Black Ops Models - Full Bar Armor Kit Conversion Kit 1/35 for AFV Club Stryker M1126 ICV kit - AF35126

This is the first AMPS review for a relatively new company, Black Ops Models.  Founded in 2013, Black Ops Models, based out of Sydney, Australia, specializes in modern military scale modelling.  Their growing range of products include conversion kits and full kits for helicopters, drones, boats, vehicles, and equipment with a strong focus on subjects from recent conflicts in the Middle East and select pieces from the Vietnam era.  In addition to their core kits, Black Ops Model has recently expanded their range to include diorama parts and accessories. 

Black Ops Models originally started with scratch-built models, silicone molds, and traditional resin casting, before embracing their current product lines made from advanced 3D design and resin printing technology. 

Modeling Slat Armor in 1/35 Scale.  Until now, armor enthusiasts had limited options for adding slat armor to their builds.  For the Stryker family of vehicles, this included scratch-building the spaced armor, mounting brackets and slat armor panels, or purchasing one of a few after-market photo-etch (PE) detail sets for either the AFV Club or Trumpeter Stryker kits.  These PE sets are highly detailed and require advanced modeling skills to bend the flat PE parts into the correct shapes for mounting brackets and slat armor panels.  This work was demanding for time, patience and skill.   

The arrival of the Black Ops Models 3D printed Stryker slat armor package greatly simplifies the model building challenge while preserving a high level of detail and accuracy.  Before we jump into the first look review, let’s talk about slat armor.  What exactly is this and is it new? 

What is Slat armor?  Slat armor, also known as bar armor, cage armor, and standoff armor, is a type of vehicle armor designed to protect against shaped charge munitions common to rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds. 

Slat armor takes the form of a rigid slatted metal grid fitted around key sections of the vehicle, which disrupts the shaped charge of the warhead by either crushing it, preventing optimal detonation from occurring, or by damaging the fusing mechanism, preventing detonation outright.

Slat armor is not a new development.  The concept of using a stand-off barrier away from the main hull armor to defeat high explosive shaped charge munitions traces back to World War II with the German use of Drahtgeflecht-Schürzen ("wire mesh aprons") and later the steel plate Schürzen or armored skirts from March 1943 onward.  Similarly, the Soviet Red Army tanks, when faced with the Panzerfaust, were outfitted with "bedspring" armor made from expanded metal mesh grating panels.

The development and use of stand-off armor continued through the Cold War and Vietnam era and into modern eras.  Today’s slat armor that many are familiar with started in 2005 – 2006 with the Israeli IDF outfitting their Caterpillar D9R armored bulldozers with full surround slat armor panels.  Later, the IDF expanded the use of slat armor to other IDF AFVs. 

Around the same time, the U.S. Army proposed adding slat armor for the M1126 Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) to protect the vehicle from RPGs.  On the Stryker, the slat armor is mounted on a frame 50 cm distant from the hull, allowing an RPG or HEAT warhead to detonate before hitting the main armor.  Soon thereafter, slat armor was outfitted to other Stryker variants, other U.S. AFVs, and many coalition AFVs in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most recently, in the Russian war of aggression against the Ukraine, slat armor is witnessed on both Russian and Ukrainian AFVs, with both sides adapting slat armor to counter top-down attacks from UAV's. 

Opening the box.  My initial impression was “this kit is loaded!”  The set arrives in two study flip top boxes, each carefully packed with foam peanuts and the subassemblies wrapped in foam sheets.  Black Ops Models had an labeling error on the first shipments of this kit.  The original box label and instructions booklet was marked as designed for the Trumpeter Stryker kit.  That error has been corrected and the corrective notices sent to all buyers.  This slat armor upgrade set is designed for the AFV Club Stryker M1126 8x8 ICV (AF35126).  

The parts are connected to their printing tray with foam wedges separating adjacent parts for increased protection.  The packing was effective and survived the international postal handling from Sydney to Pittsburgh without damage. 

This set contents include:

1. Additional Armor Plates

• Right & Left Front Panels
• Right & Left Rear Panels
• Left Side Basket
• Left & Right Side Slat Armor Mesh2.

