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| Subject: | 1/35 Future Combat System Model? Un-buh-lee-vable! |  |
| Date: | May 1, 2004 |
| From: | Peter Ong | |
I just thought I'd share this information in case any ultra-modern modeler comes up with the same crazy idea I have (now becoming more of a "had").
Rant and ramble ON.
In my quest to build some prototype Future Combat System (FCS) concept model, I found a disturbing aspect about the current market of 1/35 AFV kits; and that is, "Try as hard as you may, you're outta luck!"
The United Defense and General Dynamics Land System's websites show neat FCS CGI 3-D mockups. These AFVs look simple enough because they're wedge (M113-shaped) and have huge skirts. But when I take these reference photos to the hobby shop, not one of the AFV kits comes ANYwhere close to a simple wedge with smooth skirts, not one.
Now that's a no-brainer, which means I have to scratchbuild a lot. Now come the brain-numbing factors...
The M113's frontal slope isn't raked enough. The Bradley and Warrior do have the proper roadwheel configurations, but are quite tall (ever see a real M2? They're indeed quite tall. And would you like to blow ~$30 USD on a nice M2 or Warrior kit just to use the lower hull? I'd rather make these kits OotB instead). The M1, Paladin, PZH2000, and Leopard 2 do have seven roadwheels, although they're so wide they'll never fit in a C-130. The M551 can fit in the C-130, but only contains five roadwheels per side. The FCS concepts contain seven roadwheels per side and fit in a C-130. None of the existing models have the proper upper hull configuration as the FCS.
In fact, the only chassis that appear close to the FCS configuration don't come in a 1/35 kit! The CV90, MRAV, Piranha IV, and Dardo IFV have nice raked frontal hulls, quasi-similar skirts and the proper number of wheels, but no one makes them yet.
The only market contenders I found are the Heller Leclerc and Marder IA3 (although both a bit large, yes). They have nice skirts, a terrific raked front, and the proper number of roadwheels. However, after reading reviews (not to mention I built the R/G Marder 1A3), I don't desire to sink any money into these kits.
Granted, the FCS concept hasn't been finalized yet so any design may suffice. Nonetheless, I never thought it would be so hard to find a 1/35 kit with a simple steeply raked frontal arc and headlights flush in the front of the hull (and not on top like the M2, nor attached like the Paladin).
I just hope my folly pursuit to build a FCS model doesn't reflect how the U.S. Army is going with this FCS idea. I could sink a lot of money buying kits to build the lower hull just to make a FCS that looks as simple as a wedge box with flat sides...wow!
So if anyone wishes to pursue such a modeling idea, good luck ;-).
Rant and ramble OFF.
Pete |
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