-miniature-12000/m1046-humvee-35267

http://www.tamiyausa.com/items/plastic-model-series-20/1-35-scale-military-miniature-12000/m1025-humvee-armament-carrier-35263

Any suggestions on a base kit to use and any conversion or detail kits to add?

Thanks,

Dennis

Yup, You've been out of a hobby for long time, indeed Here You are - excellent model of M1114 version:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/6008

To use the Tamiya kit as the base, you'd have to get the Legend M1114 conversion, which is a very good set with fine details.
If however, finances or using a resin conversion influence your decision, the Bronco M1114 is a very good kit straight out of the box. You could still improve the details with another Legend set, the M1114 detail set.
I can't tell what's going on with that turret, but it sure looks like you'd have a little scratch building ahead of you either way.

I'm pretty sure the pictured armor plate and gunshield are the same as those fitted to some USMC MTVR's :



They're included in Voyager PE set for this truck :



H.P.

Thanks for the fast replies!!!

I'd seen that Bronco kit but wasn't sure on it. A few posts on this forum suggested with sticking with the Tamiya.

However, in the long run, I'm going to build my whole platoon of 4 M1114s so the Bronco is probably the most affordable.

I'm finding the Bronco kits from $40-$65. Does that sound about right?

Good catch on that turret Henri! We got this M1114 from the Marines so that makes sense.

Also, for the interior detail and Blue Force Tracker, is the Legend Conversion Kit the best way to get that?

There is no need to get AM commo gear for it. The Bronco kit already comes with a good SINCGARS setup and BFT terminal. It is a pretty complete kit.


The Legend set doesn't have the commo gear anyways. It is only a nice to have set and not a must have to make it look good. It really just adds some underbody armor plates, new smoke grenade mounts, a BFT antenna, the missing A/C blower in the rear, and a few smaller PE items.

Thanks Gino! Just got a Bronco kit and M1114 detail kit ordered. Look forward to working on this.

Bronco's set doesn't have all BFT components. There is a screen and a PLGR or DAGR, but no antenna, keyboard nor CPU included. So maybe think about one of these sets:
http://www.voyagermodel.com/productdetails.asp?itemid=PEA259
http://www.etmodeller.com/product/html/?290.html

This Bronco's kit has also some minor mistakes, so be careful or ask in Your future WIP thread

Thanks Kuba. I'll look into that kit. It does look nice. We had the newer SINGARS so I might have to do some chopping on one of these kits to be accurate but those still have some nice details.

If you're buying them singly. The few kits I still purchase I usually get at least three at a time from ebay. You can make ridiculous deals with a lot of high volume sellers there. Of course most folks don't need three of the same kit, but it sounds as if this might be a good option for you.

If you want ASIP SINCGARS, Pro Art makes a SINCGARS set that has both ICOM (larger) and ASIP (smaller) radios in it. It is really a nice set.



They also do a US Modern Satellite and Radio Comms set that has Harris radios, computers, speaker boxes, handsets, etc. that would moist likely have all you need...and then some. It only has SINCGARS ICOM radios though.

And if You want to know, what's generally available in Humvees' world - take a look here:
http://humvee-models.com/viewforum.php?f=35

Well first,let me thank you for your service to the country.Also humvee-models.com is a great site for anything on the subject.

blackliondecals has a nice set for screen i had them made custom made there if you aks you can order them there


http://www.blackliondecals.nl/

henk

Out of interest, does anyone make a plastic/resin set which gives you the parts for the gunner protection kit and armored doors. The reinforced windscreen would also be really useful. That would fit the Tamiya M1025? Would love t build something like this one day:

Front doors are included in Academy's M998 IED Gun truck. No rear doors in plastic nor resin nor PE.
Gunner's shield GSK is easy to find in many kits or aftermarket sets. Back armor plate - in Voyager PE set, as in Frenchy's post above.