2. Weighted Stryker Wheels

• 4 x Weighted Tires with Hub Guards
• 4 x Weighted Tires without Hub Guards
• 2 x Spare Tires (Unweighted)
• 2 x Paint Masks

3. Slat Armor Panels

• Full Coverage for Front, Rear, and Sides
• Angled Panels for Enhanced Detail
• Lower Slat Armor for Front and Rear Sections
• Stowed Heavy Tow Bar

4. Slat Armor Mounting Brackets

• Rear Assembly (Left & Right)
• Front and Side Hatch Mounting Brackets
• 30 Unique Configurations for Precision Mounting

5. Blast Panels

• Complete Set for Front, Rear, and Sides
• Open and Closed Rear Blast Panel Options with Hinged Doors
• Headlight and MG Mounts Included

6. Accessories

• Coolers, Jerry Cans, Traffic Cones, Oil Containers, Gas Bottles
• Ratchet Straps and Hooks
• Ammo Boxes (12 in 3 Designs) and 50 Cal MG Options
• Exhaust Cover, Aerial Bases, and More

 7. Instruction booklet 

General impressions.  This is an impressive upgrade set.  All the parts are 3D printed with a high-resolution printer.  I don’t see any of the 3D printing layering lines common in lesser quality printers.  All the parts remain connected to their print tray with dozens of fine connection points.  These connections points separate easily from the parts with gentle twisting or snipping.  Once free, the parts require minimal clean up. 

Detail observations.    

·       Weighted Tires.  The set includes 10 tires and wheels, of which 8 are weighted for fitting to the suspension, and the other 2 are for stowage.  The tires are well done with the MICHELIN brand markings and tire size clearly visible as raised text, well produced rubber ridges and deep tread.  The weighted tires have flat bottoms with slightly flared rubber tires for realism. 

·       Wheel masks.  Black Ops also created a 3D printed wheel painting mask that inserts into the tires.  It’s a nice touch that can simplify painting them separately.  

·       Additional Armor Plates.  To counter the increased shaped charge threat from RPGs and HEAT rounds, additional armor plates were added to the Stryker hull.          Black Ops Models depict these panels extremely well, with ingenious mounting brackets that snap into existing spaces on the AFV Club hull. 

·       Slat Armor Panels.  The 3D printed slat armor panels are printed in complete panels with mounting brackets already in place.  The panels, mounting hardware and anchoring bolts are crisp with great detail.  No visible printing lines.  The slats measure about 0.5mm which equals 0.68” in 1:1 scale.  If I remember correctly, this is close enough considering the tradeoff between realistic scale and durable parts.  The 3D printed slats are thicker than the PE versions (which were too thin).  This is a modelers choice on which is better.  I’ll go with the 3D printed slats. 

·       Wire Mesh Cutting Template.  Another great tool for the modeler is the Cutting template for the mesh screen located at the top left and right rear spaces between the slat armor and the Stryker hull.  The wire mesh is included as a 3D printed item as well. Just cut to fit.  Another excellent touch that modelers will appreciate. 

·       Slat Armor Mounting Brackets.  Black Ops Models provides the top and angled mounting bracket arms to connect the slat armor panels to the Stryker hull and additional armor.  These appear to be of the same quality as the rest of the set. 

·       Blast Panels.  These blast panels mount to the top outer edges of the Stryker’s hull to deflect blast forces away from the upper deck area. 

·       Accessories.  It is the little things that impress, and this set is loaded with little things.  The finer details in this set continue with a wide range of fantastic accessory items included in the set.  Here are a few observations:

o   Fuel and Water cans. The cans are crisply molded with great detail including the words WATER and FUEL embossed on the jerry cans and the connecting straps on the water and fuel can lids. 

o   Plastic oil or hydraulic fluid jug. Another nice “eye candy” accessory is the plastic fluid jug.  Once again, this is nicely printed and just needs the appropriate label to complete the look.   

o    Drip pan.  The drip pan is highly detailed with the rubber molded edges, handles, pour spout, and end covers.  The only detail missing is the optional chain and the smell of engine fluids. 

