I just got some of Eduard PE set 35581 M-1025 armoured door set today and was wondering if that would be a correct door or conversion for a OIF at anytime from from start till - present because I know that most Humvees in the beginning where just regular.

Or is the blast -models set a better choice.Because Blast-models are more expensive than Eduard set and are resin and better over all quality to detail.

Plus I just think the Eduard set gives you more stuff than Blast-models.Thats just my opion.


Happy Modeling

The PE set you mention is only to detail the INSIDE of the doors. It is not a total door replacement. It still represents a standard, non-armored version of the Humvee door. It is a nice set should you wish to open your Humvee up to show off the interior. Time frame here doesnt matter, as this set would work OIF to present.

The Blast set would seem to be an armored door version made in the FIELD by US troops. It would appear it is based upon a non armored door fitted in the field with additional, bolt on armor. I don't know if this was fitted during the run up to or the inital assualt during OIF. Most likely it was done once the inital assault was completed, later on during the conflict.

Most USMC Humvees are armored from the factory to begin with, with verison M1043/M1044 and M1045/M1046(TOW) models being the most prevelant. These are bais c Humvees with suplamental armor. Softside Humvee's used the soft, un armored canvas doors. There of course are exceptions, but rarely will you see an unarmored version, the M1025 or M1026 in service with the Marines. Most have been manufactured or upgraded to M1043/M1044 or M1045/M1046(TOW) in recent years or the newer spec of the uparmored M1121 (TOW) or M1114. As a result, you will find few factory armored Humvees with any additonal field armor, besides sand bags; most field upgrades were to the troop carrier/soft skin versions (M1097). Wheww! Hope that is correct, bound to be some errors there.

The newest, up armored factory versions are the M1043A2 and M1123. These have the latest armor package to better resist the RPG and mine threat posed in Iraq, post OIF main assualt. They work very well. More updated versions of existing vehicles are sure to follow. There are a couple of photos of them in my gallery.

I am not familar with Army versions, but from what I have learned, there were significant numbers of un armored, basic Humvees, the M998 and M1025, in service prior to and during OIF. Most have since been up armored in the field or replaced by newer equipment from the states. Those that have not will be done by March 2005, with most combat Humvees finished long ago, leaving base duty vehicles to be done.

Both sets look good, I have purchased the PE set for the M1046 USMC TOW and the Blast resin sets to upgrade the weapons ring and additonal stowage. Both were superb. First time purchasing Blast products, I will definately do so again. Eduard is Eduard, always a great product, for me anyway.

Hope this helps. Any questions, please feel free to email me. I had to do some research on this topic for work.

Melon