HOMEABOUT USWHAT'S NEWFORUMLINKS



Please Support our Sponsors
 
   

VAB 4x4 Forward Area Armored Vehicle


Specifcations

Country of Origin/Used by: France (and many other countries)
First Produced/Service Dates: 1976
Manufactured by: Renault
Crew: 2+10
Armament: Various weapons packages but 12.7mm HMG carried on many.
Engine: 6-Cylinder Petrol
Miscellaneous Info: VAB is the French Acronym for Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé  ("Forward Area Armored Vehicle").  The VAB also comes in a 6x6 configuration as well.  Many variants have been fielded including Ambulance, Anti-Aircraft, Anti-Tank, APC, Command, Communications, Engineer, Electronic Warfare, Infantry Combat Vehicle, NBC Reconnaissance, Recovery and Repair Vehicle.
Data Sheet Available:   None Available

Photos

Reference Source/Provider
  VAB 4x4 APC Photo Jacques Dujardin - France
VAB 4x4 APC Photos Luis Pitarch - Spain
VAB APC Photos (Located at Saumur) Dennis Trowbridge - Bristol, UK
  VAB APC & US RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV Photo US Department of Defense
  VAB 4x4 Ambulance Photos Luis Pitarch

References Available

Online

Reference Source/Provider
"Armored Cars of the Cyprus National Guard" by T. Metsovitis Armored Car - The Wheeled Fighting Vehicle Journal (Issue #12)
"French VAB (Ve'hicule de l'Avant Blinde') Forward Area Armored Vehicle"  By Stelios Markides Armored Car - The Wheeled Fighting Vehicle Journal (Issue #23)
VAB APC Information & Photos Army-Guide.com
VAB APC Information & Photos Military-Factory.com

Printed

Reference Author
Blue Helmets Under Fire, The: Fifty Years of UN Peacekeeping Missions (Concord Publications) Samuel M. Katz & Yves Debay
Encyclopedia of Armoured Cars Duncan Crow & Robert J. Icks
"Exercise Bold Alligator" (July 2012 Issue of Military Machines International Magazine) Henri-Pierre Grolleau
Franco-German Brigade (Concord Publications) Walter Bohm & Peter Siebert
ISAF Vehicles in Afghanistan: 2007 (Kabul and Kandahar Areas) - Mushroom Model Publications

Book Review by Patrick Keenan

Dick Taylor
Jane's Tank Recognition Guide (4th Edition) Christopher F. Foss
Landing Zone Lebanon: UNIFIL 2006 (Blue Steel Books) Moustafa Assad
Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicles In Service B.T. White
UNITAF In Somalia: Vehicles of Restore Hope Forces Barry Beldam

Hobby Modeling

Kits and Accessories

Model Kit Manufacturer Scale Other Information
VAB 4x4 APC Model Kit (35060) ADV/Azimut 1/35 Resin; Full Interior
Renault VAB 4x4 ULTIMA APC (French Army 2012) model kit (GAS50223) Gaso.line 1/48 Multi-Media.
VAB 4x4 APC Model Kit (81130) Heller 1/35 Injection Molded Plastic

VAB 4x4 APC Model Kit (MM-R145)

Model Miniature

1/72

3D Printed in Resin.

VAB T20-13 APC with 20mm Gun Model Kit (MM-R148)

Model Miniature

1/72

3D Printed in Resin. Also comes with full interior and painting guide by AK-Interactive

VAB APC with CB-127 (12.7mm HMG) Turret Model Kit (MM-R149)

Model Miniature

1/72

3D Printed in Resin. Also comes with full interior, figure and 2 jerry cans.

VAB Gendarmerie Prevote Version (Lebanon) Model Kit (MM-R216)

Model Miniature

1/72

Easy Build Resin kit with only 24 parts; Includes figure and antennas.
VAB 4x4 VTT Model Kit (72001) ADV/Azimut 1/72 Resin
VAB 4x4 .50 cal CB 127 Model Kit (72012) ADV/Azimut 1/72 Resin
VAB 4x4 Milan ATGW Model Kit (72006) ADV/Azimut/Heller 1/72 Plastic & Resin; This is the Azimut Milan parts with the Heller VAB kit.
VAB 4x4 Milan ATGW Model Kit (72027) ADV/Azimut 1/72 Resin
VAB 4x4 APC Model Kit (9898) Heller 1/72 Injection Molded Plastic
       
