Trumpeter's 1/35 Stryker Command Vehicle
By Rob Folden
Kit number: 00397
MSRP: $49.95
Overview
"Stryker" is used as the name-all for a family of vehicles based on the Canadian made LAV III, which is built from the Swiss designed MOWAG Piranha, an eight wheeled armored troop carrier. Designed and built in the early 21st Century, the Stryker is so much more than just an armored personnel carrier. With eleven variants currently in service is roles varying from battlefield ambulance to Mobile Gun Systems, the Stryker has evolved to fit the Army's many needs. To coordinate these vehicles, as well as the Army's other battlefield weaponry; the Army introduced the Stryker Command Vehicle [CV]. The CV gives battlefield commanders a link to not only every vehicle, but also every soldier in the combat zone. Using a variety of high powered short, mid, and long range communications arrays, including satellite links to command in the US, the CV allows commanders to begin their planning while still en route to the combat zone. By increasing situational awareness, the CV aids commanders in coordinating offensive and defensive maneuvers.
The Kit
Trumpeter is no stranger to Stryker models. Being one of the first companies to release the long awaited Infantry vehicle, Trumpeter has subsequently released several other variants, including the Reconnaissance Vehicle and the Anti-Tank Guided-Missile variant. Now Trumpeter adds to the list with the CV. The kits comes in light grey plastic on 12 solid sprues, 2 clear sprues, two hull halves, and 8 rubber/vinyl tires. The detail is very crisp and well molded. Sprue attachment points where thoughtfully placed to ease in clean-up during construction. Additionally, the parts were free of flash and most mold lines were light and did not occur on part faces. Trumpeter also included a small fret of photo-etched brass parts. This includes engine deck screens and some armor pieces.
The rubber wheels a well molded with deep tread patterns, and with proper prep work and paint should rival any resin aftermarket tires available. All of the antenna mounts and the prominent satellite uplink are all present, however you will have to provide some stretched sprue of thin gauge wire for the whip antennae.
One of the best attributes of the kit is the "goodies". To outfit the CV, Trumpeter included a bunch of extras in the form of stowage and figures. The instructions indicate three figures [one full and two partial], however a quick glance at the parts sprue shows four torsos and four heads, with three sets of legs. So it may be possible to get four figures for your Stryker with this kit. The figures are well sculpted with correct uniforms, including helmets with boom microphones. In addition to the figures, Trumpeter included two sprues of various packs and rolled tarps.
To compliment these plastic stowage parts, Trumpeter included several sheets of paper boxes [you have to cut them out and fold/glue them] representing MRE's, water, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi. To lash down the supplies, they also included self-adhesive tie-down straps. These can be used to secure the various stowage, however if you decide to model yours without stowage, the instructions do show how to roll and attach the straps correctly to the vehicle. Lastly, Trumpeter also included self-adhesive paper masks for the large windows in the driver's extended cupola.
This brings me to my only complaint with the kit; the lack of detail for the driver's compartment. A prominent feature on the CV, the driver's hatch is opened and a 180 degree viewing window is put in place. Made of a forward windshield with two side windows, even in 1/35 scale, these windows provide a good view into the driver's area of the vehicle. However on the kit, there is no detail at all. Not even a wall to block off the rest of the interior. Now, you could do some scratch building in this area, or wait for a pricey resin interior set, but if you are planning on using the figures provided, I recommend painting the interior black and using one of the figures as a driver to help block off the view inside the CV.
Conclusion
I have to say, having looked at and reviewed other Stryker kits [both from Trumpeter and other companies], I have to say this might be one of the best. The engineering is very nice, with easy to follow instructions and good crisp detail. With proper painting and weathering, this would combine to produce and excellent display model. However with the inclusion of figures, stowage, and other details such as straps, it seems Trumpeter has done all the work for the modeler in assembling everything needed to build a great little vignette. I have to commend Trumpeter on a hob well done and I truly hope they continue to add in little extras in future releases. [The Coke and Pepsi boxes are great.]. I highly recommend this kit to anyone looking to further their Stryker family, compliment their modern armor collection, or add that final detail to that Iraq War diorama. My sincere thanks to Stevens International for providing this kit for review, and to Internet Modeler for the opportunity to review this kit. Happy Modeling!!!