HobbyBoss AAVP7-A1 RAM/RS with EAAK

Post by **NovYank** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 1:05 am

I've always been fascinated by the AAV-7's. Mainly due to all the footage of the Marine advance into Baghdad and all the stowage draped over them. Photos of this build will be up as soon as I can figure out a way to upload them (my camera takes pictures that are to big for the site, in terms of file size).

Any reference material or personal thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Post by **DC87** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 1:24 am

I shall look forward to this build, you will have to explain all those acronyms in the title!

Post by **NovYank** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 2:07 am

DC87 wrote:I shall look forward to this build, you will have to explain all those acronyms in the title!

The AAV-7 stands for Amphibious Assault Vehicle, which is different from its original designation as a LVT (Landing Vehicle Tracked). I'm not quite sure what the RAM/RS/ stands for, but I do know that it refers to the new suspension system which is borrowed from the M2 Bradley (the older variants used the suspension from the M113). The EAAK refers to the side armor; it stands for Enhanced Applique Armor Kit (which is used to stop additional threats).

Post by **schweinhund227** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:57 am

NovYank wrote:I've always been fascinated by the AAV-7's. Mainly due to all the footage of the Marine advance into Baghdad and all the stowage draped over them. Photos of this build will be up as soon as I can figure out a way to upload them (my camera takes pictures that are to big for the site, in terms of file size).

Any reference material or personal thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

I upload my large files from my T4i to photobucket and the show up OK over here! Once linked
No problem!

Did you buy the Full interior one from Hobby Boss? Loads of parts but "so" worth it!
Pretty wicked hey !

Mine has been built for years and still isn't painted

Post by **NovYank** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 5:15 am

schweinhund227 wrote:
NovYank wrote:I've always been fascinated by the AAV-7's. Mainly due to all the footage of the Marine advance into Baghdad and all the stowage draped over them. Photos of this build will be up as soon as I can figure out a way to upload them (my camera takes pictures that are to big for the site, in terms of file size).

Any reference material or personal thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

I upload my large files from my T4i to photobucket and the show up OK over here! Once linked
No problem!

Did you buy the Full interior one from Hobby Boss? Loads of parts but "so" worth it!
Pretty wicked hey !

Mine has been built for years and still isn't painted

Thanks for the uploading suggestion! I will definitely try it out!!

As for the model, yes this kit did include a full interior. Your right that it can be a bit of a pain, but all that is worth it in the end my friend. A good part of the AAV-7 is that the hatches can be opened and allow you to expose the entire interior (apart from the driver and crewman section).

I'm curious what variation do you have? Because painting options are so numerous!

Post by **DC87** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 9:59 am

NovYank wrote:The AAV-7 stands for Amphibious Assault Vehicle, which is different from its original designation as a LVT (Landing Vehicle Tracked). I'm not quite sure what the RAM/RS/ stands for, but I do know that it refers to the new suspension system which is borrowed from the M2 Bradley (the older variants used the suspension from the M113). The EAAK refers to the side armor; it stands for Enhanced Applique Armor Kit (which is used to stop additional threats).

Thanks for that, really interesting

. You can change the size of photos on Photobucket by using the edit feature if you are still having issues.

Post by **schweinhund227** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 3:32 am

NovYank wrote:
schweinhund227 wrote:
NovYank wrote:I've always been fascinated by the AAV-7's. Mainly due to all the footage of the Marine advance into Baghdad and all the stowage draped over them. Photos of this build will be up as soon as I can figure out a way to upload them (my camera takes pictures that are to big for the site, in terms of file size).

Any reference material or personal thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

I upload my large files from my T4i to photobucket and the show up OK over here! Once linked
No problem!

Did you buy the Full interior one from Hobby Boss? Loads of parts but "so" worth it!
Pretty wicked hey !

Mine has been built for years and still isn't painted

Thanks for the uploading suggestion! I will definitely try it out!!

As for the model, yes this kit did include a full interior. Your right that it can be a bit of a pain, but all that is worth it in the end my friend. A good part of the AAV-7 is that the hatches can be opened and allow you to expose the entire interior (apart from the driver and crewman section).

I'm curious what variation do you have? Because painting options are so numerous!

Would have to check! Hobby Boss released so many! Must be the first one? With ERRA plating

I bought some Big Foot Tracks from AFV Club. To replace the kit ones! Too stiff!

Now that my M1129 is built! Maybe I can Tackle this interior?

