| Date of Review |
November 2006 |
| Manufacturer |
DML |
| Subject |
AAVP7A1 RAM/RS with EAAK |
| Scale |
1/72 |
| Kit Number |
7233 |
| Primary Media |
161 parts (100 in grey styrene, 29 etched
brass, 22 in DS plastic) |
| Pros |
Finally adds the up-armored kit to the
AAV7A1 kit; etched brass and optional parts a plus |
| Cons |
DS styrene wheel bushings will make assembly
require extra care; nice, big hatches open up on...nothing! |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate |
| MSRP (USD) |
$13.95 |
DML has now finally answered requests from small-scalers for the
most current version of the big USMC AAVP7A1 and provided the applique
armor fit for it. This Israeli-designed applique armor first appeared
on these beasts back during Operation Desert Storm but really were
most common during and after Operation Iraqi Freedom.
DML has now taken their AAVP7A1 RAM/RS kit (No. 7237) added one
new sprue with the new parts. The applique basically comes in two
sections, one for each side of the hull, but they are relatively
thin and look to be in scale once installed. All of the external
fittings such as antenna base units (matching units) and guards
are provided as well.
The DS styrene tracks are a plus as they can now be cemented down
to "sag" correctly, but since the wheels all use a bushing
between two halves for assembly it will require care to avoid getting
cement on them and getting them out of plumb or having wheels failing
to roll (a great advantage in painting the tires!) Note that both
the wheels and the tracks are shared with the M2/M3 Bradley kits,
which is correct.
This variant again provides for the post- 1990 upgrades when the
vehicles received the ability to mount supplemental armor protection
and also an upgraded firepower suite via the "UWS" or
upgraded weapons station. This combined a 40mm grenade launcher
and a .50 caliber machine gun in one turret. However, the original
smaller cupola with .50 caliber only is also provided on the sprues,
so the model could be "backdated" much more easily than
the diecast one.
The wave-breaker can be installed either closed (part A3) or deployed
(A4), as can the water jet drives (A21/22 open, A23/24 closed).
Thanks to "Slide Molding" the headlights are integral
with the upper hull; this gives this kit the same technical capabilities
as the diecast predecessor.
An etched brass fret is included with bits for the engine gratings as well
as the muffler guard and handholds. The RP (right puny) parts include handles and
brackets.
Markings are provided for four vehicles: 2nd Assault Amphibian
Battalion, USMC, Iraq 2005; ROC (Taiwan) Marines, 2005; 26th MEU,
USMC, Iraq 2005; and Italian Marines, 2004. The first three are
in the NATO tricolor scheme – the 26th MEU one with its
applique armor in sand – but the Italian one is in what appears
to be FS34102 Forest Green, the as delivered finish for many modern
US armored vehicles.
Overall this vehicle finally permits building the "combat" version
of this vehicle.
Thanks to Freddie Leung of DML for the review sample.
Sprue breakdown:
29 A turrets and details
40 B M2/M3 wheels and drivers
2 AAVP7A1 hull
29 D AAVP7A1 applique armor and details
22 DS plastic (M2/M3)
39 Etched nickel
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