Trumpeter 1/35 Canadian AVGP Grizzly (Early) Kit First Look

by Michael Benolkin

First Look

The Armoured Vehicle General Purpose (AVGP) is a series of three combat vehicles in service with the Canadian Armed Forces. There are three members of the AVGP family: Cougar, which is a fire support vehicle; Grizzly, which is an armoured personnel carrier (APC); and Husky, which is an armoured recovery vehicle. In service since the late 1970s, these vehicles are no longer used in front-line service, but the Grizzly was loaned to African peace keepers for and later for UN service in Darfur as it was believed to be effective in low-intensity conflict operations.

Trumpeter is producing the Canadian AVGP series with this release providing the Grizzly APC in its early configuration. This kit is molded in light gray styrene and presented on six parts trees, plus an upper and lower hull, one tree of clear parts, six rubber (vinyl) tires, and one small fret of photo-etched parts.

So let's get to the features:

• Detailed 6x6 power train
• Detailed chassis and suspension
• Positionable crew compartment hatches
• No interior details
• Nice exterior details w/pioneering tools and stowage
• Driver's windshield
• Cadillac-Gage turret

Note that the instructions neglect to tell you how to build the turret. Look at our build-up review for how to get this subassembly together (link below).

Markings are provided for two examples:

• IFOR duty with the Canadian Armed Forces
• UN duty with the Canadian Armed Forces

This is a very simple build and will be an excellent kit for the less experienced modeler to try out a Trumpeter armor kit. The three photo-etched parts consist of two guards and a cover, so there is very little complexity in terms of multimedia construction.

If you're looking for an interesting project, this example of a Canadian AVGP will be a nice break from all of the Wehrmacht armor on the market right now.

Go here to see this kit built-up.

My sincere thanks to Stevens International for this review copy!