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FEATURE: Improving The Italeri HMMWVs
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Monday, March 03, 2003 - 01:41 PM UTC
I finally got around to uploading the follow on to last year's The Much Maligned Italeri HMMWVs. This article just showcases some of the aftermarket accessories available for the various Italeri-based HMMWVs. The article is entitled: Improving The Italeri HMMWVs. I hope you find it useful.
cdave
Joined: June 08, 2002
KitMaker: 545 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Monday, March 03, 2003 - 01:55 PM UTC
Cool Rob,
Just another excellent refernce form my library.
Dave
Just another excellent refernce form my library.
Dave
Grasshopp12
Joined: September 28, 2002
KitMaker: 757 posts
Armorama: 459 posts
Posted: Monday, March 03, 2003 - 02:28 PM UTC
Great article Rob!!!
Jaster
Joined: January 15, 2002
KitMaker: 579 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Monday, March 03, 2003 - 05:32 PM UTC
THANKS! My HMMWV project(s) has been delayed (life has this habit of intervening in the best laid plans) but once I get to it your info (as well as all the info on this site) will be invaluable!
sgtreef
Joined: March 01, 2002
KitMaker: 6,043 posts
Armorama: 4,347 posts
Posted: Monday, March 03, 2003 - 11:50 PM UTC
Sweet !!! Great article
Rob
Rob
PZKFWIII
Joined: January 30, 2003
KitMaker: 119 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 12:33 AM UTC
Very good article!
Right now, I am bouncing back and forth between several projects... one is an Academy M966 Hummey, and I got the Eduard PE set to go with it. This one is my first serious super detail project, and first PE nightmare. I know your article didn't cover the Academy kit, but I haven't seen the Testors/ Italeri Shellback in a long time.
Please don't feel that I am trodding on your TOWs (heh heh), but I want to add some observations on the kit that I have.
1. Brushguard. (or lack there of) WHAT THE? WHO THE? I have never seen a Hummey without one. A little birdie on armorama told me that the M998 kit has one, but I have no idea if it is decent or not. Angle styrene and strip stock scratchbuild. (pain)
2. Rearview mirrors. Both the kit and the PE mirrors are not the right kind for a M966. (they are both more or less horizontal with a single mount whereas the M966 has vertical mirrors with a "U" attatchment mount to mount the mirror in two places on the body)
3. Interior detail. The Academy kit seats are jacked up. The rear seats (on the real deal) are basically built on a box, where the bottom seat cushion is removable for extra storage, for slave cables (no not an S&M thing) and fire extinguisher. the front seat mounts are also wrong...I have to double check this weekend on just how. The doors are missing the recessed "X" detail that is plain as day on the real truck, as well as the horizontal brace directly under the windows. The radio mounts on the Academy kit are screwy too. Basically the kit has a big blob of molded plastic where the (whatever archaic radio the kit has) mounts to. Current hummers have a tray (imagine a drive up burger joint) that two SINCGARS radios mount to, with a sqwak box (speaker) mounts under, typically with the speaker facing up, however I have seen them many different ways. There is nothing for heater vent hoses for the driver or TC. (these look like black dryer vent hose) My unit also mounts 3/4 inch plywood on the center hump (the flat part where the MGS storage/ gunner's stand is) this basically covers most of the floor. That is an easy fix with sheet stock.
4. Tailgate. The Army NEVER advertises (except to get more tentpegs), so why do all these kits have AM General tattooed on the tailgate? Nuff' said
5. Hood vent. The kit one is bad, and the PE set one isn't much better. It could be correct for an up armored Hummey, but not for the 966. The vent slats are too far apart and far to few in number.
Off the soapbox.
I am not trying to discourage anyone from building one of these awesome trucks, but if it is to be done REALLY WELL, there are butt loads of things to consider. I will probably have 19 nervous breakdowns trying to get mine right.
