The Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) is a series of fourteen variants based on a common chassis with differing payloads and mission requirements. They consist of tactical wheeled vehicles based on a common truck cab, chassis, and internal components, plus two tactical trailers. The FMTVs, all automatic, come in 14 variations of 2.5-ton cargo and van models, and 5-ton cargo, tractor, van, wrecker, tanker and dump-truck models. Eighty percent commonality of parts — same engines, transmissions, drivelines, power trains, tires, cabs — in these new trucks is expected to save the Army millions of dollars in maintenance costs. Lighter-weight construction will cut fuel costs dramatically, too.
The vehicle’s cab-over design (with engine, fluids and hydraulics all accessible in one place under the cab) makes regular maintenance much easier. The FMTV family is built by the Stewart and Stevenson Services Company of Texas, and is based on the European Steyr design. FMTVs will eventually replace all M35 series 2.5 ton and M900 series 5 ton trucks currently in the inventory.
The M1078 LMTV Standard Cargo Truck is designed to transport cargo and soldiers. The M1078 has a payload capacity of 5,000 pounds (2.5-ton) and to facilitate loading/unloading, the bed side rails are mounted on hinges and can be lowered. The cargo bed is equipped with a bench seat kit for transport of soldiers. The bench seats are constructed from a non-wood material, and attach to the cargo bed side rails. The seats can be folded down and stowed when not in use. Soldiers are assisted in climbing in and out of the cargo bed area with the aid of a ladder stowed on the vehicle.
the kit
E.T. Model out of China has provided a PE update set for the Trumpeter M1078 LMTV kit. The set contains 2 PE frets and a small printed clear acetate sheet with the instrument faces on it.
the review
The set looks to be very well-detailed, with fine bend lines and a nicely-etched instrument panel face. The Instructions are 2 full 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheets and very well-detailed. Assembly of the parts looks straightforward with no complicated bends.
A bonus of the set is the inclusion of the Stewart and Stevenson grill badge that Trumpeter left off the model. Also included is a nice Bridge Classification placard for the front as well. The remainder of the set is to update the frame under the bed, internal boxes in the cab, and some finer details throughout the kit.
conclusion
This small set is definitely recommended if you like to add that extra detail that was left out by Trumpeter.
SUMMARY
Highs: A simple, small set that will add some great detail to your M1078.Lows: None noted. Verdict: Highly recommended. This is a great set to add some extra detail to your M1078.
Our Thanks to E.T. Model! 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.
About Gino P. Quintiliani (HeavyArty) FROM: FLORIDA, UNITED STATES
Retired US Army Artillery Officer, currently a contractor at MacDill AFB in the Tampa, FL area. I have been modelling for the past 40+ years, really seriously on armor and large scale helos (1/32, 1/35) for the last 35 or so.
I used this kit on my LMTV build and its not the greatest.
It could just be me (or indeed, my particular etch set) but some of the folds broke apart after only a little working. They didn't seem to be as strong as some etch sets or as flexible as Eduards. Some building of the etch parts was extremely tricky and the placement of some parts not entirely sensible. The tie-down assembly for the spare wheel was the worst in my opinion. I would advise the use of kabuki tape instead.
The good parts were the dashboard dials (there is an accetate set of dials and an etched cover) that, when painted, looks excellent. The mud-guards also build up very nicely (the kit parts have ejector pin marks on both sides and need to be filled and sanded). The Stewart and Stevenson badge, as Bill mentions, is also pretty good and gives the front a nice finish.
However, the two boxes in the cab, I found, aren't all that accurate. In photos of the interior of the vehicle these boxes are simple items and in pictures of the interior of the vehicle they are often left open to reveal a black square mesh inside. (There is also a similar sized box with mesh attached to the roof of the cab behind the driver position.)
Basically, I would just say, take care when using this etch set as it is pretty tricky.
(Thanks to Bill for his review.)
Thank you, Karl, but it was Gino's review, I just edited it.
PE thickness varies enormously from manufacturer to manufacturer. While I can't comment in specific on this set or Karl's work, but I can say that several steps will help with PE:
1.) Heat the PE over a flame such as a gas grill lighter or a medium gas stove until it turns red (but be careful not to hold it there as it will melt). This will make the PE easier to bend.
2.) Make sure you have a etch folding tool. It really makes the job easier and avoids over-bending the items.
My Etch mate definetly helped with some of the more tricky bends. There are a couple of very long bits to bend (toward the rear under the load bed) and they are tricky even with an etch mate to keep the fold nice and even.
I think a soldering gun would have helped in some parts.
Apologies to Gino- thanks for your review.
Thanks, Karl, for the "hands-on" explanations. It's always good to get feedback on how a kit or upgrade handles in the field. It would take us months to review everything if we had to do full or even partial builds, so your input is valued.
Thanks for the first-hand build knowledge Karl. No problem on mis-crediting the review either. I do have one clarification though. You say,
That is not totally correct. The original versions of the truck came with just the closed storage boxes as in the PE set and kit. Through experience in the field, the crews asked for more storage that was easier to get to. The new boxes with a mesh cover were the result. Many of the unmodified trucks are still in the force with just the closed storage boxes still, so either way is correct. It just depends on the specific truck you are modeling as to the inside storage layout.
I am building this kit right now and I have the pro art models update set, but wouldn't mind have this PE set for some of the detail in resin is not that great so I thought this might help.
I tried to find this on the internet and was wondering where I can find this and buy it.
Happy Modeling
Tom
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