Hi all,
I intend to build the early LAV 25 by Trumpeter and have a number of questions.

The kit does not come with the roof mounted MG. I have a Platt mount and the associated M240 (If Im' correct). Is this mount suitable?

Which time frame would be correct for such a mount? I guess it is neither correct for Desert Storm not for SFOR.

So the next question is, depending on the time frame which camo should I apply, plain green, desert tan or three-tone?

The last question is about the fluted barrels included in the box. The first one has a long flash suppressor and is fluted only on one side. The other one (coming with the figures sprues and not the vehicle ones) is fully fluted and has a shorter flash suppressor. Which one is good and compatible with the answers to the questions above?

TIA
Olivier

Hi Olivier

Here's a picture showing the type of MG mount used on SFOR LAV's :



IIRC it's the type pictured in the kit boxart...

Talking about the gun barrels, I guess you should better use an aftermaket one whatever time period you choose Both variants (fluted or not) can be found.

Here's a non-fluted example from RB Models :



and a fluted one from Voyager :



Both look much better than the kit ones...

The Platt mount is OK for OIF of course. AFAIK it was part of the LAV Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) circa 2000.

H.P.

Henri-Pierre, your info matches up with what I was told by the LAV crewmen, the fluted barrel and and Platt mount were part of the SLEP and are appropriate for OIF. However, all the LAV's in theater had the Platt mounts even though they had not been through the SLEP especially on the USMCR side of the house.

I have seen at Prime Portal a series of pictures of early LAV 25 in OIF. Even though they are not clear you can see the Platt mount abd the fluted barrel but not the SLEP other features which is good for my project.

I just checked Echelon decals site and unfortunately the set of LAV 25 OIF markings is out of print. I guess I'll have to make some template from masking tape. From the pics it looks like there were only markings on the rear doors so that should not be a big deal to create them.

Thanks for your input HP and John.
Olivier

If you want accurate early barrel buy the Aber one. The RB Model barrel has inaccurate muzzle brake.

Thanks for the info Pawel.

H.P.

Oliver, if you're looking to do accurate masking tape markings for the LAV 25, the ones for my company in 4th LAR are pretty unique and would work work well with tape. Some of the pics on Prime Portal are from my platoon commander, I can't recall if they show the company markings. Let me know if you want some pics.

Thank you for the proposal John. PP pictures only shows markings on the rear doors. I can't see anything on the sides of the vehicles.
I intended to use the stencils in the box but the USMC XXXXX numerals are not correct for your platoon. I'll probably have to print the right ones.

Another challenge will be to depict the camo net wrapped around the hull top.

HP, concerning the barrel, it will be the fluted one. I just have to look at the period pics to decide which model it was.

Olivier

I started to assemble the turret. Trumpeter tells you to glue the mesh of the rear basket outside the frame. Is this correct?

I have a set of turned brass antenna bases with the hemispherical base not the usual rod shaped base. Would it be suitable for an early OIF LAV?

TIA
Olivier

According to an old issue of Full Detail series, yes the mesh was welded from below. Trumper kit contains part C15, a curved rod that would mount the M60 m.g. on ODS vehicles. As for the antenna base, I would go for the cylindrical one, still it depends how "early" will be your build. Desert Storm or Just Cause?

Thanks for the input Hans-Hermann.
I intend to build my LAV in OIF in the three-tone camo covered with a bunch of personnel gear and a camo net if I manage to depcit it.
A series of pictures at Prime Portal are my references but the lack of close-up pics does not help in some areas.

Olivier