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In-Box Review
176
American AFV Tools
American AFV Tools
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by: Frederick Boucher [ JPTRR ]

Introduction
American AFV Tools is a set of 1/76 tools by Armtec, a cottage industry manufacturer and distributor from Enfield, Connecticut, that debuted c. 1971.

This review is a trek down the track of nostalgia as one of my vintage kit celebrations. Since Armtec sets are not uncommon to find and still useful, I present this as a 'public service announcement' or an educational review, to just fill in the gaps - all of those are my reason for eclectic model reviews.

Armtec American AFV Tools
American AFV Tools was the 3rd injection-molded accessories set. It was made for 1/76 models (which is OO scale in model railroading). Most European model companies (and some Japanese ones such as Fujimi and Eidai) chose 1/76 as their "braille scale" military scale and it is the same as OO scale, enhancing the integration of military models with model railroading.

American AFV Tools set is 9 pieces:
    Jerry cans x 2
    Crowbar
    Track wrench
    Spade
    Axe
    Sledge hammer
    Pickaxe head
    Pickaxe handle

Molding is fair-to-good. Some edges are soft. There is a sink mark on the crowbar. The gas cans are bowed inward. The parts are reasonable to scale. However, the jerry cans look bad. Each part is attached to the common sprue with a hefty connector.

I am amused that printed on the back of the packaging is, "Not for sale in U.S.A. or Canada."

Instructions
None, except what is printed on the back of the package.

Conclusion
This tool set can enhance older 1/76 military vehicles. These are not up to today's standards, nor are they poor quality. They are useful.

Armtec was founded by Mr. Ray Pape, offering modelers unique and superior accessories and weapons than what were included in kits, as well as kitting full kits of subjects not offered by mainstream model companies.

The first sets were 1/76 - then the predominate braille scale for armor. Armtec expanded into 1/35 and 1/48, and a few 1/72 aircraft products. They also kitted vac-formed conversion kits and cast metal kits; Crest Reproductions manufactured "exclusively for Armtec" those metal artillery and vehicle kits.

Mr. Pape is also the founder of Craftec Hobbies, a hobby shop in East Windsor, Connecticut.
SUMMARY
Highs: Seven common tools.
Lows: Molding is not up to today's standard. Bad jerry cans.
Verdict: A useful set.
  Scale: 1:76
  Mfg. ID: Set 3
  Suggested Retail: Varies
  PUBLISHED: Dec 15, 2016
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 0.00%

About Frederick Boucher (JPTRR)
FROM: TENNESSEE, UNITED STATES

I'm a professional pilot with a degree in art. My first model was an AMT semi dump truck. Then Monogram's Lunar Lander right after the lunar landing. Next, Revell's 1/32 Bf-109G...cried havoc and released the dogs of modeling! My interests--if built before 1900, or after 1955, then I proba...

Copyright ©2021 text by Frederick Boucher [ JPTRR ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Ahhhh, what a wonderful trip down "Memory Lane"! I ran across these sets at a hobby shop 350 miles from where I lived as a fluke during a summer vacation. I near cleared out the little stock they had and never did see Armtec stuff around my area. I got a few of these sets, the German tools sets, German machine guns, Jerry can sets and three Czech 38 tank suspension sets. Believe it or not, a quick check of the "old" work bench revealed I still have those suspension sets. As the saying goes "thanks for the memories!" Cheers, Jan 🍻
DEC 15, 2016 - 01:36 AM
I actually built the vacform Hetzer. If ever there was an armored vehicle perfect for a vacform model it was the Hetzer. It came with the 38t suspension, a gun barrel and the German tool set. Though the vacform tracks were a bit much.
DEC 15, 2016 - 05:57 AM
I remember ads for these in the old Military Modeling mags of the 70s. I still have some and actually made some moulds and now cast my own when I need them. Paul
DEC 15, 2016 - 08:28 PM
   
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