o   Propane tank.  A nicely detailed propane fuel tank is included, complete with hose adapter fittings already in place. 

o   Insulated beverage container. “Rubbermaid” logo on the water cooler. 

o   Insulated chest. A civilian styled cooler chest in provided.  It closely resembles the Igloo or Coleman style chest commonly seen on tactical and AFV vehicles in warmer climates.  This chest is very well done, without any brand markings visible.   

o   Tie Downs.  One of the many details that caught my attention is the hundreds of tie downs on the side baskets.  Each tie down is printed like real life with a gap between the tie down bar and the side of the basket.  This allows modelers to insert straps for connecting stowage to the vehicle.  This is an awesome detail for added realism when hanging stowage or securing the deck stowage with straps. 

o   Ratchets (in two sizes). Speaking of straps, the kit includes 6 ratchets that a modeler can assemble in “closed” or “open” position, just add your own straps.  A smaller ratchet is included too for securing the pioneer tools in their frame. 

o   Tow Bar. The set provides medium duty tow bar in the folded position. The hinges and connectors show great detail on both ends of the bar.  

o   Exhaust cover.  The exhaust cover plate includes the wire mesh side panel that I have not seen outside of PE sets.  Extremely fine details. 

o   Antenna base and mounts. 8 antenna bases are provided in different configurations.  Four of the 8 antennas include the mount, and the other 4 are the antenna base alone.  Half of the antennas are straight and the other 4 slightly bent for antennas under tension.  All the antennas resemble the AS-3900 antenna base for the SINCGARS family of radios.  Once again, this set has incredible detail with clearly depicted wire coils on the base, and the tops look pre-drilled ready to accept antennas. 

o   Large and small traffic cones.  6 traffic cones are provided (3 large and 3 small).  These cones appear to be hollow for stacking and show attention to detail in the molding with visible seams connecting the cone to base.  Awesome details.   

o   M2 Heavy Machine Guns and separate barrels. Includes 2 M2 heavy machine gun (HMG) receivers with handles attached, and 5 different M2 barrels (One of the basic M2 HMG barrels, one with a quick-change handle, one with a flared flash suppressor, one fitted with a blank adapter, and one of the newer M2A1 HMB barrel with slotted flash suppressor).  All are accentuated with exquisite details.

o   Ammunition boxes. 10 ammunition cans, with 5 can handles raised up on one end, and the other handles all lying flat atop the cans.   Two additional ammunitions cans are included with open tops and .50 caliber belt ammunition hanging over the end.

o   Linked ammunition belt.  The set includes a short length of flexible resin .50cal linked ammunition belt measuring 2.5mm long.

o   Horn.  Black Ops even added the Stryker driver’s horn in the kit.  This is a small detail omitted from the AFV Club kit yet is commonly seen on the Stryker’s front left side quarter panel.  Get out of the way, Stryker coming through.      

o   Hatch Internal mechanisms.  The Troop hatch internal mechanisms are provided for adventurous modelers to position the hatches open with increased realism. (don’t forget the interior or figures in the hatch spaces).

·       The instruction booklet.  The instructions include 24 pages with 16 assembly steps loaded with color photos and the Black Ops Models parts cross referenced to the AFV Club M1126 Stryker ICV instruction part numbers.  Unlike traditional injection molded kits, the parts are not assigned individual numbers and are not labeled on the resin connectors.  Instead, the parts are printed as sub-assemblies or individual parts, with each assigned an alpha-numeric code in the instruction booklet.    

Final Thoughts.  This is a truly impressive kit that will create a captivating build for one (or more) Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles.  The superior 3D print quality and superb attention to detail are all excellent.  Having all of the items printed as components or stand alone items that are ready to install on the AFV Club Stryker should make assembly much simpler than it's PE Slat armor forerunners.  As a side note, Black Ops Models may produce additional Slat Armor detail sets for other Stryker variants in the future.  Let’s hope so!

Enough for now, on to the build.

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders.

Thanks goes out to Black Ops Models for this review kit.

Reviewed by Brian Eberle

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