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In-Box Review
135
Modern OGPK set
Modern HUMVEE/DUMVEE Objective Gunners Protective Kit set
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by: Mario Krajinovic [ MARIO_HR ]

Introduction

Problem with being the only exposed guy in the vehicle shooting back at the bad guys is really apparent with the advent of vehicle mounted weapons. Turret Gunners operating in up-armored Humvee's in Iraq and Afghanistan called for significant force protection improvements against Improvised Explosive Devices and enemy small arms fire. Soldiers needed something to give them 360-degree protection yet still provide full visibility of their surroundings. The start of combat operations saw a number of improvised solutions such as welded turrets with HMMWV windshield glass for ballistic protection with strapped Kevlar vests etc.

The official answer to an urgent need for protection came in the form of Objective Gunners Protective Kit (OGPK) program fielded by U.S. Army Armament Research Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ. The challenge was how to balance increased armored protection and weapon maneuverability. The gunner needs rapid and sufficient weapon maneuverability to engage targets effectively, but increased range of motion of the weapon typically leads to reduced protection due to the interference between the weapon and the armor panels.

Objective Gunner Protection Kit (OGPK) provides full wrap-around protection, while still ensuring the gunner's ability to engage targets effectively. The OGPK is an integrated armor and ballistic glass turret that is mounted onto the turret ring of an HMMWV as well as other tactical and armored vehicles including MRAP family of vehicles. An innovative asymmetric armor design kit was used with strategically-placed modular armor panels, including transparent areas to give the soldier more visibility. The OGPK system also incorporates the Battery Powered Motorized Traversing Unit (BPMTU), which ensures full 360-degree rotation of the turret with the use of an electronic joystick. Overhead Cover was another feature added in 2007. with the intention of providing adequate protection and survivability from sniper and small arms fire that had to fit the requirements of ensuring the turret system wasn't overloaded due to the added weight.

The review

This is another great mixed (resin PE) set for detailing or converting your HMMWV to something else. The focus of the viewer is really attracted to this imposing thing. The contents of the set encased in a small acetate box are as following:

• zip-lock bag with a transparent sheet
• zip-lock bag with resin rear-view mirrors and the turret traverse joystick
• 2 PE frets of different thickness
• instruction sheet

At first glance, it looks simple enough. The longer PE fret is thicker than the other and includes turret sides and the overhead cover. That’s why it’s thicker – it adequately represents the thickness of the turret armor plates. Also included on this fret are the turret ring plates, hatch cover and the triangular base for the weapons mount.
The smaller fret holds a number of smaller parts like the armored window frames, riveted joint beams and the rear turret stowage box. Everything is sharply produced with no defects what so ever.

To ease visibility for the gunner, the OGPK turret also features rear view mirrors that are identical to the ones on the vehicle body. This kit has them in resin, but they are mounted on the resin molding blocks in such a way that it is easy to remove more then you should. The picture provided can show this better. I would have liked more if they were located on the bottom. One other nitpick about the mirrors is the extremely thin edges. Take care in removing them from the block! Also included is a joystick used to traverse the turret which is nicely casted and is defect free.
Transparent sheet of plastic (or resin?) is included to present the window transparencies. However, due to brittleness of clear parts, extreme care will be needed when cutting them out.

The instructions really show off the complexity of the build. What looks easy enough when you open the box, this is when you get put down to earth. Three pages of A4 format show that some experience will be necessary while assembling this thing together.

Conclusion

A lot of parts, complicated bending, multi-layered PE parts will perhaps take some time to put together, but this set will really improve any kit parts and bring your kit to a whole new level.
SUMMARY
Highs: great overall look, extreme details, relatively small price
Lows: awkward position of molding plugs on resin parts, complex build, cutting of transparent parts
Verdict: Even tough it's complex to build, this is one of better sets out there. Great potential to make your HMMWV stand out from anything else.
Percentage Rating
92%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: PEA247
  Related Link: Voyager Models item link
  PUBLISHED: Jul 30, 2011
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.76%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 87.70%

Our Thanks to Voyager Model!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Mario Krajinovic (Mario_HR)
FROM: CROATIA HRVATSKA

Copyright ©2021 text by Mario Krajinovic [ MARIO_HR ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

WOW!! Mario thats a technical little bugger for a turret ,,looks great tho and something tells me there will be one entering my pile in the not to distant future hehe wouldn't be hard to do in plastic but looks so much better in metal . Yup i think i gotta get one ...... or two hehe
JUL 30, 2011 - 06:12 AM
Yeah, it looks pretty tight don't it? I'm really interested in making this one on a M1151, but with barracuda netting on top. Now that's a slam-dunk for me
JUL 30, 2011 - 07:27 AM
Very nice review Mario. Keep 'em coming!
JUL 30, 2011 - 09:13 AM
Hello Mario, I am a new member on this awesome website and also to the military scale 1/35 modeling (Previously modeled scale HO model railroads for past 20 years... Anyways, when I returned home safe in 2011 from a long tour in Iraq I decided that I would create an Iraq diorama theme to display photos and memorabilia. I have purchase several items for this project and had a question for you or anyone else on this product from Voyager PEA247 O-GPK. Will this fit on the Bronco Model M1114 or the Academy M1151 without too many modifications ? Any information provided will be greatly appreciated. Also, I ordered the Kinetic MRAP and would like to upgrade the 50 cal weapon and another O-GPK as well. Any suggestion for that vehicle as well will be greatly appreciated, thank you. JGphins
JUL 20, 2014 - 11:46 AM
Good review Mario. I need to add this to my stash.
JUL 20, 2014 - 01:16 PM
   
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