PandaHobby 1/35 M-ATV MRAP with Crows II RWS

The Oshkosh M-ATV is an MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle developed by the Oshkosh Corporation of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is designed to provide the same levels of protection as the larger and heavier previous MRAPs but with improved mobility and it is intended to replace M1114 HMMWVs.

The M-ATV utilizes the MTVR chassis and TAK-4 suspension with the Plasan designed armored hull developed for the Northrop Grumman/Oshkosh JLTV. The V-shaped Plasan armored hull offers protection for the occupants from IED attacks while the centrally inflated run-flat tires allow the M-ATV to travel at least 30 miles at 30 mph even if two tires lose pressure. The vehicle can also take a 7.62 mm round to its engine oil/coolant/hydraulic system and continue to drive for at least one kilometer. The Tak-4 suspension is coil sprung and fully independent, and offers 16 inches of travel. The M-ATV's roof mounted turret is capable of mounting weapons such as a M240 machine gun, a Mk 19 grenade launcher, a 50 caliber machine gun, or a BGM-71 TOW anti-tank guided missile launcher. The roof weapons can be operated either from the turret by person or remotely inside the cabin with a CROWS remote weapon system. The M-ATV also features modern vehicle safety systems such as Traction control and anti-lock brakes in addition to modern creature comforts such as an HVAC system and power outlets for charging portable electronic devices. The vehicle weighs 13.5 tons empty and 16 tons loaded. This near half million dollar vehicle gets a bit over 300 miles per tank from its turbo diesel in-line six cylinder engine.

Originally one of five candidates down selected for the M-ATV (MRAP All Terrain Vehicle) program, the Oshkosh M-ATV was chosen on 30 June 2009 to be the sole winner of the contest. Oshkosh Corporation received an initial order for 2,244 vehicles in a contract worth US$1.06B.

According to the United States Marine Corps program officer for MRAP, Brigadier General Michael Brogan, the Oshkosh M-ATV was chosen because it had the best survivability and Oshkosh had the best technical and manufacturing capabilities of all the competitors. The Oshkosh bid was also the second cheapest. The first vehicles arrived in Afghanistan in October 2009 and all should be delivered by March 2010.

Additional contracts have increased M-ATVs orders to 8,108 as of September 2010. With the US pulling out of both Iraq and Afghanistan in terms of combat, whatever vehicles have been built will either be turned over the the respective armies or given to local police in the US as the US Army feels the type is a dead end and will not be useful anywhere else. We'll see.

 It has been nearly three years since Panda Hobby released the first version of this kit and apparently it has been a good seller as they have done another boxing. The level of detail in this one as in previous boxings is excellent, and provides the sort of look that one expects from modern kits.

In line with those kits, this one is a curbside, with no upper engine detail, however, it does provide an exquisitely detailed chassis including a complete drive line that offers the huge transfer case that is typical of these vehicles.  The coil springs are in two parts so you will need to break out the files to remove the seam when attaching the parts. Of course, these may be near invisible when the kit is done.

It comes with a full interior that includes the radio racks, all the appropriate pedals and seats. Decals are used for the instruments. The clear bits are properly thick as you would expect from armored glass. Doors are separate and apparently can only be installed in the closed position, though I am sure that there will be modelers who will figure a work around on this. The difference in this kit compared to the others is the CROWS II RWS. This is most visible in the upper roof armament and the additional antennas. This system allows the gunner to stay in the vehicle where he will be more protected from incoming fire.

As you can see from the image of the photo etch frets, this suite is rather extensive and covers pretty much every part of the build including the front hoist and the 'sniffer' that rides front and center of the vehicle. All of this rides on four one-piece vinyl tires.

Instructions consist of 24 very detailed construction steps in Panda's usual booklet form. There is no build color guide so you are on your own in determining interior and underside colors. There is a full color painting and decal guide under the box art image in the bottom of the box. Again, no color information is provided as to shades, which I find rather odd for any model kit.

 Aside from the color glitch, this is an excellent kit. The Internet should provide you the color information you need to build this one. Due to all the photo etch and the small parts, I would only recommend this for the more experienced modeler. However you go about it, this will turn out to be a superb model.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshkosh_M-ATV

November 2014 

Thanks to Panda Hobby via Glen for the preview kit. This kit either is or will soon be in your local stores so pick one up if want it as it seems to sell out rather quickly.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contactme or see other details in the Note toContributors.

Back to the Main Page

Back to the Previews Index Page