Rob, in regards to the article, I thought it was well written, and quite informative, for those looking for detail sets for the M998 family. My only addition to the detail set list is the Aber PE set for TOW and Dragon missles. It is outstanding, and if you are going to do the TOW Hummey, That set is a MUST HAVE. Just have many beers (or a personal masseuse) ready for all the microscopic parts that need to be folded and glued...and picked up off the floor.
PHEW! ME FINGERS BE SORE!!
~~Rich Brungard....soapbox enthusiast.
Right now, I am bouncing back and forth between several projects... one is an Academy M966 Hummey, and I got the Eduard PE set to go with it. This one is my first serious super detail project, and first PE nightmare. I know your article didn't cover the Academy kit, but I haven't seen the Testors/ Italeri Shellback in a long time.
Please don't feel that I am trodding on your TOWs (heh heh), but I want to add some observations on the kit that I have.
1. Brushguard. (or lack there of) WHAT THE? WHO THE? I have never seen a Hummey without one. A little birdie on armorama told me that the M998 kit has one, but I have no idea if it is decent or not. Angle styrene and strip stock scratchbuild. (pain)
2. Rearview mirrors. Both the kit and the PE mirrors are not the right kind for a M966. (they are both more or less horizontal with a single mount whereas the M966 has vertical mirrors with a "U" attatchment mount to mount the mirror in two places on the body)
3. Interior detail. The Academy kit seats are jacked up. The rear seats (on the real deal) are basically built on a box, where the bottom seat cushion is removable for extra storage, for slave cables (no not an S&M thing) and fire extinguisher. the front seat mounts are also wrong...I have to double check this weekend on just how. The doors are missing the recessed "X" detail that is plain as day on the real truck, as well as the horizontal brace directly under the windows. The radio mounts on the Academy kit are screwy too. Basically the kit has a big blob of molded plastic where the (whatever archaic radio the kit has) mounts to. Current hummers have a tray (imagine a drive up burger joint) that two SINCGARS radios mount to, with a sqwak box (speaker) mounts under, typically with the speaker facing up, however I have seen them many different ways. There is nothing for heater vent hoses for the driver or TC. (these look like black dryer vent hose) My unit also mounts 3/4 inch plywood on the center hump (the flat part where the MGS storage/ gunner's stand is) this basically covers most of the floor. That is an easy fix with sheet stock.
4. Tailgate. The Army NEVER advertises (except to get more tentpegs), so why do all these kits have AM General tattooed on the tailgate? Nuff' said
5. Hood vent. The kit one is bad, and the PE set one isn't much better. It could be correct for an up armored Hummey, but not for the 966. The vent slats are too far apart and far to few in number.
Off the soapbox.
I am not trying to discourage anyone from building one of these awesome trucks, but if it is to be done REALLY WELL, there are butt loads of things to consider. I will probably have 19 nervous breakdowns trying to get mine right.
Rob, in regards to the article, I thought it was well written, and quite informative, for those looking for detail sets for the M998 family. My only addition to the detail set list is the Aber PE set for TOW and Dragon missles. It is outstanding, and if you are going to do the TOW Hummey, That set is a MUST HAVE. Just have many beers (or a personal masseuse) ready for all the microscopic parts that need to be folded and glued...and picked up off the floor.
PHEW! ME FINGERS BE SORE!!
~~Rich Brungard....soapbox enthusiast.
gunnerk19
Joined: December 25, 2002
KitMaker: 354 posts
Armorama: 217 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 03:36 AM UTC
Quoted Text
1. Brushguard. (or lack there of) WHAT THE? WHO THE? I have never seen a Hummey without one. A little birdie on armorama told me that the M998 kit has one, but I have no idea if it is decent or not. Angle styrene and strip stock scratchbuild. (pain)
2. Rearview mirrors. Both the kit and the PE mirrors are not the right kind for a M966. (they are both more or less horizontal with a single mount whereas the M966 has vertical mirrors with a "U" attatchment mount to mount the mirror in two places on the body)
~~Rich Brungard....soapbox enthusiast.
