TRUMPETER [ MORE REVIEWS ] [ WEBSITE ] [ NEW STORIES ]

In-Box Review
135
M1130 Stryker Command Vehicle
Trumpeter M1130
  • move

by: Robert Burik [ BURIK ]

the vehicle
The M1130 is the command variant of the Stryker family. It is used as a brigade command vehicle, battalion command vehicle, S3 TAC command vehicle, RSTA squadron command vehicle, battalion S3 vehicle, and tactical air control party (USAF) vehicle. It is very similar in appearance to the Stryker ICV, but has a second power entry hatch located on the right side hull, a slightly reconfigured rear portion of the hull roof, and of course the added antennas for the command variant.
Folks may wish to refer to my review of the AFV Club M1130 as a comparison.
THE KIT
Just like the other offerings from Trumpeter - and AFV Club - there is no non-slip surface on the kit. Some issues, like the strut guard covers, have been fixed from the original ICV kit, but others still remain, like the incorrect position of the DVE. Many will be thankful for the inclusion of add-on details like MRE boxes, Coke and Pepsi cases, water bottle cases, colored paper pre-cut to use as straps seen on the hull sides, MOLLE packs and three crew figures.
The main components of the hull remain the same. It still has some softer detail compared to the AFV Club kit. The tires have been updated by Trumpeter and now have the Michelin lettering embossed on them. However, the wheel hubs are still very basic and soft in detail. As noted, the strut guards are corrected using PE. Also getting the PE treatment is the exhaust deflector, which is now being used even on Strykers without slat armor, along with the wire cutters and the can holders on the rear of the hull.
Even though the RWS was updated with PE rain guards for the lenses, and the proper inclusion of the lens cap holder, it is still soft in detail, with the smoke dischargers being the most anemic along with the actual weapons themselves - .50 cal machine gun Mk 19 grenade launcher.The front winch assembly is the same softly detailed part from the original ICV offering, as are the poor light clusters.
A nice touch is the inclusion of the driver's windshield kit which is seeing wide use in Afghanistan at this time.
Of course, it is the antenna suite that makes the vehicle stand out. Trumpeter provides the choice between the Conical Logarithmic Spiral Mobile (CLSM) antenna and the X-blade antenna.
DECALS
The decals are for two vehicles from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment stationed in Germany. Both options include crew member names on the left side of the hull.
CONCLUSIONS
Highs: The basics are there along with interesting detail such as the stowage and pre-cut straps and driver's weather kit. Trumpeter took the criticism of the original ICV kit and fixed some shortcomings.
Lows: The DVE still remains in the incorrect position in front of the driver. The RWS was corrected in some respects but still is soft in detail. The tires were updated with lettering, but the wheel hubs are still poor.
SUMMARY
Highs: The basics are there along with interesting detail such as the stowage and pre-cut straps and driver's weather kit. Trumpeter took the criticism of the original ICV kit and fixed some shortcomings.
Lows: The DVE still remains in the incorrect position in front of the driver. The RWS was corrected in some respects but still is soft in detail. The tires were updated with lettering, but the wheel hubs are still poor.
Verdict: It's nice to see Trumpeter fixing shortcomings from the ICV offering, but some of the fixes are made ontop of already soft detail, and are not altogether new.
Percentage Rating
85%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 00397
  Suggested Retail: $49.95
  PUBLISHED: Jan 25, 2010
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.00%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 84.47%

Our Thanks to Stevens International!
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.

View Vendor Homepage  |  More Reviews  

About Robert Burik (Burik)
FROM: NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES

We recently moved to New Jersey from Oregon. Being from Pittsburgh, we are very happy to be back on the east coast, although I will miss the Northwest - it is quite beautiful. I have been modeling since my teens, and have been lucky enough to have written a couple of books and a handful of artic...

Copyright ©2021 text by Robert Burik [ BURIK ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Hi Bob, Very good review. I wait your comparison with AFV M1130. Only one. The driver's windshield kit which used US Army in A-stan is very different. Here is photo. Miloslav
JAN 25, 2010 - 11:21 AM
Hi Miloslav: You are right. The Afghanistan version is a bit different. They moved the DVE over it and the front windshield is shaped a little different. Robert Skipper's Stryker CD has very good photos of the A-stan version. I did the AFV Club M1130 review awhile back. Bob
JAN 25, 2010 - 01:37 PM
   
ADVERTISEMENT


Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
ADVERTISEMENT