Trumpeter 1/35 scale M1117 Guardian ASV
Designed by Cadillac Gage, makers of the M706 of Vietnam service, the M1117 provides patrolling troops more protection than up-armored Humvees.
During the early days of the Iraq War, the vulnerabilities of Humvees for convoy security quickly demonstrated they were not designed for this role. A different vehicle was needed to withstand the threats to such patrols. Enter the Guardian Armored Security Vehicle.
Trumpeter’s M1117 ASV is the first time this vehicle has been modeled in 1/35 scale. The numerous parts (363 total) are flash-free and crisp, and the molded non-skid surface detail is especially impressive. Vinyl Michelin run-flat tires are provided, and two photoetched-metal frets are included. Clear parts, separately bagged, are crystal-clear and scratch-free. Instructions feature a parts-tree breakdown, a color paint and decal guide, and 10 pages with 14 easy-to-follow steps.
Construction begins with the independent suspension, essential for all four tires to stand firmly on the ground. Fit of the parts is perfect if take care during assembly to be sure everything is correct.
Assembly of the crew compartment comes next. All of the armor slabs are added to the body separately. I was amazed at how well each of these fit; there were no gaps between the slabs. Unfortunately, no interior detail was included (hopefully, an aftermarket set will become available). The photoetched-metal grille at the top of the crew compartment is an optional part; I recommend it, as it really stands out. The taillight assemblies were a bit tricky; follow the instructions closely and check your reference photos for proper location.
Turret assembly is easy and straightforward, the bulletproof glass pieces fit snugly, and the M2 Browning machine gun and Mk.19 grenade gun look lethal. The turret swivels and the weapons move up and down, so you can pose them as you wish.
To help break up the monotone paint scheme, I pre-shaded panel lines with Tamiya gloss black decanted from a spray can before applying an overall coat of Model Master U.S. Army/Marines sand. Tamiya pastels dirtied the tires appropriately.
All of my reference photos showed M117s with a radio antenna sticking up from the rear of the vehicle. I replicated this by adding a light-gauge guitar string and used green thread to hold it down.
My Guardian took 18 hours to complete, far less than what I had anticipated when opening the box. With the excellent parts fit and such easy instructions, Trumpeter’s M1117 would be a perfect choice for anyone who’s built a kit or two. Highly recommended!