Here is a photo of a 1/35 Tamiya HMMWV I'm currently working on; I posted a while back about a hummer mounted Bushmaster and this is the one...
This is quoted from the instruction sheet "One variant being tested now is known as the 'RED-T' (Remote Electric Drive-Turret), but more commonly called the "Bushmaster carrier", because of the M242 25mm Chain Gun mounted on it."
This particular weapons platform vehicle also uses the single stalk mirror mounts and is lacking the fold down brush guard. It would be nice to see this in service as a happy medium between the .50 BMG ring mounted variant and the TOW carrier variant :-)
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 05:40 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Thank you, I put a lot of work into it (and money buying the sets to compare). I always enjoy getting corrective criticism on my writings. See The Much Maligned Italeri HMMWVs regarding the whereabouts of the old Testors/Italeri kit. That article was first uploaded during the summer of 2002.Very good article!
Right now, I am bouncing back and forth between several projects... one is an Academy M966 Hummey, and I got the Eduard PE set to go with it. This one is my first serious super detail project, and first PE nightmare. I know your article didn't cover the Academy kit, but I haven't seen the Testors/ Italeri Shellback in a long time.
Quoted Text
Then you have not been hanging around HMMWVs in the Army for very long. There are several kits that include them (Academy M998 for one, but it is not reviewed in this article) as does the Verlinden update set. There are different brush guards on the actual vehicles, so the type used really depends. To see which Italeri-based HMMWV kits contain brush guards, refer to The Much Maligned Italeri HMMWVs article.snip..1. Brushguard. (or lack there of) WHAT THE? WHO THE? I have never seen a Hummey without one. A little birdie on armorama told me that the M998 kit has one, but I have no idea if it is decent or not. Angle styrene and strip stock scratchbuild. (pain)
Quoted Text
Again, reference the first article, The Much Maligned Italeri HMMWVs, or re-read the last paragraph (conclusion to this article). The lack of updated review mirrors are addressed in both places. Again, haven't been around Army HMMWVs that long if you don't recall the older type.2. Rearview mirrors. Both the kit and the PE mirrors are not the right kind for a M966. (they are both more or less horizontal with a single mount whereas the M966 has vertical mirrors with a "U" attatchment mount to mount the mirror in two places on the body)
Quoted Text
Sorry, this review was not about the Academy HMMWV kits, so I made not mention of the Academy kit faults. Hopefully I'll get to them later this year.3. Interior detail. The Academy kit seats are jacked up. The rear seats (on the real deal) are basically built on a box, where the bottom seat cushion is removable for extra storage, for slave cables (no not an S&M thing) and fire extinguisher. the front seat mounts are also wrong...I have to double check this weekend on just how. The doors are missing the recessed "X" detail that is plain as day on the real truck, as well as the horizontal brace directly under the windows. The radio mounts on the Academy kit are screwy too. Basically the kit has a big blob of molded plastic where the (whatever archaic radio the kit has) mounts to. Current hummers have a tray (imagine a drive up burger joint) that two SINCGARS radios mount to, with a sqwak box (speaker) mounts under, typically with the speaker facing up, however I have seen them many different ways. There is nothing for heater vent hoses for the driver or TC. (these look like black dryer vent hose) My unit also mounts 3/4 inch plywood on the center hump (the flat part where the MGS storage/ gunner's stand is) this basically covers most of the floor. That is an easy fix with sheet stock.
