Monday, November 8

Preview: Stry-ker the CROWS! AFV Club's new M1126 in 35th scale

AFV Club continues to build its Stryker family with the new M1126 armed with the CROWS-J (J for Javelin) turret variant of the ICV in 1/35th scale. We have some info on the real thing and the forthcoming kit in our preview...
Preview: Stry-ker the CROWS! AFV Club's new M1126 in 35th scale

Stryker M1126 CROWS-J
From AFV CLub
1/35th scale
Kit Number #AF35343
Link to the AFV Club website...
The Subject: The Stryker M1126 with CROWS-J
The U.S troops deployed in Europe have received a new version of the Stryker 8x8 armoured vehicle fitted with a remotely operated weapon station armed with the Javelin anti-tank guided missile launcher. The new vehicles are fitted with the Common Remotely Operated Weapon System-Javelin (CROWS-J).
New Stryker armoured with CROWS J Javelin missile turret for US troops in Europe 925 001
A Common Remote Weapons Station mounting a Javelin missile (CROWS-J) from Palehorse Troops during the Infantry Carrier Vehicle Dragoon (ICVD)/Common Remote Weapons Station mounting a Javelin missile (CROWS-J) Operational Test, Hohenfels, Germany. (Picture source US DoD)
In May 2018, two new Stryker vehicles were tested by the 2nd Cavalry Regiment of U.S. Army in Germany including the Infantry Carrier Vehicle --Dragoon (ICVD) equipped with an unmanned turret housing a 30mm cannon with enhanced optics, and the Common Remotely Operated Weapon System-Javelin (CROWS-J), Infantry and Recon Stryker variants with a mounted Javelin capability.
The CROWS-Javelin (CROWS-J) is a version of the CROWS II Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS), armed with one FGM-148 Javelin ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) launcher. Second armament includes one 12.7mm heavy machine gun mounted to the left side of the turret. The RCWS is fully stabilized and equipped with an optics and fire control system. The CROWS-J weapon station can be operated remaining under the armour protection of the hull. Soldiers in these vehicles agree the capability allowed them to fight the armour fight much more dynamically, allowing for the repositioning of anti-armour capabilities quickly across the battlespace.

CROWS-J system close up - Javelin ready to fire...
In 2015, a plan was approved for the rearmament of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment of the US Army (known as the "dragoons"), based in Vilsek, Germany. The plan provided for equipping 87 Stryker vehicles with new CROWS-J weapon stations.

The new kit from AFV Club:
This Stryker M1126 in 35th scale follows on from their other variant, and this one includes the CROWS-J turret (of course).
This kit includes the features of this variant, including the FGM-148 Anti-tank Missiles, the cable cutter in the front of the vehicle can be positioned in use or in a stowed/ folded position. The doors can be posed open or closed and the kit comes with photo-etch and vinyl tyres.

We are not sure when the kit is going to be released, but along the lines of their recent releases probably early in 2022.

You can find more about this kit on the AFV Club website...