Good luck

Post by **NovYank** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 7:31 pm

(Let's see if this attempt works)
This is the entire purchase for this kit.
The AAV-7 is of the newer generation, with the upgraded suspension and the applique armor. This kit has a full interior and plenty of ways of showing it off!!!

The Bigfoot Tracks are unnecessary because the kit includes a set of independent links.

The Legend Production's Stowage set is a modern set allocating this kit out of most recent combat zones, no streets of Baghdad for me, (that is unless anybody else can find some evidence of this type of stowage on an AAV-7 in combat). Nonetheless, this is still a great stowage set, lots of parts and lots of sawing the resin plugs.

These two photos are of the completed build part (minus the EAAK which will be in place after the kit is painted).

The driver's compartment"

A photo of the troop compartment from the egress hatch.

Thanks to Schweinhund227 for suggesting an upload method!!!

This is the majority of the Legend Stowage Set (only things missing are the helmets, spare MRE's, rope, barbed wire, water bottles, and all the cut-out MRE and water containers that were provided). All the pieces were easy to clean and had almost no bubbles or flash. As much as I want to paint all the rucks the woodland MARPAT, I don't want to dedicate all that time to either paint or use the MARPAT decal sheets

. So they will be painted the standard Coyote Tan color (If anyone knows a good color to use PLEASE SHARE!!!). The hardest component was the oil barrel on the pallet just because of the HUGE plug. Speaking of plugs, my major gripe with this kit is the placement of the plugs. For example, all the rucksacks had the plug on the bottom of the ruck, a major problem when the ruck had the sleeping mat on the bottom.

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 7:38 pm

Very cool stuff dude I've always had a hankering for amphibious vehicles

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 11:02 am

Never seen one of these built up, so keen to see how you get on with it. That stowage set looks great, are you planning on using all of those parts?

Post by **Paul** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 11:37 am

Nice, that stowage is going to look awesome

Post by **Coen** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 11:57 am

Whoa... That's one hell of a build if you put that stowage on her. Painting all that plus the interior is gong to be interesting for sure.

Post by **schweinhund227** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 1:51 pm

I guaranty you will change your mind about the tracks once you start gluing them....

LOL

Good work though ! that's exacly the same kit and same A.M. stuff I bought for mine...

Lots of work but its sure a nice model...

I am sure you will swap the tracks !!!

Post by **NovYank** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 2:35 pm

Gav0909 wrote:Never seen one of these built up, so keen to see how you get on with it. That stowage set looks great, are you planning on using all of those parts?

Thanks for the encouragement!

I do indeed plan to use every last bit of this stowage set! Many reference pictures that I have seen shows these vehicles to be completely covered with rucks, MRE's, water and personal effects. That picture does not do justice to this kit, all the rucks have detailed MOLLE webbing (a little exaggerated but that is necessary for them to be shown properly), attached packs, and many variations of the same ruck.

Post by **NovYank** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 2:39 pm

schweinhund227 wrote:I guaranty you will change your mind about the tracks once you start gluing them....

LOL

Good work though ! that's exacly the same kit and same A.M. stuff I bought for mine...

Lots of work but its sure a nice model...

I am sure you will swap the tracks !!!

Challenge accepted

Post by **schweinhund227** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 2:42 pm

NovYank wrote:
schweinhund227 wrote:I guaranty you will change your mind about the tracks once you start gluing them....

LOL

Good work though ! that's exacly the same kit and same A.M. stuff I bought for mine...

Lots of work but its sure a nice model...

I am sure you will swap the tracks !!!
Challenge accepted

pfff !

I gave up on Hobby Boss ! Those tracks drove me NUTS !
and they were Tight !

but I can't wait to see your model... either way !

Good luck dude !

Post by **NovYank** » Sat Jul 13, 2013 1:26 am

These are some pictures of the AFV Club's Bigfoot tracks. As much as I wanted to do the ones that came with the kit, AFV Club's links seemed easier to deal with. This is due to the fact that the HobbyBoss links are in their own sprues which meant additional cutting and sanding.

A little birdy told me that the AFV Club tracks were easier

...and boy was he right The only labor involved was to put each link together. Even though the links were strong enough to hold together by themselves, I decided to glue the links just to make sure.

Since I'm taking pictures, this is one of the EAAK on the port side of the AAV-7. I have to say that I thought these would be easier to put on; just match the anchor points with the points on the EAAK right? Wrong, the EAAK have almost nothing to tell you where to meet it to the vehicle; all the instructions have is an arrow from the EAAK to the AAV-7

. Good thing I'm going to drape the entire body in stowage...

