Part 1: First Look

MSRP: $13.95 This kit combines an amphibious armored personnel carrier (AAV7A1) and an MK-154 "Mine Clearing Mine Charge" or MICLIC. Per my internet searches, I could find AAV7A1 pictures and MICLIC pictures, but I could not find any AAV7A1 MICLIC pictures. I'll be building this kit without direct references, but I will use the pictures I have of the individual items for reference and comparison. The kit comes with 157 parts: · 105 styrene parts (17 not used in the kit) · 22 "Dragon Styrene 100" parts (4 not used in the kit) · 30 photo etched brass parts (all appear to be used) The styrene and DS100 parts appear to be well molded with a lot of detail and very little flash. I've come to expect this sort of quality from the modern Dragon kits. The photo etched parts include 3 large screens that always look fantastic on small scale kits with the proper usage of paint. The kit has no decals and has recommendations for one 3-color green-brown-black paint scheme. This kit has no interior detail aside from the rear door. This may cause a problem. The deployed MICLIC in the directions appears to require both of the large top hatches of the APC to be open. Open hatches and no interior cause a dilemma for a model builder: 1. If the MICLIC is deployed, a person will be able to look inside a kit with no interior. I can either build an interior (not so easily done in a short amount of time) or blank off the interior with dark (or black) painted plastic. 2. Why build this kit with the MICLIC not deployed? I'm going to build the kit with the MICLIC deployed and the interior blanked off with black painted plastic. Aside from blanking the interior, the kit will be built out of box. I'll paint the kit per the kit directions. I'd like to thank Dragon and John Noack for the privilege of reviewing this kit. Initial work on the lower hull has revealed good fit and detail. Stay tuned for the full review in a few weeks.

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