Trumpeter's 1/35 LAV-C2
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LAV-C2
The LAV-C2 primary function, in the United State Marine Corps, is a mobile command station providing field commanders with all necessary resources to control and coordinate light armored units in all assigned roles. The LAV-C2 is an all-terrain, all-weather vehicle with night capabilities. It is air transportable via C-130, C-141, C-5 and CH-53 E. When combat loaded there are 200 ready rounds and 800 stowed rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. There are 8 ready rounds and 8 stowed rounds of smoke grenades. The vehicle can be made fully amphibious within 3 minutes. There are 50 in USMC inventory to date.
The Kit
Trumpeter's
colorful box art depicts an LAV-C2 in recon action. There is also pictures
of the actual built model on the side panel. Inside the corrugated box
you will see the kit is well-packaged with a separate compartments containing
the tires, upper and lower hull pieces. Multiple sealed bags containing
five part sprues molded in a soft light gray styrene. Visual
inspection shows that there are no sink marks or flash. The injector pin
marks are on the inside 
surface
of major parts otherwise they are found on the sprue racks. Part detail
is very crisp and to scale. There are two small sealed bags containing
decals, eight hollow black vinyl tires and a fret of brass photo-etch
(PE). The ten-page instruction booklet
(Chinese/English) is very well illustrated. To assist in assembly there
is a symbol legend for gluing, painting, drilling, etc. Included is a
numbered parts location diagram. Be aware that there is also a list of
unused parts at the bottom of the part location diagram.
You
begin assembly by mating all four gearbox axles and front shocks to the
lower hull along with drive shaft connections in step 1. You continue
suspension assembly in steps 2-4 by mating tie rods, shocks, upper and
lower front suspension. Of note, here you will add the amphibious propeller
systems as well. The whole suspension system of this LAV-C2 is very nice
and to scale. In step 5, you complete the hub and tire assembly. The hollow
black vinyl tires are nicely detail 
with
realistic tread pattern. The two-part hubs have nice lug nut details.
Step 6 will have you mount your finished wheels to the lower hull and
suspension. You will start the upper hull assembly in step 7. All hatches
can be left open or closed if you choose to have figures crewing your
model or perhaps add an after-market engine compartment. Upper hull detail
includes front hatches, lifting eyes, antenna bases and handles. Step
8 continues upper hull detailing with driver's periscope 
guard,
rear hatches, lifting eyes and tool stowage. The assemblies for headlights,
side mirrors and jerry cans are completed in steps 9-11. I would suggest
drilling out the molded lights and replacing them with MV lenses for added
realism. Step 12-14 finish the upper hull detailing with the headlights
assemblies and Jerry cans mounted on the hull along with grenade launchers,
machine gun mounts, PE vent screens, muffler, antenna bases and other
handles / lifting eyes. 
The
rear panel and doors are assembled in steps 15 and 16 with added tool
stowage and handles. The finished rear panel is mated to the finished
lower hull in step 17. Steps 18 and 19 finish the assembly of your LAV-C2
with the upper hull mated to the lower hull.
Included in this kit is a very well illustrated painting and marking guide
for the painting and placement of decals on your LAV-C2. The guide has
a paint reference for Mr. Hobby colors.
The paint scheme of choice is a three-color camouflage. The one-color
(black) decal sheet is nicely done and the USMC markings are well registered
and thin. There does not appear to be any unit markings on this decal
sheet.
Conclusion
The overall quality of this kit is excellent, typical of 1/35 AFV kits from Trumpeter. I give this kit two thumbs up. A modeler of modern U.S. armored fighting vehicles would find this kit an enjoyable to build. I would like to thank Stevens International for the review kit.