Quoted Text
Again, haven't been around Army HMMWVs that long if you don't recall seeing the AM General logo. Initially they came with "AM GENERAL" stamped in the tailgate. None of the Italeri kits have AM GENERAL on the tailgate, see The Much Maligned Italeri HMMWVs article for more information on the tailgate issue. Academy kits were not reviewed in this article. Take a walk around the HEMTTs in the motor pool as well, you will see "OshKosh" logos on the front of the vehicle as well as on the mudflaps (if they are the original ones that came with the vehicle). Same deal with FMTVs and Stevens International. The logo is on the front of the cab as well.4. Tailgate. The Army NEVER advertises (except to get more tentpegs), so why do all these kits have AM General tattooed on the tailgate? Nuff' said
Quoted Text
Again, the problem with the hood vents is addressed in the first article. The second article does not apply to faults to the Academy kits.5. Hood vent. The kit one is bad, and the PE set one isn't much better. It could be correct for an up armored Hummey, but not for the 966. The vent slats are too far apart and far to few in number.
Quoted Text
Rob, in regards to the article, I thought it was well written, and quite informative, for those looking for detail sets for the M998 family. My only addition to the detail set list is the Aber PE set for TOW and Dragon missles. It is outstanding, and if you are going to do the TOW Hummey, That set is a MUST HAVE. Just have many beers (or a personal masseuse) ready for all the microscopic parts that need to be folded and glued...and picked up off the floor. (snip)~~Rich Brungard....(snip)
Since the Aber PE set is not specifically made for the Italeri HMMWVs, it was not included in the review. Again, thank you for your input. I believe I have thoroughly addressed your concerns. No offense should be taken at any clarification I made in response to your oberservations.
As far as the third part of this series (to be written) I have two of the three Esci/AMT/Ertl HMMWVs (Avenger and TOW, I need the soft top ambulance-M1035) as well as all four of the Academy kits (I do not have the AFV Club variant) unbuilt and available for review.
PZKFWIII
Joined: January 30, 2003
KitMaker: 119 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 06:40 AM UTC
Rob, no offense taken, and none was implied in my original reply. My experience with Army vehicles has been limited to the 6 years I have been in. from 97 to now. at Drum, as an 11B, the most experience I had with Hummeys was getting chow off the back of one, or riding in an FLA during many FTXs or GACing from the back of LMTVs. I never saw a 997,998, or a 966 without at brushguard, or with AM General on the tailgates. Now, as an 11BB8, My truck has all of the differences that I stated earlier. For the most part, I am venting frustration on 1. The poor quality of MY kit. 2. The fact that I need to spend so much time changing stuff on my model, when I should be chasing skirt. 
I hope I haven't stepped on anyones TOWs....I am soooo....funny.
I hope I haven't stepped on anyones TOWs....I am soooo....funny.
Epi
Joined: December 22, 2001
KitMaker: 3,586 posts
Armorama: 2,556 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 06:42 AM UTC
Rob,
When you are ready to review the Avenger kit, I have the MR Models Avenger detail set. If you like I can send what info I have on that. Its already put together, but I still have the instruction shet and what was included in the kit.
Sorry, but I havnt read the whole article, but what I did glance at, VERY GOOD. THE MOTOR POOL GOD AS STRUCK AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When you are ready to review the Avenger kit, I have the MR Models Avenger detail set. If you like I can send what info I have on that. Its already put together, but I still have the instruction shet and what was included in the kit.
Sorry, but I havnt read the whole article, but what I did glance at, VERY GOOD. THE MOTOR POOL GOD AS STRUCK AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 07:58 AM UTC
Thank you Pete, but you can do a thorough review of that kit seeing how you have built it and all. My time around Avengers is virtually nil. Besides, taking shots after all the work and effort is not a motivator. When I do part 3 on Academy and Esci kits, I'll probably be asked why I neglected to mention the Italeri HMMWVs in that article.
Marcel (GreyHunter) asked me to post a list of all the various HMMWV types. I did a copy/paste of the TM cover from the CD ROM. I removed the stock numbers and EIC codes to make the text more readable. If you do not have a copy of the HMMWV ETM, I highly recommend it as it does list all the various flavors they HMMWVs come in. Note this listing does not cover the Avenger weapons system modified HMMWVs.
