Trumpeter M1126 Stryker ICV

i am building the trumpeter canadian 6x6 GRIZZLY and the 8x8 JGSDF TTPE 96B IFV. both are base coated.

i don't put the windshields on any of them because i don't like the way they look. HOWEVER, it isn't an option with the 96B so i did some research. the japanese did this for increased visibliy for the driver in urban/ied situations. the glass is armored so it is more than to keep the driver comfortable.

At home I have a book, US Army: Abrams Stryker , Bradley published by Sam Publications. I got it as I have a couple of kits covered by it and from memory i cant remember seeing any Stryker with the windshield used, just checked a few web sites too and can't see it raised their either. As you say it was a good idea by the designer that no one in the field would use

Phil

One of these days I'll post some in progress pics.  Despite the inadequate instructions the kit is progressing rather smoothly.

One quick question though.  How commonly are the driver's windshields used on the 1026?  I have hardly seen any pictures of any Stryker variant with the windshield attached, which leads me to believe it's one of those "brilliant" ideas that doesn't work in the field.  But it's shown attached a lot in the instructions.  I see that yours don't have them.

i built the afv kit. took a second in a local contest. no real issues except the wheels didn't have very thick attachment points and ended up being superglued. seems to be common and i do a lot of wheels (don't like indy track and don't do much ww2 stuff). i built the trumpeter LAV-III which took a second in another local contest. similar to STRYKER with a turret.

yeah, the FSM review made me think the AFV kit had a lot more problems.  Now I know to take them with a grain of salt.

There are many small shape and angle inaccuracies in the trumpeter kit. The afv kit is much better shape and detail wise than the trumpeter one. Most Fsm reviews give undeserving praise to just about every kit.

I'm still working on this, it's coming together nicely so far, my only complaint is that the instructions are not very well detailed.  There aren't any color callouts for small parts, so I'm relying a lot on research and guesswork.

I have one question for anyone who's built this kit.

The Instructions say how to display the hatches closed, but don't give an option for open hatches, even though they show the hatches open later for how to add the crew figures.  Most of the hatches are easy to guess, but does anyone have any tips on displaying the commander's hatch open?