Some good news from Trumpeter, they are releasing 3 1/35th variants of the AAV7A1.

I haven't heard anything on the web, through my various sources, but I purchased the latest copy of Xtreme Modelling magazine and on the back was the news.

Kit no. 00103 will be an AAV7A1 without EAAK, but with the mounting blocks. It would appear to be the upgraded RAM version, ie new Bradley suspension, upgraded muffler, ect/

Kit no. 00104 is the older LVTP7, no UGWS, older suspension. Not many of these are still running around in this configuration, but it would be great for an early 1980's through Operation Desert Storm.

Kit no. 00105 is an AAV7A1 with EAAK, the picture is a little unclear, but it appears to be the new supsension and muffler upgrade, the RAMs version.

This is GREAT news for us Leatherneck modelers. There is no date of release, but the guy at my LHS speculated a winter release, a nice follow up to the new LAV-25 from Trumpeter. Kudos to them for taking the initative with this important weapon system with a "few" combat operations unders its armored belt.

Ryan

Man, that always happens. I just finished collecting all the pieces parts to make a AAVP7-A1 RAMS; Tamiya LVTP7-A1 w/UGWS, Trumpeter EAAK from older kit, doner M2 for running gera, new Tamiya M2 track, and lots of referance photos to do the build. Guess they are waiting for me to build it for them to release the kit. Isn't that always the way it goes? Scratch it, and a kit will soon follow.

Think I will still build mine since I have all the parts and there is no release dat yet.

Any hint if they decided to include an interior? I plan on scratching that as well. The interior has always been the biggest omission in the LVTP7/AAVP7 kits to me.

Did one up for my older LVTP7-A1as well. Not totally accurate, but close enough for me.

Gino,
The ad didn't say, the AAV7A1 with EAAK blocks had the rear hatch down, showing the interior, but nothing was specifically mentioned in the article.


I too was planning to do the same, but luckly I had only purchased the new metal tracks from Friuelmodels.

Ryan

OK, what are you waiting on Gino?? get to building! The sooner you start the sooner they'll release their version. :-) :-)
Seriously, I too have been in the process of collecting pieces for one of these. I have the Tamiya kit with the Blast suspension update, pics of the interior, and was waiting for the Trax EAAK set so I could get started. I think I'll put it on hold till I see how this shakes out.

Cheers,
Mike

Guess I will have to get going on my Tamiya/HobbyFan one before these new kits come out or I'll never do them.


Jim

AHHHHHHH!

Bad news gents, after further research, it would appear that Trupeter's "001" series kits are in fact, 1/144th scale product line.

It seems that the advertising on the back of the magazine I have was layed out incorrectly. They are not 1/35th scale, but 1/144th, micro scale.

Or maybe they are listed with the wrong kit numbers in that ad, but that most likely isn't the case. PMMS has them listed with the same kit numbers in the 1/144th scale vehicle section. Looks like the conversions and kit bashing will have to continue, with a $150 total price tag to make a modern-combat proven-currently being used-operational vehicle, while each and every tank of the 40,000 panzers every made are reproduced in individual, distinct kit form, ad nausem.


Crap.

Oh well, I haven't scratch/converted mine yet. I'm sure there will be a model out soon after I do. There is still hope. Now I don't feel so bad that I collected all the parts. Build on!!

If they did Re-relase these kits, I hope that they did some improvements has their earlier efforst where absolutely horrendous.

Tanks
Andy