ARMY TM 9-2320-280-10
AIR FORCE TO 36A12-1A-2091-1
MARINE CORPS TM 2320-10/6B
(SUPERSEDES TM 9-2320-280-10, 18 JUNE 1991)
OPERATOR’S MANUAL FOR
TRUCK, UTILITY: CARGO/TROOP CARRIER, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, M998; M998A1
TRUCK, UTILITY: CARGO/TROOP CARRIER, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, W/WINCH, M1038; M1038A1
TRUCK, UTILITY: HEAVY VARIANT, 4X4, M1097; M1097A1; M1097A2; M1123
TRUCK, UTILITY: TOW CARRIER, ARMORED, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, M966; M966A1; M1121
TRUCK, UTILITY: TOW CARRIER, ARMORED, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, W/WINCH, M1036
TRUCK, UTILITY: TOW CARRIER, W/SUPPLEMENTAL ARMOR, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, M1045; M1045A1; M1045A2
TRUCK, UTILITY: TOW CARRIER, W/SUPPLEMENTAL ARMOR, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, W/WINCH, M1046; M1046A1
TRUCK, UTILITY: ARMAMENT CARRIER, ARMORED, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, M1025; M1025A1; M1025A2
TRUCK, UTILITY: ARMAMENT CARRIER, ARMORED, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, W/WINCH, M1026; M1026A1
TRUCK, UTILITY: ARMAMENT CARRIER, W/SUPPLEMENTAL ARMOR, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, M1043; M1043A1; M1043A2
TRUCK, UTILITY: ARMAMENT CARRIER, W/SUPPLEMENTAL ARMOR, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, W/WINCH, M1044; M1044A1
TRUCK, UTILITY: S250 SHELTER CARRIER, 4X4, M1037
TRUCK, UTILITY: S250 SHELTER CARRIER, 4X4, W/WINCH, M1042
TRUCK, AMBULANCE, 2-LITTER, ARMORED, 4X4, M996; M996A1
TRUCK, AMBULANCE, 4-LITTER, ARMORED, 4X4, M997; M997A1; M997A2
TRUCK, AMBULANCE, 2-LITTER, SOFT TOP, 4X4, M1035; M1035A1; M1035A2
Marcel (GreyHunter) asked me to post a list of all the various HMMWV types. I did a copy/paste of the TM cover from the CD ROM. I removed the stock numbers and EIC codes to make the text more readable. If you do not have a copy of the HMMWV ETM, I highly recommend it as it does list all the various flavors they HMMWVs come in. Note this listing does not cover the Avenger weapons system modified HMMWVs.
ARMY TM 9-2320-280-10
AIR FORCE TO 36A12-1A-2091-1
MARINE CORPS TM 2320-10/6B
(SUPERSEDES TM 9-2320-280-10, 18 JUNE 1991)
OPERATOR’S MANUAL FOR
TRUCK, UTILITY: CARGO/TROOP CARRIER, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, M998; M998A1
TRUCK, UTILITY: CARGO/TROOP CARRIER, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, W/WINCH, M1038; M1038A1
TRUCK, UTILITY: HEAVY VARIANT, 4X4, M1097; M1097A1; M1097A2; M1123
TRUCK, UTILITY: TOW CARRIER, ARMORED, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, M966; M966A1; M1121
TRUCK, UTILITY: TOW CARRIER, ARMORED, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, W/WINCH, M1036
TRUCK, UTILITY: TOW CARRIER, W/SUPPLEMENTAL ARMOR, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, M1045; M1045A1; M1045A2
TRUCK, UTILITY: TOW CARRIER, W/SUPPLEMENTAL ARMOR, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, W/WINCH, M1046; M1046A1
TRUCK, UTILITY: ARMAMENT CARRIER, ARMORED, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, M1025; M1025A1; M1025A2
TRUCK, UTILITY: ARMAMENT CARRIER, ARMORED, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, W/WINCH, M1026; M1026A1
TRUCK, UTILITY: ARMAMENT CARRIER, W/SUPPLEMENTAL ARMOR, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, M1043; M1043A1; M1043A2
