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Built Review
135
Stryker ATGM
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by: Ted Hayward [ TED_HAYWARD ]

Contents

The box contains a total of 599 parts in AFV Club's signature green, clear plastic, vinyl, and Photo-etched brass.

This kit obviously builds on the previous Stryker kits, adding an additional sprue of PE parts for the engine deck exhaust and a vinyl shroud for the launcher tower (installation of which will prevent the TOW launcher tower from retracting, however), as well as separate TOW missiles.

Other additional goodies added to this release include spare wheels, 7.62mm machine guns, and towing bars, to name a few. Additions to the first Stryker kit include a full sprue devoted to the TOW missles and launcher parts, as well as a new rear plate and different side bustle racks. Other subtle improvements such as the optional lowered wire-cutters, have been added since the earlier releases.

construction

The Stryker has very few weld beads showing, the separate Mexas armor plates are instead fastened to the exterior surfaces with an abundance of well-defined bolts. I must say that the fastener detail is one of the most impressive aspects of this kit. The many tie-down loops that festoon the vehicle are also particularly well-done. The hatches can be positioned opened -they're not meant to be movable. You will find a few small ejector marks on the inside of the driver's hatch, which is otherwise well-detailed with grab handles and locking mechanisms.

I liked the many periscopes of this kit being moulded in clear. When painted with clear purple or magenta, they do look very convincing. Just remember to install the commander's periscopes BEFORE joining the hull halves together -sounds obvious, but one must really pay attention when building a kit of this magnitude! The winch is built to rotate, just remember to wind-on the nylon cable before assembly.

The standout features of this kit are definitely the well-defined details of the vinyl tires with their peculiar bulged sidewalls and the amazing detail of the fully-articulating missile launcher -a small kit in itself. As we've now come to expect, PE brass parts are provided for the engine deck. Not included in the first Stryker release, a nice assortment of securing-straps are also included in PE.

Parting shots

Not one who normally follows directions well, I actually found these instructions straight-forward and easy to follow, especially after consulting Ralph Zwilling's excellent book: "Wings and Wheels Publications: Volume 19, Stryker in Detail Part 2."

I spent a total of about 30 hours building my Stryker kit. The absence of flash, and minimal moulding seams, made those enjoyable hours. The bulk of the work comes during the final 20 percent of the build, when about 80 percent of the detail: winch, seeker/TOW launcher, grenade-launchers, wire-cutters, and other onboard equipment, is added. Anyone who has built a previous Strkyer variant from AFV Club will have no issues. The many intricate parts will make careful study of the included B&W photos of a real Stryker a necessity. The only thing lacking is an interior -we can dream of a future release of such from Hobby Fan, perhaps?

As a currently deployed vehicle, the Stryker is constantly evolving as it's tested in combat. Consequently, one has to carefully research references if wishing to depict a specific vehicle. Accurately portraying a combat Stryker would include simulating the non-slip texture that covers the upper horizontal surfaces of the real vehicle. Details that were missed by AFV Club in its first Stryker release, the M1126 ICV (Item AF35126), have now been addressed in the most recent Stryker variants: the M1130 CV/TACP and M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System kits.

Though not aimed at the beginner, with a little care and experience, these kits are easily the most detailed and accurate models of a very popular, and current, subject. I cannot wait to soon build all of the Stryker variants now available from AFV Club.

Decals:

Decals for four vehicles are provided: AT-21, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment; D-17 and D-27, D Company, 112th Infantry, 56th Brigade, 28th Infantry Division; AT-22, 52nd Infantry Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.

References:


Review by Robert Burik: M1130 Stryker Command Vehicle/CV TACP LINK

Wings and Wheels Publications: Volume 19, “Stryker in Detail Part 2,” by R. Zwilling.





SUMMARY
Highs: This kit is easily the most detailed and accurate model of a very popular, and current, subject: the Stryker. Includes 2 TOW missiles.
Lows: The kit is missing the Stryker’s non-slip surface.
Verdict: Superb detail! A must-have for fans of modern armor.
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: AF35134
  Suggested Retail: tba
  PUBLISHED: Aug 30, 2009
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 92.73%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 89.68%

Our Thanks to AFV Club!
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.

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About Ted Hayward (ted_hayward)
FROM: TAIPEI, TAIWAN / 台灣

From B.C., Canada. Living in Taiwan for past several years. I've been building kits for as long as memory serves -armor, aircraft, cars. Big fan of 1/16th scale armor kits. Currently serving as poster boy for working with CA adhesives in a well-ventilated area. My first kit was the positively awful ...

Copyright ©2021 text by Ted Hayward [ TED_HAYWARD ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

From reading the review, it sounds like a really nice kit. Something a relative newbie (me) could build and get good results.
AUG 30, 2009 - 02:37 AM
Sweet Kit. Nice review to boot. Now if only I would build the MGS one. How many different versions are there out on the Market? AFV Club Better then the Trumpeter one? Cheers
AUG 30, 2009 - 02:47 AM
SgtReef, I built a Trumpeter kit for a figure manufacturer who wanted it to make some Stryker crew figures. I thought the Trumpeter kit was decent. Then, I built an AFV Club Stryker.....There is no comparing the two. I think the AFV Club kits blow away Trumpeter. I've been buying every version of the Stryker that AFV Club has put out. They are absolutely beautiful kits.
AUG 30, 2009 - 05:56 AM
M1126 Infantry Carrier - Trump & AFV M1127 Recon version - Trump & AFV M1128 MGS - AFV M1130 CP or TACP - AFV M1134 Anti-tank - Trump & AFV Which is better? That's hard to say. The initial Trump 1126 had a lot wrong with it, but most deficiencies seem to have been fixed. Placing a Trump & AFV side-by-side there are obvious differences in size, but I don't know which is right. Personally I think the Trump versions are better value with plenty of extras (ration boxes, figures etc) but the AFV are slightly better builds. I'm just happy to be getting these modern vehicles so generally use Trump for LAVs and AFV for Strykers to support both.... Only 5 more Stryker versions to go.... Why is there no AA version? Cheers, Sean
AUG 30, 2009 - 08:37 PM
I think this is an accurate version of the Stryker ATGM variant . The one thing that I like about this particular kit is that they finally included the air horn which I think is a standard equipment on all Stryker variants.
SEP 05, 2009 - 08:09 AM
I am currently working on an in box review of the kit.....lots of good stuff to to spoken about.
SEP 05, 2009 - 08:52 AM
I can see my next undertaking from here. Feel like a kid waiting on Christmas Day to come. Can't wait to get my grubby hands on this one.
SEP 23, 2009 - 07:10 AM
I don't think AFV Club make the RV version, you need the Real Model conversion for it. Brent's right, spend a little more $$ for the AFV Club kits. Jim
SEP 23, 2009 - 02:34 PM
   
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