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Hi Guys:

I finished my Stryker reference article I mentioned some time back. In researching that and talking with Stryker crews I sure have learned a lot about this vehicle. I have a goal to see and photograph a slat armor Stryker since most modelers are going to want to try and depict such a vehicle as all of them in Iraq have the slat. A slat armor Stryker would be a different article all together. But getting to see a slat Stryker is like trying to spot my lazy-ass brother-in-law working instead of siphoning money from us, ie in theory it exists, but nobody seems to ever see such a thing.

I live within driving distance of Ft Lewis and I have been able to visit the base due to some very helpful cav troopers. But nobody I know could get me access to see one with the slat. The PAO has been most unhelpful (you would think they could at least return a call or email to say, "Sorry but no."). I suppose if I was CNN they would jump through the phone line to assign some poor NCO to show me the vehicle, but since this is for modelers, they couldn't give a darn.

Does anybody here know someone in, say, an infantry unit that would be willing to show me a slat armor truck? I would not think it would be a classified sort of thing. I know Ft Lewis does not have many of them, but they do have some for training purposes. I have exhausted my sources and my requests through normal channels. I figured asking you kind folks was worth a try. If this is an inappropriate use of this forum then by all means delete this thread; I apologize. When it comes to this sort of thing, I learned you must ask! If you feel odd about replying here, you can reach me at buriks @ comcast.net

Cheers.

Bob

I've try to deal with PAO too. What a bunch of lazy bureaucrats! I'll try and see if Knox has a Stryker with slat armor. Haven't seen one though....

Email our webmaster George and ask if he has any recent back issues of AFV News with the two Stryker Slat articles I submitted. Includes 4-view drawings (left -side view in second article). I'm not at home at the moment and can't give you the issue numbers, sorry.

Don't know if this will be helpful or not, but Osprey Publishing has a book from their New Vanguard series on the Stryker coming out late in July. The book is written by Gordon Rottman. Interestingly enough, the cover picture is of a Stryker with slat armor.

Thanks folks. Since there are specific photos that I think need to be taken, like attachment points, and different angles at mostly close-up ranges, I think I need to take the photos, so that is what I am after. Also, the whole photocopyright issue is taken of care of as well.

Mike, that is very interesting that you did your own articles on the Stryker. Very cool.

I myself will be very interested to see that Osprey book come out. Concord will be publishing one too. That will be most interesting to me since I suspect most of the photos will be set in Iraq.

Bob

I have loads of pictures of Strykers with slat armor (I was attached to 1-23 INF in Iraq in 2003-04).

The majority are of my own truck (M1131 FSV) but I have shots of ICVs, RVs and MCs as well.

Anything in particular you are looking for?

Thirteen Fox:

Sounds like you are interested in contributing some photos. That would be very nice. Thank you. I will contact you via PM. I think there is a lot of interest here for Strykers. You should post a pic of your FSV. I am not sure I even noticed any while I was at the NTC in Feb. I'll have to check my photos. hmm...

It almost goes without saying that Trumpeter will come out with another version of the Stryker after the ICV is introduced. Who knows what it will be though. They have yet to produce another version of the LAV, or even announce such a thing. Even if they do not come out with something after the ICV I would hope an aftermarket company would come out with something. I'd like to see an ATGM or an RV or an FSV.