In Box Review of AMT-Ertl 1/35th Scale
General Motors LAV-AT
Anti-tank Vehicle
Kit no. 8673
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1989
Out of production
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1989
Out of production
HISTORY:
The LAV-25 (Light Armored Vehicle) is an eight-wheeled amphibious armored reconnaissance vehicle built by General Dynamics Land Systems and used by the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Armored reconnaissance vehicle
Place of origin: Canada/United States
In service: 1983–present
Wars: United States invasion of Panama, Gulf War, Operation Uphold Democracy, War in Afghanistan (2001–present), Iraq War
Designer: General Dynamics Land Systems
Manufacturer: General Dynamics Land systems
Mass: 12.80 tonnes (12.60 long tons; 14.11 short tons)
Length: 6.39 m (21 ft 0 in)
Width: 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in)
Height: 2.69 m (8 ft 10 in)
Crew: 3+6
Armor: Welded steel
Main armament: M242 Bushmaster 25mm chain gun with 210 rounds of ammunition
Secondary armament: Two M240 7.62 mm machine guns with 660 rounds of ammunition, one mounted coaxially and one pintle-mounted on the roof
Engine: Detroit Diesel 6V53T of 300 hp (205 kW)
Power/weight: 19.5 hp/sh tn (16.0 kW/t)
Transmission: Allison MT653
Suspension: 8×8 wheeled
Operational range: 660 km (410 mi)
Maximum speed: 100 km/h (62 mph)
The LAV-25 (Light Armored Vehicle) is an eight-wheeled amphibious armored reconnaissance vehicle built by General Dynamics Land Systems and used by the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Armored reconnaissance vehicle
Place of origin: Canada/United States
In service: 1983–present
Wars: United States invasion of Panama, Gulf War, Operation Uphold Democracy, War in Afghanistan (2001–present), Iraq War
Designer: General Dynamics Land Systems
Manufacturer: General Dynamics Land systems
Mass: 12.80 tonnes (12.60 long tons; 14.11 short tons)
Length: 6.39 m (21 ft 0 in)
Width: 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in)
Height: 2.69 m (8 ft 10 in)
Crew: 3+6
Armor: Welded steel
Main armament: M242 Bushmaster 25mm chain gun with 210 rounds of ammunition
Secondary armament: Two M240 7.62 mm machine guns with 660 rounds of ammunition, one mounted coaxially and one pintle-mounted on the roof
Engine: Detroit Diesel 6V53T of 300 hp (205 kW)
Power/weight: 19.5 hp/sh tn (16.0 kW/t)
Transmission: Allison MT653
Suspension: 8×8 wheeled
Operational range: 660 km (410 mi)
Maximum speed: 100 km/h (62 mph)
THE KIT:
Ertl was based in Dyersville, IA. Originally they only produced metal farm toys, tractors, plows etc. Later they did a few plastic model kits like this one. They were associated with AMT. I think both companies are now out of business.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of the LAV-AT in a wave pattern camouflage of tan, olive green and brown, with no markings shown. It is moving through sand, possibly in a desert and it is firing the rocket launcher on its roof.
One side panel of the box shows a color photo of the model made up in the cover art scheme, followed by the history of the LAV-AT in English and French, with Ertl’s address in Dyersville, IA and their office address in Ontario, Canada. Kit made, printed and packaged in the USA.
Ertl was based in Dyersville, IA. Originally they only produced metal farm toys, tractors, plows etc. Later they did a few plastic model kits like this one. They were associated with AMT. I think both companies are now out of business.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of the LAV-AT in a wave pattern camouflage of tan, olive green and brown, with no markings shown. It is moving through sand, possibly in a desert and it is firing the rocket launcher on its roof.
One side panel of the box shows a color photo of the model made up in the cover art scheme, followed by the history of the LAV-AT in English and French, with Ertl’s address in Dyersville, IA and their office address in Ontario, Canada. Kit made, printed and packaged in the USA.
The other side panel begins with features of the kit:
Detailed armament. Accurate suspension. Authentic decals and detailed assembly instructions. Over 165 parts. Paint and cement not included. In French and English. Followed by 4 color walk-around type photos of the model made up in the box art scheme.
Detailed armament. Accurate suspension. Authentic decals and detailed assembly instructions. Over 165 parts. Paint and cement not included. In French and English. Followed by 4 color walk-around type photos of the model made up in the box art scheme.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 3 tan parts trees and the decal sheet in one sealed in 2 clear cello bags and the instructions.
The instructions consists of a single-sheet, that accordion-folds out into 6 pages in 7 ½” x 17 ½” page format, folded twice again to fit the box.
Page 1 begins with a black and white illustration of the LAV-AT in the box art scheme, surrounded by 3 infantrymen.
Next is the history of the LAV 25-AT, steps to follow, illustration of tools to use and a WARNING in English and French.
Page 2 through to the tops of pages 5-6 shows 5 assembly steps.
Across the bottoms of pages 5-6 are painting and marking guides.
Page 5 shows a side, front and rear view in the box art scheme. You can further add your choice of one of the black star to the nose and your choice of one of the stenciled black serial numbers to the sides and the left rear door.
The choices are:
USMC 521594
USMC 521566
USMC 523048
Trees are alphabetized, but not illustrated in the instructions. They do have part number tabs next to the parts on them.
Tan letter A tree holds: the hull sides and bottom and wheels. (18 parts)
The kit holds 3 tan parts trees and the decal sheet in one sealed in 2 clear cello bags and the instructions.
The instructions consists of a single-sheet, that accordion-folds out into 6 pages in 7 ½” x 17 ½” page format, folded twice again to fit the box.
Page 1 begins with a black and white illustration of the LAV-AT in the box art scheme, surrounded by 3 infantrymen.
Next is the history of the LAV 25-AT, steps to follow, illustration of tools to use and a WARNING in English and French.
Page 2 through to the tops of pages 5-6 shows 5 assembly steps.
Across the bottoms of pages 5-6 are painting and marking guides.
Page 5 shows a side, front and rear view in the box art scheme. You can further add your choice of one of the black star to the nose and your choice of one of the stenciled black serial numbers to the sides and the left rear door.
The choices are:
USMC 521594
USMC 521566
USMC 523048
Trees are alphabetized, but not illustrated in the instructions. They do have part number tabs next to the parts on them.
Tan letter A tree holds: the hull sides and bottom and wheels. (18 parts)
Tan letter B tree holds: the hull nose bottom panel, propellers, axles, suspension parts. Machine gun, head lights, jerry can, muffler, rear hull wall, hatch lids, rudders, bogies etc. (108 parts)
Tan letter C tree holds: the hull roof, rocket launcher parts etc. (45 parts)
There are no clear parts or crew figures included.
There are no clear parts or crew figures included.
There is a yellow postcard in the kit that was to use to subscribe to Ertl’s “BLUEPRINTER” news-letter, now defunct.
The decal sheet completes the kit's contents.
I added a copy of the history of the LAV off the Wikipedia site.
Detail is great externally. There are no interior details.
Detail is great externally. There are no interior details.
Recommended.