The Item

If you want to bring your Amphibious Assault Vehicle-7A1model kit to the next level, this excellent photo etch detail set is just the thing for you. This extensive PE sheet has most of the appliqués that can be added to the kit to provide a fully detailed rendering of the AAV-7A1 vehicle.

PE parts generally require certain tools to bend/and manipulate the parts for a good fit. You’ll find those at online and local hobby shops. Adhesion can be done in a variety of ways including thin cements, paint, or even floor polish, depending on the part’s requirements. This set comes with instructions and the parts are correspondingly numbered on the fret tree.

All-in-all this set will definitely enhance the appearance of your AAV-7A1 truck.

The Subject

The AAV-7A1 (Amphibious Assault Vehicle-7A1) is an armored amphibious vehicle that is used by the United States Marine Corps for amphibious assaults and transportation of troops and equipment from ship to shore. It was designed by the FMC Corporation (now part of BAE Systems) and first introduced in 1972.

The AAV-7A1 is capable of traveling on land and in water, and can carry up to 25 fully equipped troops or a variety of equipment and supplies. It is powered by a Detroit Diesel 8V-53T engine, which gives it a maximum speed of around 72 km/h (45 mph) on land and 13 km/h (8 mph) in water. The vehicle is also equipped with armor plating and a variety of weapons systems, including a .50 caliber M2 machine gun and a 40 mm MK19 grenade launcher.

Over the years, the AAV-7A1 has undergone a number of upgrades and modernizations, including the addition of better armor and the replacement of the original engine with a more powerful Caterpillar 3126B engine. The vehicle is expected to remain in service with the Marine Corps until at least 2035, although there have been plans to replace it with a newer amphibious vehicle, such as the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV).

The Supplier

(From the Hauler website)

“Hauler produces high quality photo-etched sets for AFVs, airplanes, cars, railway vehicles, resin accessories for dioramas and resin kits.”

Thanks go to Hauler for providing this kit to review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it for them.