E.T. Model

USMC AAVP7A1

This appears to be a very extensive detail set for the US Marine Corps' AAVP7A1 Amphibious Assault Vehicle. The intended base kit is Dragon kit number 7233, AAVP-7A1 RAM/RS w/EAAK.
(See the OTW preview of the Dragon 7233 kit here).

Inside the package you get two frets of etched brass and another in some sort of silver coloured metal that I can not determine. There is a comprehensive set of instructions. Etchings are first rate with the engine screens being particularly fine. The etched parts are intended to replace a variety of the original plastic parts and etched parts organic to the Dragon kit. These range from such things as the stowage bins on the sides, fenders, straps for stowage boxes, hatch covers, hinges, trim vane, screens and so forth. For some items such as the handles, the modeller will have to trim off the original molded on plastic versions before fitting the ET Model replacements. Some wire pieces are also needed and these will have to be supplied by the modeller though the required lengths and diameters are stated on the instruction sheet. The instructions also provide the original kit part number (where applicable) to which the etched pieces are to be applied.
(To see an online image of the kit instructions visit Henk of Holland's web site here.)

I have not personally seen the Dragon kit but from photographs of built up models I've found on the web many of ET Model parts will be a great improvement over the kit's plastic pieces, for example the trim vane, though some may find the rather one dimensional aspect of the etchings, such as the stowage racks, not to their liking. It goes without saying that a deft touch will be needed to avoid damaging some of the smaller, more fragile parts.

Thanks to John Wreford of Cove Models Ltd. (UK) for this review sample.

Article Last Updated: 30 April 2010