With wars in the late 20th and early 21st centuries becoming more asymmetrical against less technical enemies, the use of land mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) has become more common. To counter this threat, well-protected, robust vehicles were needed. These vehicles are known as MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected). The International MaxxPro MRAP vehicle is an armored fighting vehicle designed by Navistar Defense, a subsidiary of the American company Navistar International, along with the Israeli Plasan Sasa, who designed and manufactures the vehicle's armor.
MRAPs are desginated category 1 or category 2 depending on usage and passenger compartment space, and while Navistar produce the MaxxPro in both sizes, the vast majority of those sold have been category 1 MRAPs. The MaxxPro utilizes a crew capsule with a V-shaped hull mounted on an International WorkStar 7000 chassis. The V-hull deflects the blast of a land mine or IED away from the vehicle to protect its occupants. This design has survived a 7 kg (15 lb) land mine blast with no injuries. MaxxPro MRAPs have proven very effective in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and are in use by all branches of the US military as well as the forces of other nations.
Review
Legend Productions has released another great and inexpensive update for the Kinetic MaxxPro MRAP (kit # 61011). This is a very nice set of resin weighted wheels to replace the kit’s original rubber wheels. The two front and two back wheels are clearly labelled with an F for front and a B for back on the pour plug. They have been expertly molded with no flash or center line seam to file or sand off. The tread is crisply cast and very detailed. There is a subtle bulge to depict the bearing of the vehicle’s weight at the bottom of the tire where the casting block is located.
The wheel hubs are also crisply molded with individual bolt details and center caps both very finely rendered. Another very nice feature, something that was missing from the original kit tires completely, is the MICHELIN lettering and the tire size/weight rating cast onto both the front and back side walls of the tire. Additionally, the inner sides of the wheels have brake drum details and they are designed to fit as direct replacements, fitting right onto the existing kit axles.
Conclusion
Compared to the original kit wheels, these are a 100% improvement. I highly recommend them as they will greatly improve the look of your MaxxPro model. Legend Productions has another winner with these wheels.
SUMMARY
Highs: Perfect casting and excellent details. MICHELIN markings on the sidewalls looks great and really bring them to life.Lows: None noted.Verdict: Highly recommended. A great set. Another winner for Legend Productions.
Our Thanks to Legend Productions USA! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
About Gino P. Quintiliani (HeavyArty) FROM: FLORIDA, UNITED STATES
Retired US Army Artillery Officer, currently a contractor at MacDill AFB in the Tampa, FL area. I have been modelling for the past 40+ years, really seriously on armor and large scale helos (1/32, 1/35) for the last 35 or so.
I'm going to have to disagree here. I spoke to Lee a few months back about these tires. Most folks know my connection to Legend, and that I meet with Lee a few times per year.
These tires, while they have the Michelin lettering, DO NOT have the correct tread pattern, NOR are they the proper width. Which ones have the correct tread and width? The ones in the kit.
That said, these were not done up by Legend, but farmed out to another company I'll not name. Needless to say Legend will not be doing that again.
Am I saying don't buy them? Absolutely not. In fact, I'd kinda like it if you did. Just be aware that you get either the lettering, or the correct tire, but not both. It depends on which you want.
To me, the width difference is negligible. Using a digital caliper, the kit tires are 10.1mm. The resin ones are 9.7mm. That is only a difference of 0.4mm. Unless they are right next to each other and you are looking from the side at the height, you can't tell there is a width difference. Even then, you have to look at from the right angle.
The tread looks the same to me as well. The resin ones look more crisp and deeper than the rubber ones in the kit. I still think the Legend set is a big improvement. To each their own though.
Comments