TRUCK, UTILITY: ARMAMENT CARRIER, W/SUPPLEMENTAL ARMOR, 1-1/4 TON, 4X4, W/WINCH, M1044; M1044A1
TRUCK, UTILITY: S250 SHELTER CARRIER, 4X4, M1037
TRUCK, UTILITY: S250 SHELTER CARRIER, 4X4, W/WINCH, M1042
TRUCK, AMBULANCE, 2-LITTER, ARMORED, 4X4, M996; M996A1
TRUCK, AMBULANCE, 4-LITTER, ARMORED, 4X4, M997; M997A1; M997A2
TRUCK, AMBULANCE, 2-LITTER, SOFT TOP, 4X4, M1035; M1035A1; M1035A2
Manchu34
Joined: March 08, 2002
KitMaker: 493 posts
Armorama: 361 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 06:02 PM UTC
Like the article. Wish you had posted it before I finished my academy M966 HMMWV TOW 2 Weapon Carrier. After reading about the Avenger PE set from Eduard, I went to their website and the HMMWV Avenger PE detail set is great. IT contains 4 seperate PE sheets. It is far more updated then their PE sets for the other hardtop Hummers such as the M966, M0125, etc. It has more detail for the crew area and includes a complete PE for the armored doors (exterior & interior).
Now to comment on a few things PRIVATE 1st Class PZKFWIII wrote:
Mirrors:
When the hummers were first issued back in the mid 80s, they were equiped with a single arm handle for the mirrors. Just like in the PE Sets. In my M966 I used the metal strips found in the anti-theft (shoplifting) tags on some items bought. Worked great since one side of the strip is highly polished.
Radio mounts and radios:
Yes, the kits radio mounts (Italeri and Academy) are not the best. However, Eduard's PE for the Tow carrier, contains the best I've seen yet. It is very close to the the actual mount (shelve). Also not all Hummers will have 2 singars installed, since most vehciles Do Not require to operate on more than 1 freguency. The only ones that would need it would be a command vehicle.
Tail gate:
While I served with the AT Plt. 3 Bn 17 Infantry, 7 Infantry Division (Light), I had 4 M966s under my command. All 4 of them ahd the GM General on their tailgates. Also it was on all the other M966s in the other Infantry Bn, MPs, ,etc.
Enough said.
If you are planning on doing more reviews/ articles on other Hummer models. I just completed my M966 and would be glad to share photos and comments on the Academy kit, the DML Marine Anti-Tank Killer set (used for the TOW 2), Eduard PE set for the TOW and Dragon, and the Eduard PE set for the Italeri TOW carrier. that I used.
Now to comment on a few things PRIVATE 1st Class PZKFWIII wrote:
Mirrors:
When the hummers were first issued back in the mid 80s, they were equiped with a single arm handle for the mirrors. Just like in the PE Sets. In my M966 I used the metal strips found in the anti-theft (shoplifting) tags on some items bought. Worked great since one side of the strip is highly polished.
Radio mounts and radios:
Yes, the kits radio mounts (Italeri and Academy) are not the best. However, Eduard's PE for the Tow carrier, contains the best I've seen yet. It is very close to the the actual mount (shelve). Also not all Hummers will have 2 singars installed, since most vehciles Do Not require to operate on more than 1 freguency. The only ones that would need it would be a command vehicle.
Tail gate:
While I served with the AT Plt. 3 Bn 17 Infantry, 7 Infantry Division (Light), I had 4 M966s under my command. All 4 of them ahd the GM General on their tailgates. Also it was on all the other M966s in the other Infantry Bn, MPs, ,etc.
Enough said.