An image of the side of the EAAK that meets the body. THERE'S NOTHING THERE!!!

Something that I never shown before was the turret on the starboard side of the AAV-7. It isn't really impressive, simple to build, and not really visually appealing. My plan is to put some kind of foil around the belt for the MK19.

Turret Front:

Turret Rear:

Post by **schweinhund227** » Sat Jul 13, 2013 5:00 am

Nice to see your progress so far! And I am glad you used the AFV big foot traks! To bad you had to glue some together but! It's understandable !

Sad about the Armour sides! I haven't glue mine on yet! Good to know about the lack of Locator pins! Note to self on that one!

Keep up the good work!

Post by **chief5437** » Sat Jul 13, 2013 8:27 am

I love this vehicle! Saw a few in Iraq and they looked awesome. I can't speak about what particular kit they had on them, but they were covered in the stuff!
I've always wanted one of these kits so I'll look forward to seeing it finished.
Thanks for posting.

Post by **HWGuderian23** » Sun Jul 14, 2013 12:17 am

The interior looks pretty nice detailed! Can't wait to see some paint on it.
Thanks a lot for sharing ...

Markus

Post by **NovYank** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 4:33 pm

I spent today trying to paint the base-color of the AAV-7...I say try because my TAMIYA spray can ran out when I was about 60% through with the base green color. Good news is that the majority of the upper hull is complete, just a small go over with a new can will do the trick.

I need to say that only the outside of the vehicle is almost painted. I still need to find a color for the interior ***SUGGESTIONS WELCOMED***.

Here are some pics before I painted. The light green shiny stuff is just Silly-Putty; which was put there to protect from the spray getting into the interior

Now here are some pics of after the spray can decided it wasn't committed to this build.

A new can will be obtained within the week, but until then this build is officially dead in the water

Post by **Coen** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 5:03 pm

I feel your pain dude. I'm all out of flat black and it's my premier base/shadow coat paint.
I can't paint squat until more arrives next week or so.

Post by **Tiger131** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 6:41 pm

ive always wanted to build one of these and love what you've done so far bud so will be watching with joy..and the legend stowage is real nice but it kit price in itd own right

Post by **Lee** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:05 pm

Awesome looking vehicle and great build so far, the interior looks very well detailed

Post by **RED** » Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:03 am

great looking build so far mate

Post by **NovYank** » Thu Jul 18, 2013 3:24 am

Since I can't paint...I decided to work on non-painted work. Which means that I spent some time working on the bottles today. Since I like tutorials, and proper bottle maintenance isn't a common knowledge (and I'm a bit bored) here's a step by step tutorial on how to make the packages of water.

Here's a picture of what the bottles look like on the sprue. As you can see the bottles are nicely molded with no flash or bubbles.

Step #1;
When I said no flash I meant other than the small bit of flash on the top of each bottle. This small plug was easily removed with a pair of cutters and sanding down the nub that remained.

Step #2:
I bet some of you are wondering why I left all the bottles on the large plug? Well it is due to the fact that the plugs make it easier to paint on the white bottle-caps.

Step #3:
Now that your bottles have newly painted caps, it's time to separate them from their old plugs. This is simple enough; just cut the bottles out then sand/cut the remaining plug

Step #4:
This is the point where people can go either one of two ways. I glue the bottles in rows of 3, then when I have four of the groups I then glue them together. I'm sure that different people can think of different ways to make a 12-pack of bottles.

Step #5: (No photos sorry)
Now that you have your bottles glued it's time to wrap the entire group in plastic; there may be too much plastic so just put the excess underneath the bottles. Make sure that there are no plastic overlaps. Now time to heat up the plastic so it doesn't appear loose, to do this just apply a hair-dryer until the plastic is taught; Be very wary!! Take your time and be careful!!!

Since there is only enough bottles for two sets of wrapped bottles, there has to be another way for one to fill up the racks on the AAV-7. Luckily Legend provides a solution! Here is a photo of the cut outs for the boxes of water (both some Arab brand) and the typical boxes of MRE's. Sadly the MRE cut out does not have the clearest text. Luckily I have plenty of those MRE cut outs

Post by **schweinhund227** » Thu Jul 18, 2013 2:09 pm

I have seen peoples make a small cardboard box Bottom and wrap the bottles in real Saran-wrap to fake the real thing... looked very convincing !

