Who knows whether the Marines had the new Up-Gun station in the AAVP7 around 1988? A diorama idea revolves around the Panama operation and the Tamiya AAVP7A1 with UGWS, but I'd like to know which turret- the single .50 or the M2 and 40mm grenades? Vehicles in the movie Heartbreak Ridge are using the old system, but I don't trust Hollywood for historical accuracy. I'd like to do this one justice.

Vodnik, I read your review after buying the kit, so that's now one of my references!

Thanks all,
Mike

Not a definite answer but Concord's 'Ground War Desert Storm' shows a mix up UGWS and the old style turret.

Paul

Below are photos taken in 1988. As you cas see both types of turrets were used at that time:

- Ocean Venture `88. 30 MAR 1988:




-amphibious demonstration for the 14th Annual Inter-American Naval Conference. 17 MAY 1988:



- Exercise RimPac `88. 17 JUL 1988 (note that UGWS is a new addition to these vehicles, it does not have desert MERDC camo on it):



- demonstration of an AAVP-7A1 amphibious assault vehicle for LGEN Carl E. Mundy, Jr., deputy chief of staff for plans, policies and operations. CAMP SCHWAB, OKINAWA, JAPAN (JPN); Date Shot: 15 DEC 1988



Pawel

I don't know anything about these, but I would like to, am I right that both academy, and Tamiya both make one of these, but didn't I hear that they are both wrong.

Then it seems as though I heard something about one of them was so far off, that it wouldn't even make a good toy, or was that just somebody disgusted at one of them.

Cause they looked good to me, but what do I know.
Can anyone of them represent the real item out of the box, or do you haft to buy that 60 dollar kit to finish them into a real representation of what is out there.
Kerry

That one would be a Trumpeter (Mini Hobby) model. Tamiya and Academy ones are quite decent and each of them represents slightly different version of this vehicle.

I've written reviews of all these models. Here is the link to one of the reviews and on the bottom of this article are links to all the others:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/425

Pawel

Mike,
I think the LVTP-7's in Heart Break Ridge were accurate. That movie was set in 1983 during Operation Urgent Fury, the invasion of Grenada. They still had the round headlight mounts, and the single .50 Cal turret back then.

How many AAV's were deployed to Panama? The only amour I have seen photos of during Operation Just Cause are U.S. Army M113's and Sheridans, and USMC LAV 25's.

Thanks for all of the answers, and the pictures! Very helpful. I think that this one will sport desert MERDC cam with a green Up-gun station.. I'd like to use the commander figure and he fits better into the new turret. Definitely from that period, if not the operation Just Cause.
Cheers!
Mike