Armorama :: REVIEW Hobby Boss AAVP-7A1

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REVIEW

Hobby Boss AAVP-7A1

c5flies

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Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 02:13 PM UTC

Darren Baker provides an In-Box Review of the AAVP-7A1 Assault Amphibious Vehicle by Hobby Boss in 1/35.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Kelley

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Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 03:24 PM UTC

Nice job Darren, not that anyone needs my opinion but having the kit I can only agree with everything you said. I'd also like to add that I have the Tamiya kit and have done some comparing of the two. When you look at the two large hull parts the Tamiya kit has a little crisper detail, and fit is just a bit better. Aside from that the Hobbyboss kit is every bit as good, once you add the interior into the equation there's no question, the HB kit gets my vote. For anyone who has the Tamiya kit and might be thinking of picking up one of the HB kits to use the interior, don't bother. Number one, the HB interior would not be a drop fit for the Tamiya kit. You might be able to make it fit, but it would take a good bit of work to do so. Second as I mentioned already, why? The exterior detail on the Tamiya kit is not that much better. Just buy one of the HB kits and build it! Now, how long before we see the RAM/RS and EAAK versions.

Cheers,
Mike

RobinNilsson

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Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 10:54 PM UTC

Thanks!
I was worried that the hull shape wouldn't have the downward slope towards the rear
(the big issue with the Minicraft kit).

Added to the (way too big) to-buy list :-)
/ Robin

troubble27

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Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 03:08 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Now, how long before we see the RAM/RS and EAAK versions.

Cheers,
Mike

I second Mike in saying "Nice job on the review Darren". Mike, Hobby Boss has the RAM/RS version listed on their web site already. I would say it coming soon. As for the EAAK version, who knows. But I think these will keep us occupied until the EAAK version does come out. As for the Tamiya kit, yeah, I remember when they were hard to come by. I have one in my stash I was going to build with EAAK and an Interior, but I just couyld never bring myself to shell out almost $200 for the Hobby Fan kits. Just seemed too expensive for the base model. Now that I just got this one, I think IM putting my Tamiya kit back on Ebay! LOL

CMOT

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Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 04:03 AM UTC

Mike, Robin, and Gary thank you for your words of support of this review.

trahe

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Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 04:10 AM UTC

When is this kit going to be released?

CMOT

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Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 04:31 AM UTC

It is on general release already Thomas

sauceman

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Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 - 03:34 AM UTC

Very nice review Darren, especially all the sprue shots!

It is truly a golden age for modern armour afficianado's

cheers from the sandbox

skyhawk

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Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 - 04:27 AM UTC

Great review Darren! I cant wait to start picking up a whole set of these..including the RAM/RS and EAAK. Then maybe even do a R and a C to complete the collection!!

One large note to all of you looking at adding the "missing" radios, OR using this for a non RAM/RS non-EAAK OIF track...
The model OOB is made for the old PRC radios. (long phased out by OIF). The radios should be behind the "ladder" or "cage" between the battery box and the portable fire extenquisher on the Starboard side. Not only does the interior reflect a older PRC equiped AAVP, but the exterior does as well. With the instalation of the SINCGARS in the mid 90's, 4 anennas were added (2 for each radio). the rear two were in the same location as the old ones, but there were 2 new ones added on new mast mounts along the sides (no, not placed symetricaly across from each other either). A good look at some OIF or RAM/RS photos and you will see the mounts.

Hopefully, Hobbyboss will include these on thier RAM/RS

OOB, this kit would be a perfect (with the addition of some PRC radios) Desert Storm era track.

YAT-YAS
Andy

Frenchy

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Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 - 05:01 AM UTC

Quoted Text

there were 2 new ones added on new mast mounts along the sides (no, not placed symetricaly across from each other either).

Here's the left one :

HTH
Frenchy

docdios

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Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 - 06:43 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Great review Darren! I cant wait to start picking up a whole set of these..including the RAM/RS and EAAK. Then maybe even do a R and a C to complete the collection!!

One large note to all of you looking at adding the "missing" radios, OR using this for a non RAM/RS non-EAAK OIF track...
The model OOB is made for the old PRC radios. (long phased out by OIF). The radios should be behind the "ladder" or "cage" between the battery box and the portable fire extenquisher on the Starboard side. Not only does the interior reflect a older PRC equiped AAVP, but the exterior does as well. With the instalation of the SINCGARS in the mid 90's, 4 antennas were added (2 for each radio). the rear two were in the same location as the old ones, but there were 2 new ones added on new mast mounts along the sides (no, not placed symetricaly across from each other either). A good look at some OIF or RAM/RS photos and you will see the mounts.

Hopefully, Hobbyboss will include these on thier RAM/RS

OOB, this kit would be a perfect (with the addition of some PRC radios) Desert Storm era track.

YAT-YAS
Andy

Hi Andy

do you have any thing that shows the location of these additional antennas, I have a couple of pictures that show one half way up the side among the side basket but I can't work out the other which appears to be just behind the turret

cheers

Keith

210cav

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Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 - 07:02 AM UTC

Darren-- darn fine review! I am not a builder of post WW II armor, but your remarks certainly heightened my interested in getting this kit. Well done.
thanks
DJ

Frenchy

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Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 - 08:23 AM UTC

OK let's try again

Left side antenna mast :

Right side :

HTH
Frenchy

docdios

#036

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Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 - 09:43 AM UTC

cheers Frenchy

Luckily that came up before I painted that bit

Keith

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Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 - 01:27 PM UTC

Great review really looking foward to starting the build.
But has anyone got any idea of a match for the pale green interior walls and can anyone confirm the colours of the floor and inside ramp?

HeavyArty

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Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 - 05:07 PM UTC

The interior color is called SeaFoam Green. Tamiya Sky, Humbrol Sky-S, and Testors Model Master Pale Green with a few drops of white added works well. The floor is painted a very dak green or black. The interior of the ramp and hatches are painted to match the exterior. If camo, then they are dark green. If sand, they are also sand, or can be dark green from a track that was camo and was repainted sand.

CMOT

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Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 - 05:40 PM UTC

Thank you for the positive reception of this review.

skyhawk

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Posted: Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 06:20 AM UTC

[quote
Hi Andy

do you have any thing that shows the location of these additional antennas, I have a couple of pictures that show one half way up the side among the side basket but I can't work out the other which appears to be just behind the turret

cheers

Keith[/quote]

Keith, does Frenchys pictures answer your questions?

Andy

docdios

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Posted: Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 07:24 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Keith, does Frenchys pictures answer your questions?

Andy

Yep perfectly thanks Andy (and Frenchy), luckily I found that I needed to add the extra aerials before painting the outside of the model.

I will post a couple of pictures later in my build blog so you can see what I have done

cheers

keith