Legend makes a C7 engine for the Stryker. I sent them the specs way back. They make it for the Trumpeter or AFV Club kits, although that makes zero difference. It would be a very good starting point. Sure, you’ll have to change some details, but that’s what modeling is all about. Thank God I got mine when they were free. 
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I was thinking I’d swap over the SOCOM pieces onto an RFM M-ATV which has the nicest styrene engine I’ve ever seen in a model but until the ILK is in my hands I can only speculate.
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Holy cow, you’re right. I’ve got every version of the M-ATV offered this far, including the original, and very fine resin kit by Vajra, which I assisted with. A shame they went away.
However, until now I hadn’t even opened the RFM kit, let alone inspected it. It does indeed look like they nailed the engine, although their painting guide leaves something to be desired. They did get all of the little decals correct though, which is pleasantly surprising. I like your idea.
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That looks excellent.
I have received correspondence from someone who is planning to do the same thing you are. He says that the “I♡kit M1245” is seriously lacking. I hope the conversion will go well for you. My fear is perhaps the side panels may not fit correctly, although I don’t know exactly what he was alluding to. Little things can be altered, but something like that would be a PITA. I do know the stowage attachment points leave much to be desired - not much you can do except get the 3D printed parts. Or hang lots of stowage all over it.
Perhaps do the opposite of what you thought of doing - swap the RFM parts into the I♡kit M1245 kit.
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Well, I’ve begun the RFM chassis; figure I’ll get the underpinnings built before the ILK kit arrives. Then I can decide.
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So the ILK plastic is in my grubby hands, and… I think your correspondent is right. The plastic is soft and the mold lines are all over though I don’t see a lot of ejector pin pieces. I think the RFM M-ATV kits have me spoiled; this feels like 10 or 15 years behind them in model technology. I think I’m going to just build it as is and not try to mix it with the RFM kit. My hope is that Rye Field (having just released the RPGNET upgrade to their M- ATV) will release the SOCOM and other variants; the ILK is disappointing by comparison.
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I hate to be right on that. Perhaps the 3D printed parts are the way to go. My photos won’t hurt, or one could use the I♡kit much like the AEF Designs “kits.” Use it to get an idea of how the thing was supposed to look, but without all the blobs and boo boos all over it. Then scratch your own bits.
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Hi,I combined RFM and I♡kit.
You’re right, the I♡kit is a disappointing kit, so I stopped making it here.
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Oh my - that stowage box in the right rear of the cargo compartment looks nothing like the real thing. Same with the two cabinets in the front. And the floor detail is awful as well. Even so - it looks like you’ve done well with it. Why stop now? You can hide a lot of that with rucksacks and equipment.
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There are no electronics on this cargo, and the mud flaps are on the inside because the taillight bars are narrow. So we’re making them in 3D CAD. That’s going to take a lot of time.
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The first M-ATV I built was also the first kit released - the Vajra resin kit, which was a very nice kit. I used the US MRAP Radio Set, Pro Art Models PAU-35055 set.
It may be possible to still find it.
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