UN LAV III (Trumpeter) dio - many figures

Here is the page from the instructions depicting a UN LAV III:

The first pic (UN) is a Canadian LAV III.  I don't know enough about them or the Trumpeter kit to tell how close they are.  There are some update sets for the Canadian LAV IIIs though by Real Model and Firestorm, I think.

The second pic is a US Army Stryker, which is similar to the LAV III, but not the same.  The most obvious difference is the Stryker does not have a turret.  There are other differeces as well.  The model in the pic looks like an M1126 Stryker ICV (Infantry Carrier Vehicle) with a dozer blade.  Trumpeter and AFV Club both make this version.  I prefer the AFV Club versiosn myself.  I don't know of any maker of the dozer blade.  You would also need the add-on armor panels and SLAT armor AM sets and a scratch-built sniper screen over the rear area to make the one pictured.

AFV Club M1126

Trumpeter M1126

A similar vehicle is the M1132 Stryker ESV (Engineer Squad Vehicle).  Trumpeter and AFV Club both make M1132s as well.  Both come with a surface mine plow, but not the same one as in the pic.  Trumpeter also has a roller version. 

AFV Club M1132 ESV

Trumpeter M1132 ESV w/plow

Trumpeter M1132 ESV w/roller

As for colors, all US Army Strykers are overall Forest Green. 

Hope that helps.

I'd like to stick to Canadian for this project I think. The UN LAV is really eye catching and I'd love to do that one, just looking for some kind of reference on LAV use with the UN; couldn't find much of anything.

If you want I have a friend that is a canuck tanker and is an expert on the lav III since he deployed with the to afgan and help write a few books for real model. I can ask him about the un vehicle and light obstacle clearance blade. I do know those a real un vehicles deployed to Eritrea in 2001 at Camp Groesbeek part of the UNMEE. I'll try to get you more info on them.

kruppw

...I do know those a real un vehicles deployed to Eritrea in 2001 at Camp Groesbeek part of the UNMEE. I'll try to get you more info on them...

I'll have to go digging through my archives, but I think I actually have some photos of these machines. 2001 sounds about right, there was a fleet of them that were shipped through the port facilities in Saint John, NB. I was working for a PR company that did work for the Port Authority and took some photos of shiny bright UN vehicles loading onto a dark beat-up civilian cargo ship! There wouldn't be any up-close detail shots but I bet you'd get the basic setup.

Awesome, sounds perfect! Thanks for the quick and helpful responses everyone! Maybe once I really get going on this project I'll get my camera up and running and hopefully have something to brag about.

Here is an email I got with some answers to your question

Well for a UN LAV-3 deployed , they were sent with no add on armour and were sent bare bones when it comes to vehicle stowage. Plus the UN paint is of a high gloss type when applied new, as high vis for any OPFOR to see them . There are only 3 or 4 photos of the White Lav-3's, I tracked on down, repainted in CARG green and took a few snaps of it. Sorry, but that is all I have right now, if you need any more help just let me know.

You can actually see on the first picture you posted that there is no armor on the hull, you can mostly see it around the front of the hull around the driver's area. I'm guessing it's hard to find much on them during their deployment. I hope this helps out some.

Thanks again!

Now I know you said they're painted in a high gloss, but would that not be an awful looking final product? Or am I basically looking at a high gloss paint job covered in dust and sand to tone it down?

Well... I've been doing a lot more reading. About the UNMEE, the conflict, etc. etc. And found that Operation Eclipse in 2000, and hence the SHIRBRIG (Stand-by High Readiness Brigade, correct?) were the first to use the LAV III. After 6 months, in June 2001 the 450 soldiers sent to the Ethiopia - Eritrea border returned home. Does this sound accurate?

I'm still looking for more info on the UN use, I'm assuming it was just while they were relocating during the conflict etc. but I'd like to see some more pictures of them in the field

EDIT: Stumbled onto these pictures, and a great reference for the SHIRBRIG and Canada's military role with the UN.

You can just google un operations in eritrea to get some info on the what was going on in the country. But good look finding anything on the LAV III being deployed. I found a couple of them but are too small to even use, but here is one on patrol.

The lav's left port in overall gloss white, but once in country, the harsh African environment took it's toll on the paint and faded it. You can look at other un vehicles to see their no longer in pretty white anymore, so you can more likely use flat white unless you want a clean pre-deployed vehicle. Also to answer question about the blade on the front of the lav, these were not used in Eritrea. The blade did not come about until their deployment to afgan. I'm trying to see if I can find you some more info on their use. Here is a link I'm not sure if you have looked at or not.

http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vo8/no2/army-armee-eng.asp

I just found and read that article lol. Thanks, and yes I know about the plow etc. I am finding more and more info as I continue to look, just double checking the accuracy of things. I'm thinking I would start in a gloss white, see what happens, maybe dull it with weathering - causing gloss to still be apparent in spots. I can always spray it with matte if the gloss seems a tad offensive.

buff

The first pic may have been taken in Eritrea, but I'm not sure. I don't know if the Trumpeter kit can be used to accurately depict the one in the picture. The second pic looks like a Stryker, not a Lav III, judging by the RWS.

Second picture?? I only see one. Am I missing something?

the thread was edited and re-worded in the opening post, the 2nd picture was removed becuase it had nothing to do with what it says now