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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Ford Tactical Vehicle
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 08, 2007 - 07:26 PM UTC
One of my captains sent me a photo of his new ride in Iraq. It is made by Ford and even though he's a Chevy man, he really likes it. I've asked him to send more photos of it.


markm
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California, United States
Joined: September 11, 2005
KitMaker: 1,757 posts
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Posted: Sunday, April 08, 2007 - 07:29 PM UTC
That is definitely cool, I could convert to Ford for one of those
keenan
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Indiana, United States
Joined: October 16, 2002
KitMaker: 5,272 posts
Armorama: 2,844 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 08, 2007 - 07:33 PM UTC
I wonder how much that rascal is stock? The side mirrors are. Ford should market it as their answer to the Chevy Hummer, H2 and H3.

Shaun
/Thinks the Ford is way better looking
//I drive a Chevy Colorado
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 08, 2007 - 07:36 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I wonder how much that rascal is stock? The side mirrors are. Ford should market it as their answer to the Chevy Hummer, H2 and H3.

Shaun
/Thinks the Ford is way better looking
//I drive a Chevy Colorado
Here is some information about the truck.

Quoted Text

the vehicle is built on a Ford 550 chassis and the dash and steering column looks just like any Ford full size truck. It has two layers of B7 armor with an air pocket in between the layers. Behind the front seats it has two bench seats back to back from front to back and a turret (the thing strapped to the top, uninstalled). It has a wicked powerful turbo diesel engine and I hit 80 in no time flat. Very comfortable ride and very roomy. I could get in it easily in full body armor with weapons.
Tankrider
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Oklahoma, United States
Joined: October 07, 2002
KitMaker: 1,280 posts
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Posted: Sunday, April 08, 2007 - 07:44 PM UTC
I, being a Ford guy, naturally, like it. Rob, any indication of what weapon systems can be mounted on the vehicle?? I would imagine that it could accomadate a M249 or M240B. I was over there in late 2005, the RL-31 was issued to Engineer units for route clearing. They were not well liked as the damaged suffered by the vehicle when hit by an IED tended to be more that what a M1114 would take. Hopefully this semi-COTS vehicle will do better.

John
trahe
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Virginia, United States
Joined: April 03, 2006
KitMaker: 1,158 posts
Armorama: 950 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 08, 2007 - 07:46 PM UTC
Very similar to the Japanese LAV.
matt
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
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New York, United States
Joined: February 28, 2002
KitMaker: 5,957 posts
Armorama: 2,956 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 08, 2007 - 08:19 PM UTC
It appears thet there's a few companies converting Heavy Duty trucks into Armord vehicles...... the Ford 550 chassis seems to be a Popular one. I See Oshkosh has a contract as well.
A-Train
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Scotland, United Kingdom
Joined: June 10, 2004
KitMaker: 715 posts
Armorama: 433 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 08, 2007 - 09:11 PM UTC
That is one awesome looking vehicle.
Anyone up for scratchbuilding it?
WarWheels
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Illinois, United States
Joined: March 24, 2006
KitMaker: 1,816 posts
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Posted: Sunday, April 08, 2007 - 09:14 PM UTC
Thanks much for sharing Robin! Awesome.

Grumpyoldman
Staff MemberConsigliere
KITMAKER NETWORK
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Florida, United States
Joined: October 17, 2003
KitMaker: 15,338 posts
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Posted: Monday, April 09, 2007 - 02:57 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Ford should market it as their answer to the Chevy Hummer, H2 and H3.

Good marketing, and you probably will see some on the roads here, but only for the rich and famous, then just the rich, as I'm slowly going to the poor house paying for fuel.

Robin, I like the color, must be something about Navy Gray tone to it.
Thanks for the photos.
NebLWeffah
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Alberta, Canada
Joined: October 13, 2004
KitMaker: 1,683 posts
Armorama: 1,248 posts
Posted: Monday, April 09, 2007 - 03:30 AM UTC
Very cool.... I need one to get to work. Forcasting 10-15cm of snow tomorrow...

Now who's going to be the first to kit it..? Dragon, AFV Club or AMT/Ertl...lol


Bob
GaryGore
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: November 05, 2006
KitMaker: 384 posts
Armorama: 338 posts
Posted: Monday, April 09, 2007 - 03:53 AM UTC
That is the GURKHA by Armet Armoured Vehicles.

http://www.aavi.com/

I have heard here in Canada we are looking at possibly purchasing it for Afghanistan as a replacement.
Trisaw
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California, United States
Joined: December 24, 2002
KitMaker: 4,105 posts
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Posted: Monday, April 09, 2007 - 04:23 AM UTC

Quoted Text

That is the GURKHA by Armet Armoured Vehicles.

http://www.aavi.com/

I have heard here in Canada we are looking at possibly purchasing it for Afghanistan as a replacement.


I kind of suspected it was a private venture made for private security firms or "police actions." There are some things about it that doesn't make it a 100% military vehicle such as rivets and tie-downs that seem too light for military standards. Nonetheless, it looks really cool and probably would be better than the Ranger Armored Car or M1114 in MP base situations.
mark197205
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England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: November 10, 2003
KitMaker: 1,593 posts
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Posted: Monday, April 09, 2007 - 04:32 AM UTC
I wonder how big a set of rims you can fit to that....
grandadjohn
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Arizona, United States
Joined: October 24, 2006
KitMaker: 33 posts
Armorama: 5 posts
Posted: Monday, April 09, 2007 - 05:36 AM UTC
Thanks , Rob, nice looking truck.
We had a M-151A1 made by Ford my unit in Korea in 68-69
sgtreef
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Oklahoma, United States
Joined: March 01, 2002
KitMaker: 6,043 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 06:03 AM UTC
Not a Ford Man myself,but don't look to bad.
AJLaFleche
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Massachusetts, United States
Joined: May 05, 2002
KitMaker: 8,074 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 07:21 PM UTC
And here's teh Uptown version:
keenan
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Indiana, United States
Joined: October 16, 2002
KitMaker: 5,272 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 07:29 PM UTC
Nice Al. Thanks for the chuckle on a really nasty, cold, rainy day...

Shaun
troubble27
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: October 10, 2003
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Posted: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 08:02 PM UTC
Al, that is one fine hooptie ya got there. Does it come with 12's in da trunk? Some tinted windows and a loweing job, and I think the Escalades sales are gonna suffer! LOL

I like this. It looks pretty cool, hopefully, it works as well as it looks. Being a transmission man on the GSA's vendor list, I like more that the military is using Fords! This smells like $$$ for me!

Gary
mikeo
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 12, 2006
KitMaker: 325 posts
Armorama: 323 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 03:26 AM UTC
Well I think we should see several manufacturers come out with kits fairly soon. After all, more that two of them have been made and there are actual photographs of the vehicle. So it should be a more important vehicle than the Dicker Max, right?
mikeo
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 12, 2006
KitMaker: 325 posts
Armorama: 323 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 03:28 AM UTC
Hey! I just noticed something in the photo. Isnt that an LED lightbar above the windshield? Paint ti white and stripe it and I could drive it at work!
Trisaw
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California, United States
Joined: December 24, 2002
KitMaker: 4,105 posts
Armorama: 2,492 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 04:54 AM UTC
Yes, that is an LED lightbar so I think Ford was marketing this more as a police/riot vehicle and not a military vehicle per se.
mikeo
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 12, 2006
KitMaker: 325 posts
Armorama: 323 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 10:01 AM UTC
With the care and dilligence that our boro council usually shows with regards to my dept's equipment I might be able to slide a photo of this puppy past them. We are looking for a new SUV anyway.
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