If you are planning on doing more reviews/ articles on other Hummer models. I just completed my M966 and would be glad to share photos and comments on the Academy kit, the DML Marine Anti-Tank Killer set (used for the TOW 2), Eduard PE set for the TOW and Dragon, and the Eduard PE set for the Italeri TOW carrier. that I used.
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 01:57 AM UTC
Edward, I'll take any assistance from you on the Academy review. It's a shame the Academy kits are getting harder to find, the Academy M966 is probably the best kit of the whole bunch (only kit to include driver, TC, gunner).
I've inspected the Academy HMMWV kits. They share a lot in common with the Italeri kits, so much in fact that some parts could be swapped out right. At least with Academy HMMWVs, you have the option to build USMC vehicles, but why would anyone want to do that?
I've inspected the Academy HMMWV kits. They share a lot in common with the Italeri kits, so much in fact that some parts could be swapped out right. At least with Academy HMMWVs, you have the option to build USMC vehicles, but why would anyone want to do that?
Manchu34
Joined: March 08, 2002
KitMaker: 493 posts
Armorama: 361 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 08:29 AM UTC
Quoted Text
the Academy M966 is probably the best kit of the whole bunch (only kit to include driver, TC, gunner).
I would agree. Not only that, but it had a better TOW weapon system and provided much of the interior details such as the missile rack, etc.
Quoted Text
They share a lot in common with the Italeri kits, so much in fact that some parts could be swapped out right.
Agree here too! In fact the M966 I just got done with I used some of the Italeri parts and the Eduard PE set for the Italeri Model. The only problem I had was if you used the PE for the missile rack and mount the kits TOW missiles, the hatch can not be closed.
Quoted Text
option to build USMC vehicles, but why would anyone want to do that?
Neither do I know. But, what do you expect, the USMC needs to feel important somehow
mp_guy
Joined: March 22, 2003
KitMaker: 13 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 11:46 PM UTC
My MP unit currently uses a mix of M1025/1026's and the newer M1114 Uparmored Hummers... The 1114's are nothing short of AWESOME!!! Therein lies the problem... The conversion of the available 1025/1026 series would be nothing short of a MAJOR conversion, as the vehicle is lightyears different than the original models. The doors weigh 400 pounds apiece, and are slab mounted with piano type hinges instead of the original two point mounting of the originals. Also, there is the Airconditioner vents on the left rear to consider as well... YES Virginia, an Air Conditioner on a combat vehicle!!! The cupola on top of the vehicle, and just about everything else is different than the original version. Heavier suspension and all.
mp_guy
Joined: March 22, 2003
KitMaker: 13 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 11:55 PM UTC
While on the subject of radios, the Army has gone away from the older GRC-160 or VRC-46/47 series radios... Now, we use the SINCGARS radios... the ones we use are half the size of the original VRC-91's... All of our vehicles have two radios... and our command vehicles used by the platoon leader actually have three... the third being an AM radio set mounted on the right rear wheel well... This system is the one that uses the extra long whip antenna that you see bent into a curve. The normal antennas are a lot stiffer, and dont flex as much when tied down.
Hope that this helps...
Hope that this helps...
bergstiger
Joined: April 24, 2003
KitMaker: 68 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 11:15 AM UTC
"Yes Sir! Three bags full sir."
I wish to extend my thanks for a well done review.This is just the kind if thing that I have been looking for. Again thank you.
A question were did you see or place this neat little gem?
I wish to extend my thanks for a well done review.This is just the kind if thing that I have been looking for. Again thank you.
A question were did you see or place this neat little gem?
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 12:04 PM UTC
Quoted Text
"Yes Sir! Three bags full sir."
I wish to extend my thanks for a well done review.This is just the kind if thing that I have been looking for. Again thank you.
A question were did you see or place this neat little gem?
In my initial post the title of the review is underlined. Click on it and it will take you to the article. I wrote both articles so I guess I saw them in my head.
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