M1126 Stryker - Small Scale Stryker
You know that feeling when you get to the end of a complex, detailed build and you are looking for something quick and easy to give you that hit of satisfaction only a finished model can ? Well, that is the situation I recently found myself after my last build. I was suffering a little model fatigue and needed something that wouldn’t fight me and would go together smoothly. The idea being I could get the construction done quickly and get to the joyful part of painting and weathering to give me that sense of accomplishment and motivation to kick start into the next project (whatever that may be).
Inspiration came when I saw the 1/72 Academy kit of the M1126 Stryker and a bonus resin stowage set from Legend included in the box. The price was right, it had wheels as opposed to tracks and the part count was low. I generally tend to steer clear of modern subjects for no good reason other than habit…so this would be a nice re-introduction to the small scale and soft entry into the genre.
Hello, World!
A Brief History…
The concept for the Stryker was born in the late 90’s through the need for the US Military to develop a vehicle better equipped to operate effectively in the post-cold war environment. It was thought that a solution was needed to reduce the reliance on the tracked vehicles such as the M113A2 and the M2 Bradley as well and the HMMVW for troop deployment. The US Army Chief of Staff urged the army to adopt a flexible doctrine for quick, multi-mission deployment, by using a modular vehicle that could be tailored for a variety of operations in short notice. The vehicle had to be reasonably mobile, light and easy to deploy.
After a number of options were investigated without success when the combined team of General Motors and General Dynamics were granted an $8 billion contract to produce a vehicle based around the Canadian LAV III.
Designs for the vehicle progressed quickly and would later go on to see General Dynamics go on to produce over 5000 units.
The Stryker is available in ten variants, including infantry carrier vehicle, commander’s vehicle, medical evacuation vehicle, fire support vehicle, engineer squad vehicle, anti-tank guided missile carrier, mortar carrier, reconnaissance vehicle, mobile gun system, and nuclear, biological and chemical reconnaissance (NBCR) vehicle.
Interestingly, the Stryker is the first new military vehicle to enter service into the US Army since the Abrams tank.
The Stryker has seen active service in Iraq and Afghanistan and was used in the war against ISIL in Syria.
Minor issues with the vehicles have been often reported however by most accounts, the crews that served in the vehicle firmly defend its capabilities and effectiveness.