Keep up the good work !

Norm.

Post by **chief5437** » Thu Jul 18, 2013 11:49 pm

Great little details, thanks for posting.

Post by **spruecutter** » Fri Jul 19, 2013 12:54 am

Great stuff.

Post by **NovYank** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 3:30 pm

Here is the first of many pictures (yet to be edited in) of the rucks included in the Legend Productions Stowage set. My first picture did not do justice to the detail that these backpacks had; all the MOLLE webbing and additional packs added to the rucks. Even though I wanted to paint these in woodland MARPAT that would take too much time and effort; so instead I painted the rucks in TAMIYA's XF-49 Khaki. These pics are before any wash, so one can imagine the detail that will be brought out with a light wash

Post by **schweinhund227** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 4:39 pm

if you want a little challenge ? SHINSENGUMI digital camo Decals could brings those RUCK to a new Level...?

have a look for them... Hobby link Japan sells them.. a 10$ sheet should do them all no problem...

Keep up with the updates..... it will be EPIC !

Post by **NovYank** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 5:12 pm

schweinhund227 wrote:if you want a little challenge ? SHINSENGUMI digital camo Decals could brings those RUCK to a new Level...?

have a look for them... Hobby link Japan sells them.. a 10$ sheet should do them all no problem...

Keep up with the updates..... it will be EPIC !

I was considering those decals. I used the paint because it was more convenient that and I did not know if the detail of the rucks would be shown with the decals. Since you have personal experience with those decals, would the decals show the level of detail that these packs provide?

Post by **schweinhund227** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 5:24 pm

I don't mind sharing my experience with them....

They do let the buckles and wrinkles show thru...
and they love Decal solution... you can even paint or drybrush details afterward ... to boost the details even more...

Acrylic paints ... just to be sure you don't melt the decals with Enamels... !

[youtube]D3diyf0LrHU[/youtube]

I didn't have a SUPER duper camera back in the days... sorry for low resolution !

but it should give you an Idea !

all the best my friend !

Post by **NovYank** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 5:54 pm

schweinhund227 wrote:I don't mind sharing my experience with them....

They do let the buckles and wrinkles show thru...
and they love Decal solution... you can even paint or drybrush details afterward ... to boost the details even more...

Acrylic paints ... just to be sure you don't melt the decals with Enamels... !

[youtube]D3diyf0LrHU[/youtube]

I didn't have a SUPER duper camera back in the days... sorry for low resolution !

but it should give you an Idea !

all the best my friend !

Thanks for all the advice and the video!!! I definitely will try them next time I have the stowage and the vehicle.

*cough cough* M1151 *cough cough*

Post by **NovYank** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 5:03 pm

Since there is still no paint for the AAV-7

. But that won't stop my imagination!! So here are some of my reference pics that keep me going.

This pic is that gives me a perspective of the stowage that is on these vehicles. We are all use to the occasional tarps and rucks that are on most tanks, but when you shove twenty plus Marines into a single vehicle there's gonna be some stowage on the side.

I like a good rear end like most people

This would make a great diorama!!!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 5:20 pm

Dude you should just paint the MTP or digicam onto the rucksacks. I have painted MTP by hand at 28mm scale before, so on 1/35 it should be ok. Same for digicam, sponge is your friend for that!

Post by **Modelpro72** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 7:42 am

NovYank

The ammount of times I've seen this on ebay and passed it up for one reason or another is off the scale. You my friend have given me yet another bug to buy one. Your progress so far is 1st class and I'm really looking forward to seeing more of it.

Thank you mate

Lenny

Post by **Modelpro72** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 12:06 pm

Modelpro72 wrote:NovYank

The ammount of times I've seen this on ebay and passed it up for one reason or another is off the scale. You my friend have given me yet another bug to buy one. Your progress so far is 1st class and I'm really looking forward to seeing more of it.

Thank you mate

Lenny

I've gone and done it!!! I bought one

Lenny

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 3:43 pm

Bad Lenny! What will Karen say!

Post by **Modelpro72** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 3:58 pm

Gav0909 wrote:Bad Lenny! What will Karen say!

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhshhh!!!!!!!

God Sake Gav!!!

Post by **NovYank** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 4:17 pm

Modelpro72 wrote:
Modelpro72 wrote:NovYank

The ammount of times I've seen this on ebay and passed it up for one reason or another is off the scale. You my friend have given me yet another bug to buy one. Your progress so far is 1st class and I'm really looking forward to seeing more of it.

