Dragon Armor 1/72 AAVR7A1
| SUBJECT | Dragon Armor 1/72 M2A3 Bradley |
| MODEL #: | 60350 |
| PRICE: | About $20.00 MSRP |
| REVIEWER: | Scott Van Aken |
| NOTES: | Pre assembled and painted. |
| BACKGROUND |
The LVTP7, which entered the Marine Corps inventory in the early 1970s, was a quantum improvement over the short-ranged LVTP5 of the Vietnam era. Weighing in at 26 tons (23,991 kg) combat-loaded, and with a three-man crew, it can carry 25 Marines. With a road speed of 45 mph (72 km/h), it is also fully amphibious with water speeds up to 8 mph (13 km/h). It is not as heavily armed or armored as the Army's Bradley infantry fighting vehicle; on the other hand, the M2A1 Bradley carries only seven troop passengers. In 1985 the Marine Corps changed the designation of the LVTP7Al to AAV7Al -- amphibious assault vehicle -- representing a shift in emphasis away from the long-time LVT designation, meaning "landing vehicle, tracked." Without a change of a bolt or plate, the AAV7Al was to be more of an armored personnel carrier and less of a landing vehicle.
The AAVR7A1 (the subject of this model) is an armored assault amphibious full-tracked vehicle designed to recover similar or smaller size vehicles. It also carries basic maintenance equipment to provide field support maintenance to vehicles in the field.
Like Dragon's other full built offerings, this one has a cast hull with plastic parts attached to it. Basically it is the model kit on a metal hull. However, this one is fully painted and ready to display once the buyer attaches the crane section. Care needs to be taken when doing this as it is firmly held in the molded plastic container.
The painting is really first rate. Not only have they hit the colors and camo just right, but the model has been fully dry-brushed to bring out all the detailing. In all the effect is one of a superbly build model.| CONCLUSIONS |
Now I realize that not everyone reading this will find these to be something they'd like, but one never really knows. For one thing, they are reasonably priced when you consider that for about $5 more than the kit, you get a fully assembled and painted product.
February 2008
My thanks to www.dragonmodelsusa.com for the review kit. Get yours today at your local hobby shop or ask them to order it in for you.
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