GHQ Models Forums

I just received my first set of LAV 25's from my black Friday purchase. I was shocked, as to the size difference between the LAV 25 and the STRYKER. Are my eyes deceiving me or does the LAV 25 look like some one left it in the dryer too long....

The Stryker is about a foot longer, just under a foot wider, and about the same height (top of machinegun/top of turret). I don't have both so can't compare the models visually.

bilb, thanks for your response.

I looked up the dimensions and saw the same thing. Its just when they are side by side they look tiny. Maybe I will post a picture later tonight. Being an engineer, one would think I would be all over getting out the calipers and measuring them to see if they match up. Do the scale conversion tonight and measure them. The LAV just looks so tiny.

scope creep. The Puma for the Germans is in the same boat. It is a monster when you compare other vehicles next to it but it uses the same hull as the Leo II. I imagine some of the vehicles are easier to create a tad bit larger so they can capture more of the details.

paul wrote:it uses the same hull as the Leo II.

That is interesting. I don't recall seeing that in any of the literature. Do you have a website?

Looks like there is a lot of add-on armor on the Puma, so it would be hard to tell.

Don't LAV and Stryker share the same chassis?

Hey Paul,

I think it might have been Wikipedia but it could have been another site. It made sense due to the number of Leo's removed from service.

panzergator wrote:Looks like there is a lot of add-on armor on the Puma, so it would be hard to tell.

Don't LAV and Stryker share the same chassis?

No

Hmmm. Never saw anything about it in my books on the Leopard. I'll have to check publication dates. Might need to update the library.

So, I broke out my trusty calipers and found that the STRYKER appears to be a little wider and longer than it should be. The height is close to what it should be. If I am using my calipers right and making the conversions right, the LAV 25 appears to be close to all its dimensions. Maybe a tad smaller. I took these quick but will take better measurements an post them.

When the Stryker came out there was a lot of discussion about its size. It being too large as a AIFV, the size of a SCHOOL BUS. There were pictures of it next to a yellow school bus, it was not quite as large.
The LAV is amphib. while the Stryker, well don't try it unless you have dive tanks with you. The Stryker has rolled and the push it upright again being to large and top heavy. Then put the fence around it, quite wide, but helps to defeat ATGM/HEAT rounds. Stryker carries more people in the dismount and has thick sides and armor.
Chris

Paul,

I looked at Wikipedia and it did not mention the hull being from a Leo but it does mention mobility and armor protection so it could be I misread that section. Since it is suppose to be comparable to the Bradley even with the armor add-on it is just to big. It is a nice model but out of scale.

Paul,

Looking into this a bit more I found that, according to the army-technology website, the chassis was developed by Rheinmetall as a new design. Krauss-Maffei Wegman, makers of the Leopard series, did the turret. But yes, until I can find photos of it side by side with other vehicles my opinion is the model is too big.

The only thing that Puma and Leo II may have in common arethe dimensions.Or better length and width asthe Puma is more then 2 feet hogher.

Moreover the Puma has 6 road wheels while the Leo hasseven of them. This is due to the largely different weight (the PUma weights about half the Leo II.

The layouts are completely differnt. Puma has a 1000HP engine in front agianst a 1500HP in the rear of Leo II.

Lav25 vs Stryker are two different designs.

Same idea, fit, form and function but there was a clear new page redesign along the way.
As I understand, it is all Mowag design, not GM Canada.
I have been in both and it looks like.
Mowag 1 (Piranha) = Lav25, AVGP (6x6 + 8x8)
Mowag 2 = Lav 2, ASLAV, Bison/Coyote, (most 8x8 but some 6x6 in Europe)

Major change, gone is the v shape boat front for new bigger flat front design. much bigger all round APC.
Mowag 3 = Lav 3, Stryker, NZLav etc.
Mowag 4 and 5 are all based on the new bigger Mowag 3.

Think like Dodge Dakota vs Ram 1500.