Thank you mate

Lenny
I've gone and done it!!! I bought one

Lenny

Nice to see that I could inspire someone in the world of modelingl!!!! It's a great kit, I'll do a more in-depth review of the kit when I'm finished. But a fore warning, be very wary of the fitting of the interior parts, there are big flat pieces that are the interior. Have a long session, put all of them in at the same session.

Good luck with your build, and I hope my thread was a bit of help!!!

Post by **NovYank** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 4:19 pm

Gav0909 wrote:Bad Lenny! What will Karen say!

What she doesn't know won't hurt her...

Post by **Nige201980** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 7:39 pm

NovYank wrote:
Gav0909 wrote:Bad Lenny! What will Karen say!
What she doesn't know won't hurt her...

Unless she looks over your shoulder as your looking at this.

Post by **NovYank** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 2:23 am

Nige201980 wrote:
NovYank wrote:
Gav0909 wrote:Bad Lenny! What will Karen say!
What she doesn't know won't hurt her...
Unless she looks over your shoulder as your looking at this.

Remember when we just hid porn from our loved ones.

Ahhhh...the good ol' days

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:26 pm

NovYank wrote:
Remember when we just hid porn from our loved ones.

Ahhhh...the good ol' days

Hahahahahah

Post by **NovYank** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:55 pm

Still no paint...

but there are worst things that can happen, the kit is still intact and I'm in good health.

But I have made progress with the Legend Productions stowage set. Which is a great stowage set. In fact, I would recommend it to those who are not even doing an AAV-7. If you ever need some rucks, water bottles, or even some miscellaneous modern gear, I'd recommend this kit. There's a lot someone can do with about 16 modern USMC ILBE rucks.

I haven't done my research, but I'd imagine that buying this one kit would be cheaper than buying separate kits that would equal the entire haul of this kit. Time for me to stop reviewing the stowage set and get on with my progress.

This is what I've completed so far, a few jerry cans, duffel bags (which still need to be weathered a bit), and a bunch of those cut out boxes of an arab company's water boxes.

I forgot in the picture the rucksacks. All are painted standard coyote tan, sorry for all the guys who wanted me to paint them in MARPAT...next time guys, I promise

. All that is needed is a varnish and then a wash to show off all those gorgeous MOLLE webbing.

The kit also included some rope that will be used to make tow-ropes that are very common on the AAV-7 and all other Marine Corps vehicles. Here are some pics on the process of making them.

Step #1:

Glue two vertical cylinders about 3cm-4cm away from eachother. Loop the rope around the length of the poles about three times. Then start circling the rope around the length of the threads. Decide to stop whenever you want; remember in real life this is done with thick naval rope, so don't bind it tightly. Also dab some super glue on the rope from time to time so the rope stays in place and doesn't undo itself.

Step #2:

Remove the rope from the poles, paint it, then mount it on your vehicle!!!

Oh and no, the AAV-7 is not fully painted and assembled, I just took the picture from a good angle.

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 10:00 pm

That rope is great thanks for the tip.

That stowage set is awesome Ill deffo consider it if I decide to do anything similar.

Post by **NovYank** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 10:32 pm

T3hGuppy wrote:That rope is great thanks for the tip.

That stowage set is awesome Ill deffo consider it if I decide to do anything similar.

I definitely recommend it. Fantastic kit and all that much stuff and for less than it would be to get all of it from different kits. And good luck with the rope!!!!

Post by **Coen** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 2:21 am

Whoa.. thanks for the rope trick Dude... Yank... Nov...
I'll go with Dude.
That was a great little trick. Was it something that was described in the kit or did you pick that up somewhere else.
That was sweet.

Post by **NovYank** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 3:05 am

Coen wrote:Whoa.. thanks for the rope trick Dude... Yank... Nov...
I'll go with Dude.
That was a great little trick. Was it something that was described in the kit or did you pick that up somewhere else.
That was sweet.

As much as I would like to take credit for that, it was a part if the kit. It was right next to a picture on how to make the water bottles.

In fact, I should've just uploaded that pic...oh well, what's done is done (and done fantastically due to the instructions). The only thing wrong with it is I would've it the poles farther apart.

I like to think that even if the kit hadn't provided it I would've thought of it...in the real world I have dozens of those rope bundles due to the fact of 4x4's, hiking, and climbing. All which need plenty of rope

I hope this neat little trick helps in the future!!!!