Review: QRF Stryker ICV

The heat wave has receded somewhat which means I can actually enter my work area again which means I can begin working through the rather large QRF order that arrived last week.
The first item on the block is the set of five Stryker ICVs.

Strykers are likely to be pretty important for Force On Force and Ambush Alley players as they are a major component of current US Army mechanized infantry and have been something of a fixture of combat in Iraq. Regardless of the problems and shortcomings of the real world Stryker, they are likely to feature frequently in most modern and near future wargames just as they will likely to continue as the Army's first tier APC.

As is usual for QRF's vehicles all components are white metal although there is less appearant flexability to these parts but that is likely down to the thickness of the parts relative to the generally thinner parts of the HMMWVs. Of the three of these that I have assembled so far none have shown any significant pitting as I have found on some of QRF's other large components. There seems to be a fairly consistent flash seam running along the mid point of the hull which is easily removed with a #11 and a fine file but must be done so carefully as it runs across several detailed sections. There is also a rather annoying plug section on the starboard side of the hull near the front of the sand channel racks; I found it easiest to cut away as much of it as I can with clippers and then cover it over with kneedite ("green stuff") stowage (visible on the vehicle on the right in the photo). Attaching the wheels to the hull is fairly easy and doesn't require much more than dry fitting and gluing.

Although it lacks the slat armor and ridiculous amounts of stowage frequently seen on current Strykers in the field the detailing is very good with clean edged hatches and the various protrusions. Scale seems good, especially compared to most 15mm figures in my collection; comparison with the other vehicles will have to wait until I can dig up the dimensions of their RL counterparts but they appear appropriately large next to most of the other AFVs I have.

The models are good, construction and assembly is fairly simple and the model offers a good base for a number of conversions. Given it's role in the US inventory and how iconic it has been in Iraq since 2003 most collections should be able to find space for at least one or two.

Weather delays

Probably for one of the first times ever there is a weather related delay in miniature painting and reviewing. The heatwave in the US this week (and in my area, the week before) has put a bit of a hold on my ability to work on miniatures (when super glue starts boiling in the bottle and paint dries as it pours it becomes very difficult to get much building or painting done).

I will also be attending a security conference this month which between preparations and attending will take up most of what would be my normal productive (miniatures) time. I do have a few items for my USCMC project ready to be written up so I will try to put up something so that I can keep semi regular updates going.

My latest QRF order arrived (cleverly packed in an old Purina box) containing what should be the last models required for the USA Stryker Platoon and the c.2003 USMC for Iraq. Once the weather abates I should have plenty to share.

The first completed squad. There will have to be a few changes though.
First on the list is figuring out how I'm going to mount 9 men in a pair of vehicles listed as accomodating 1+3. No matter what I can't find a way (outside of converting them to a Stryker unit) to fit them in less than two vehicles, (that requires one of the vehicles to be a transport HMMWV) and using three vehicles means that either the fire teams are broken up unevenly (and each vehicle possibly having a dedicated driver) or each fire team completely fills one M1025 each and the Squad Leader drives himself, which doesn't seem right.

Second matter is that of the sculpt I'm using for the SL himself. Though it isn't terribly appearant from the photo I think my chosen SL figure bears too much of a resemblance to Captain Dave 'Captain America' McGraw from HBO's series "Generation Kill". This leads me to think he might be better suited to scenarios where he can be placed as the leader of incompetent/demoralized contractors or weekend warriors awaiting rescue or relief (not intending to comment on anyone, more that it seems like there is always a group of badly led/supplied/trained troops or wannabes getting pinned down or lost when the main cast of a military drama program needs something heroic looking to do and the lasting impression I have of that character* is that he would be perfect for that role). The alternative I had selected from the QRF US Infantry Command set seems inappropriate now that I've painted him as well; the lack of a pack, the way his rifle is slung on his back and the way he is holding what looks like a compass and a dispatch case makes me think he is more suited to commissioned rank as well.


*I don't mean to cast any aspersions on the REAL Capt. Dave McGraw, I have never met the man and have no knowledge of him. The TV character based on him though makes me want to punch things though.

Stage 2, nearly done, only some clean-up work and a little adjustment to the wheel fit.
Progress photos follow.
Left and right side images showing the altered wheel wells with the stock turret.




Also, my order from Scale Creep shipped today so hopefully it will arrive in time for the weekend.

Stage 1 of the Cafferta modifications is complete. Here are a couple of shots of it in it's WIP state.

Here you can see how the wheel wells have been carved out to allow the wheels to be mounted further back on the chassis. I've made a form to help with the next step here of filling in the now unoccupied space. You can also wee how the pronounced protrusions near the middle of each side have been removed (in the original design I think they are intended to be lift ducts for it's hover mode, since this is going to be serving the USCMC I don't see that as being necessary).

I'll likely add some rivet/bolt heads to the edges of the blank areas from those removed ducts.

Here in the front view you can see more clearly the rebuilt starboard edge of the glacis and the cut out for the SAM/HIMAT launch bins.

The Khurasan Miniatures order arrived today and I have to say the casting quality is amazing. There are virtually no visible mold lines on the metal parts and the resin has hardly any flash or distortion. The fit between the resin and metal parts is fantastic as well, with each piece fitting snugly in place.

Now of course comes the question of what I will do with them. Obviously one way or another they will be serving as APCs for my USCMC platoon but, will I leave them as-is or will I do some conversion? If I do any conversion work, what will it be? I'm definitely considering some work on the wheels and wheel wells but should I stop there?
Hopefully I can figure that out this weekend.