I have to start this by saying I am a Obsessive Compulsive WWII German armor builder. But, I have a soft spot for modern wheeled AFV's. After reading posts from other members, I started pondering why other manufacturers don't make more of the modern wheeled fighting vehicles. There is a lot of subject matter that could be covered yet only a couple of manufacturers even bother. As far as a manufacturer goes, I cast my vote for Tamiya. I would consider AFV Club as well.

I would like to see them do US and Canadian variants of the LAV with interiors and a well done HEMMT to name a couple. I would even like to see a kit of the concept HIMARS vehicle (wheeled MLRS). Tamiya did a fair Bradley interior so I don't see why they can't do an LAV interior. I think there is a large untapped market for wheeled AFV's. I have talked with many modelers who don't build tanks due to the tracks/bogie wheels fight. I for one would like a break now and then from building the usual tank.

Is there many people here who share similar thoughts?

I don't think it's simply a matter of limited offering of modern soft-skin/wheeled vehicles. Compared to the WWII offereings, there is a limited offering of all modern armor. Heck, look through a copy of Janes Modern Armor and you'll see a lot of modern vehicles that will never see the light of day as models. I would like to see more modern wheeled vehicles as well, especially the heavy haulers.

I love wheeled AFV's - so anything a MFG comes out with is interesting to me because there's not much out there. Skybow and AFV Club are heroes in my eyes

Gunnie

There are several soft top HMMWVs such as the two by RoG, one by Academy and 2 (1 OOP) by Italeri. They don't get made much because most people want to build a tank. Esci and Italeri both did LAVs, and Italeri did do some of the US heavy haulers (OK, not the best kits, but good enough for a start), AFV Club did the deuce, RoG did the modern German ones and some Eastern European manufacturer does former Soviet wheels (trucks and armored vehicles) as well as DML doing the BRDM and BTR. We all know Tamiya does what Tamiya wants.

With the US trucks already out by AFV Club, Italeri and Academy (HMMWVs), I doubt we will see more of these variants. However, once the Stryker is finalized and into full production, I bet Italeri will come up with one and RoG will rebox a different variant.

There is also the new Heller VAB 4x4 and it looks like they plan to do a VAB 6 wheeled version as well.

I agree with Gunnie. There are only a hand full of wheeled AFV kits available (I had mentioned this on another thread some time ago). One of the things that really brought it to the surface forme was when I was reading through a NATO AFV book, and picked up a copy of Military Vehicle's magazine. There is a slew of extremely interesting wheeled vehicles in use by the different countries. Many of which I'd just love to build!
But, if I may add to what GreyHunter has already stated about the market being "media driven", the market is also market driven. It's a 'no-brainer' to tool or re-tool for a new Tiger 1 kit, because almost everyone in the armour modeling world is a fan of german steel. The flip side of that is, how many people would be as interested in building the latest Soviet armoured recon car, or the Isreali version of the John Deere 'gardening tractor'?

Tread.

BTW, I'll bet that JD 'gardening tractor' is what Kenc' drives around the Florida gardens he's so fortunate to work at.

Your talking about the M1114 Humvee? Should be to hard to do in Resin. I wouldnt mind geting one myself. My Scouts in my Unit got them when we deployed to Bosina and they where still called XM1114 at that time in 1996.

I personally would like to see the Mobile Gun Verison of the Stryker and the APC verison. Though the APC would be the best bet since people could base the 19 Different Verison of the Stryker off that. A Centouro in plastic would be cool too. I saw some photos on the internet of the 2 ID using them in place of the MG Stryker in Washington state.

To sgtsauer, try a Russian BMP- series vehicle, they are a decent modern AFV.

Chris Pig no.1

DML did a BTR a while back. If I could find nice (accurate) resin wheels and PE for mine, I'd be really happy.

One problem with kits of some of the more modern vehicles is that the government tends to be stingy about information. They aren't big on releasing dimensional info, etc, just so some model geeks can build an accurate model. And I'm guessing that the interior will remain hard to see for a while, too. Sighhhh...can't we all just get along?

I'll be searching for obscure kits again, soon. I plan to see what is driving around when I get to Bosnia, and try to find kits of them. Nothing like having the 1:1 references close at hand! I'll be in Sarajevo, in the more international area of the country, so I expect there will be some unusual subjects (unusual for me!...I usually only get to see US stuff.).

would anyone like pictures of the mobile gun version of the stryker there is two of them sitting here on ft lewis?

sauer
revell of germany makes a wheeled model of the fuchs and luchs. i do have reference photos if you'd like.

That would be great armyfiremn!...Post away.

Tread.

fireman, I would like to see a couple of pictures of the Stryker mobile gun version as well. My email is [email protected]. I have an SFOR Luchs to complete if I ever get around to it.

alright gentlemen i just got done taking pictures of the mobile gun version of the stryker today. i should have them developed and put on a disk soon and mind the fence in the pictures if they do come out.

I agree with gunnie as well. SInce my modeling skills have mainly been geared to civilian cars, wheeled AFV's are really nice, becuase they bridge the gap between car and tank. I just bought a half track yesterday too that I am SURE I will enjoy doing very much.