Which kit for this LVTP-7 / AAVP-7?

This looks like the older LVTP-7.

Hobbyboss has recently released a new kit of this vehicle. I haven't seen it yet, but it looks nice from what I've seen online  - it also has a full interior, unlike the Academy kit (much cheaper) which is essentially a clone of the older (long discontinued) Tamiya kit. I believe the Academy kit only provides Korean markings too.

You can view the instructions for the Hobbyboss kit here: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10083615

EDIT: The headlight configuration suggests an AAVP-7 rather than an LVTP-7 - I'm not sure if there is a kit of the AAVP-7 in the early configuration with the original style turret and without the fold-out trim vane.

Thank You for Your quick response!

Three more questions on the subject

1 The old LVTP-7 Tamiya kit featured instructions with three different MERDC schemes and decal sheets. Does anybody happen to have those instructions? I´d rather not buy a second kit just to get my hands on the painting and markings plan ...

2 Am I right that those vehicles sported the old turrets and not the upgraded ones with the 40mm?

3 Is it possible to depict them with EEAK armor? Or wasn´t that in use at the time and in this scenario? I kinda like the looks of that type of armor

Hi Theoden,

Please note my edit above..

Hobbyboss also have a later AAVP-7A1 kit, which has the UGWS turret, later headlights, fold-out trim vane and hangers for the EAAK armour, though it doesn't provide the armour itself. http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10080261

There is (or was) a cheap knock-off of the Tamiya AAVP-7A1 made by Minihobby (from China) which includes the EAAK panels - from what I understand, it's a dreadful kit. More reading here: http://vodnik.net/pages/amtracs/aavp7a1wEAAK.htm

In 1/72 scale, Dragon also do a range of AAVP-7 variants, though I velieve there  isn't an early model there either..

Defiantly not a LVTP7.  The LVTP7 has round headlights.  The upgraded LVTP7 is the LVTP7a1.  Most of the upgrades were internal.  The Marine Corps changed the designation of their amphibious tracked vehicle from LVTP7a1 to AAVP7a1 in the mid 80's.  The Amtrac in your picture is an LVTP7a1/AAVP7a1.  The Amtracs with the upgraded turrets are called AAVP7a1 w/ UGWS. The Amtrac in your picture is the older style turret mounting only a .50cal so it would just be an AAVP7a1. 

There are two AAVP7a1 kits by HobbyBoss.  The one you want is the AAVP7a1 not the AAVP7a1 Ram/Rs.  The AAVP7a1 Ram/Rs had different running gear.

If you don't need an interior, you could just buy the Tamiya kit.  Ebay has one here: http://cgi.ebay.com/Tamiya-1-35-U-S-Marine-LVTP7A1-35159_W0QQitemZ180341714507QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item29fd342e4b&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

-Jesse

Thanks for the info! Maybe I´ll try a little kit bashing and mix the old Tamiya kit with the new HobbyBoss. Probably an interesting project.

Kind regards from Germany,

Eric

            The picture is an AAVP7A1 with M85 turret, and before receiving the bow-plane and armor modifications.

            The distinguishing portion within the nomenclature of the P7 Family of Vehicles when differentiating variants is not LVT or AAV, but "A1." The acronym was just a name change, with the majority of our documents still referring to the vehicle as LVT7's. During the mid-80's (coinciding with SLEP [Service Life Extension Program]) the nomenclature shifted from LVT (Landing Vehicle, Tracked) to AAV (Amphibious Assault Vehicle) not to distinguish models of the vehicle, but to better reflect the role and mission of the vehicle. The same shift occurred to the AAV's eventual replacement, the EFV. For many years, the replacement was the AAAV (Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle), but was renamed the EFV (Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle), once again to reflect the role and mission of the vehicle and to keep pace with modern parlance. But, the Program Office responsible for the vehicle is still titled PM-AAAV.

            There were many internal differences between the LVTP7 / AAVP7 and the LVTP7A1 / AAVP7A1, but the major external and distinguishing differences are the headlights, Troop Commanders cupola height and cargo hatch supports. Academy produces a P7 variant, where as Tamiya and Hobby Boss produce the P7A1 variant. Items such as the UGWS (Upgunned Weapons Station with .50 and 40mm), Bow-plane, EAAK (Enhanced Appliqué Armor Kit), SINCGARS (Single Channel Ground Air Radio System) suite and RAM/RS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability/Rebuild to Standard) resulted in no change of designation or nomenclature, it is still just the AAVP7A1 (RAM/RS no longer attached because all AAVs in inventory are modified).

            The alternate style of add-on armor was used simultaneously as EAAK, but EAAK proved better. Many of our vehicles still have scars from the mounting bosses from the old armor, and many of our "home-made" BBQ pits within the battalion have grills made from the old add-on armor.

            Below is a pic of an Academy AAVP7 I built for a buddy that retired couple of years back. When I went through AmTrac school, there were still several of the 7A1's in this scheme, but had OD UGWS's. I believe I have the paint scheme Technical Manual, or maybe model directions still, but will have to check my pile of papers at work.

I had no luck locating the actual manuals or instructions with the paint schemes you are looking for, all I could locate are the NATO three color patterns. What I did find are the manual titles you need to hunt (google?) for. They are:

TM 4750-15/2-1, Camouflage Paint Pattems PCN 182 047501 00 dated December 1986.

TM 4750-15/2-2, Camouflage Paint Pattems PCN 182 047502 00 dated December 1986.

TM 4750-15/2-3, Camouflage Paint Pattems PCN 18204750300 dated February 1987.

TM 4750-15/2-4, Camouflage Paint Pattems PCN 182 047504 00 dated May 1987.

TM 4750-15/2-5, Camouflage Paint Pattems PCN 18204750500 dated September 1987.

TM 4750-15/2-6, Camouflage Paint Patterns PCN 18204750600 dated May 1988.

TM 4750-15/2-7, Camouflage Paint Patterns PCN 18204750700 dated May 1988.

TM 4750-15/2-8, Camouflage Paint Patterns PCN 18204750800 dated May 1988.

TM 4750-15/2-9, Camouflage Paint Patterns PCN 18204750900 dated May 1988.

TM 4750-15/2-10, Camouflage Paint Patterns PCN 182047510 00 dated May 1988.

I do not kow exactly which one would have the LVT7(FOV) / AAV7(FOV).

The current paint manual for patterns is TM 4750-OD/2, and the manual for markings is TM 4750-OD/1.

Theoden,

I've got a set of instructions for the old Tamiya LVTP7A1 with the MERDC scheme on Pg.8  I could snail mail them to you or I could scan & e-mail them to you.  Below is a picture of the page I think your looking for

Hope this helps.  Let me know if you need more

 Gary

Thanks a lot Gary, this was exactly what I was looking for!

In the meantime I decided to try kitbashing the old Tamiya kit with the Hobbyboss AAVP-7 to get as close as possible to the original in the pic. So You do not need to send the instructions, as I will soon possess my own ;-) Nevertheless thanks You very much for Your kind proposal!

Maybe I will post my first WIP for this project... 

Eric