I wonder if there are any pictures of the USMC command AMTRAC on the net. Google and DVIDS brought up nothing.
Frenchy????

Here are a few.

Here's a non-RAM/RS one in Iraq :



and a KFOR one :



H.P.

Excellent, thank you both! Now I can plan on converting HobbyBoss AAVR-7.
@ Gino: Do you tempt my to build the interior?

I misread and thought you were looking for interior pics. I say go for it!

If you just want an exterior model, AFV Club reboxed the Hobby Boss one w/extra resin parts to build the Command version. You can see the dirctions w/added parts here.

I saw this one earlier, but I wonder if it`s still in production and where to get it?

3 options :

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/afv-club-af35s70-aavc-7c1-assault-amphibian-vehicle-command-model-7c1--246253

H.P.

Check out this page from DIVDS - RIMPAC 2014 - US Marines, foreign nations patrol MCTAB during RIMPAC 2014

https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1449357/us-marines-foreign-nations-patrol-mctab-during-rimpac-2014

The C7 is not marked as the other AMTRACs with the AAV Platoon, Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, apparently based at MB Kaneohe. They have a CAxxx but this C7 doesn't. Note the additional rack to the rear.


At that time there were other photos which you can easily make out the vehicle number, but I've lost those pics.
Grant

Edit - SN was 522259 and was used in RIMPAC 2012.

Another option is to start with the Hobby Boss R7 kit.
AAVR-7A1 Assault Amphibian Vehicle Recovery - HobbyBoss - 1/35 You would need to source lower hull with EAAK fittings but you would have the internal details. The AFV Club kit doesn't have those sprues. You end up paying extra for the resin parts w/o sprues K, L, M, N and they only have the rubber band tracks.

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10250847/70/12 C-7 kit.

https://www.1999.co.jp/image/10087129/70/15 R7 kit

As an aside, I found that if you post a photo page rather than the kit page, you don't have to search for the kit at Hobby Search 1999.

Grant

I have some decent shots of C7A1s uploaded to PhotoBucket however, that site is currently uncooperative and a bit of garbage at the moment. Once it becomes accessible I'll post some pics of C7A1s.

What era C7A1 are you looking at building? "Straight-leg" or RAM/RS? Pre-1995 would be straight-leg and older radios (RT246, RT524, R442s). Post 1995 could be straight-leg or RAM/RS with SINCGARS. Newer suite on C7A1s provides captain's chairs and laptops for the operators in rear of vehicle, along with host other antennas and electronic boxes.

I'll keep checking PhotoBucket so I can post the C7 pics I have.

Hi guys,
thanks for all the input, I think I order mine from HLJ.
@ Daniel I try to build the latest version with Comrod antennas. Not sure about the interior yet. So any additional pics are welcome.

Here's one during the Advanced Naval Technology Exercise at Camp Pendleton, on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. :



You can even find a nice hi-res more recent view on the DVIDS website (I guess you're registered there ) :

https://www.dvidshub.net/image/5581235/amphibious-assault-vehicles-ship-shore-movement

A view of the optionnal side mounted MG :



H.P.

[quote]Here's one during the Advanced Naval Technology Exercise at Camp Pendleton, on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. :



You can even find a nice hi-res more recent view on the DVIDS website (I guess you're registered there ) :

You can bet that!

Hi Hans-Hermann
You have some pictures (exterior and interior) in the book by Dave Harper.

Olivier

Olivier,

do you have the title and the ISBN Number?

Trying something new. Uploaded my C7 pics to Imgur so there may be a learning curve to get these to show. It might take couple tries but, we'll get there.
I'll be deleting the PhotoBucket account since they've gone to straight garbage.

AAVC7A1

I guess Olivier is talking about late David E.Harper's book "Modern American Amtracs - Photo Guide Series " published in 2006 by Hard Corps Models. There's no ISBN and I'm afraid you'll have a hard time finding it...



PS : thanks for the pics Daniel

Happy New Year !

H.P.

@ Daniel Thanks for that excellent pics, very helpful! I am tempted to build 2 AAVC-7`s in different conmfigurations.

Happy New Year!

One more AAV Question. Has the AAV Survivability Upgrade Programme been cancelled in favor of the new ACV?

I guess so....

https://www.defensenews.com/land/2018/09/24/us-marine-corps-kills-amphibious-assault-vehicle-upgrade-program/

https://news.usni.org/2018/09/25/marine-corps-cancels-aav-survivability-upgrade

H.P.

Unfortunately. Late last year the Marine Corps put a 30-day stop work on the program then, cancelled the contract at end of those 30-days. Was a truly impressive upgrade. In addition to incomparable survivability for crew and troops she handled well. Instead of going over terrain she felt as if she was driving through the terrain - solid and smooth.
Fortunately (for me), I should have enough information to do a conversion. In 1/72 it shouldn't be too daunting. Couple pics I snapped early in the testing before they banned us from taking photos. Couple shots doing laps on the test track and another of me getting some stick time.

https://imgur.com/pTeG4rv
https://imgur.com/8HCReL5
https://imgur.com/0npqLh0

We have the AFV Club C7 kit on the shelf at the store, it's 80 bucks and to be honest I've done one and have one started and the resin parts are absolute crap in both of them. You're better off going the route suggested with the 7R kit - a fair number of the antennas can be source from aftermarket suppliers (sprue N from the M1130 Stryker will help also, the upgrade equipment set will also provide you an M240, Platt Mount and this sprue in the same box). In the end I will salvage those resin pieces I can't replace and aren't complete junk, I just wish Hobby Boss would come out with a C7 of their own and be done with it.

Sad to see those upgrades never been fielded. And the Boxy shape is an invitation foir scratchbuilding. Thanks for the informations.

BTW Will the ACV replace all the AAV family members? A recovery version and maybe a gun turret version with an MCT-30 would come handy

Hi John,
yes Hobby Fan kits are for (rich) hard core builders. I got their FH-70 as a present, absolute crap! I have several Stryker upgrades here, no problem to blunder them. But currently I work on a LAV-ATWS A2, quite challenging.

I salute you, gentlemen.
A year ago, I started a project to create the LVTP-7 family. Link to the blog: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/273413&ord=&page=1
Project is frozen, but will not be canceled.
The model from AFV is not so simple. the set is of poor quality casting and not very clear instruction on installation of antennas.
but thanks to the wonderful photos from Daniel, I almost did it. The model should be replaced (redone) stops and loops for mounting air filters, mounting additional armor (for the EAAK version). And most importantly - driving wheel of Hobbyboss gave him completely wrong.I am currently waiting for new loops and wheels to continue my project. also, for better performance, I recommend a set from Voyager-PE 35385 or PE 35350. I will watch the construction with interest.