Aftermarket Item Manufacturer Scale Other Information
VAB 4x4 APC Milan ATGW Update Set(35181) ADV/Azimut 1/35 Resin
VAB 4x4 Running Gear Set (35344) ADV/Azimut 1/35 Resin; For Heller Kit
"ISAF In Afghanistan" Decal Set (35087) ADV/Azimut 1/35 Includes markings for the wheeled fighting vehicles Luchs and VAB.
VAB 4x4 APC Update Set (35001K) Bison Decals 1/35 Resin; Exterior Set
VAB 4x4 APC Update Set (35001K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; Exterior Set
VAB 4x4 APC Interior Set No. 1(35003K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; Troop Compartment
VAB 4x4 APC Interior Set No. 2(35004K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; Driver's Compartment
VAB 4x4 APC Turret MG Mount (35012K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin
VAB 4x4 Wheel Set - Michelin (35002K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin
VAB 4x4 New Generation II APC Conversion (35006K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB New Generation II APC (with 12.7mm Turret) Update Set/Conversion (BL35006KB) - Limited Edition Blast Models 1/35 Multi-Media; For Heller Kit
VAB New Generation II APC (without Turret) Update Set/Conversion (BL35006K) - Limited Edition Blast Models 1/35 Multi-Media; For Heller Kit
VAB 4x4 Top Remote Weapon Station - Afghanistan (BL35141K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB 4x4 Anti-IED System AVG600 - Afghanistan (BL35142K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB 4x4 Stowage and Accessories - Afghanistan (BL35143K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB 4x4 Rear Ballistic Protection with .50 cal Machine Gun - Afghanistan(BL35144K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB XML Tires (with Special Rims) (BL35170K) - Limited Edition Blast Models 1/35 Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB 4X4 APC Uniroyal Wheel Set (BL35221K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB 4x4 APC Uniroyal Sagged Wheels with Air Pressure Control Hubs (BL35346K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB 4x4 APC Valorise Armor Conversion (BL35347K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB 4x4 APC Valorise Roof Rack Stowage Box (BL35348K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB 4x4 APC Chassis Stowage Boxes (BL35349K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB VOA Artillery Observation Vehicle Conversion (BL35345K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB CB52 Turret (BL35365K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB SLATE Gunfire Locator (BL35366K) Blast Models 1/35 Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB 4x4 APC Wheel Set (XML tires: Currently Used by French Army)  (35013) Djiti's Production 1/35 Resin.
VAB 4x4 APC Window Painting Mask (T056) Eduard 1/35 Vinyl Masking Set; For Heller Kit
VAB 4x4 APC Interior Detail Set (35534) Eduard 1/35 Photo Etched Set; For Heller Kit
VAB 4x4 APC Exterior Detail Set (35535) Eduard 1/35 Photo Etched Set; For Heller Kit
VAB 4x4 APC Interior/Exterior Detail Set (35020) Extratech 1/35 Brass Photo Etched Set; For Heller Kit
VAB 4x4 APC Exterior Detail Set (35024) Extratech 1/35 Brass Photo Etched Set; For Heller Kit
VAB 4x4 APC Detail Set (72077) Extratech 1/72 Photo-Etch Brass Set/Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB 4x4 APC Wheel Set (72020) Extratech 1/72 Resin; For Heller Kit
VAB Solido TOP Conversion (GAS50712K) Gaso.line 1/35 Multi-Media Set; For Heller Kit
Renault VAB ARX20 APC conversion set (GAS50713) Gaso.line 1/48 Multi-Media.
Renault VAB XML Michelin 14.00 R20 Tire Wheel Set (GAS50560) Gaso.line 1/48 Rubber.
VAB APC "Operation Brocket / Bosnia" Accessory Set (KMT35009K) Kits Maquettes Tank (KMT) 1/35 Resin. For the Heller Model Kit.

VAB APC Wheel Set (MM-R134)

Model Miniature

1/35

Resin. For the Heller Model Kit 

VAB APC Wheel Set #1 (MM-R135)

Model Miniature

1/72

Resin. For the Heller Model Kit 

VAB APC Wheel Set #2 (MM-R136)

Model Miniature

1/72

Resin. For the Heller Model Kit 

VAB CB-127 Amelioration (Improvement) Set (MM-R180)

Model Miniature

1/72

Resin. Improves/Converts Models mounting the 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun.

VAB T20/13 Amelioration (Improvement) Set (MM-R181)

Model Miniature

1/72

Resin. Improves/Converts Models mounting the 20mm Cannon. 

"FORAD Training Centre - AMX-30 B2, AMX-30 B2 BRENNUS & VAB 4x4" (35-C1017) Star Decals 1/35 Decal Set.

“ISAF #3: French Troops in Afghanistan” (35-C1269)

Star-Decals

1/35

Decals; Includes Markings for the Panhard VBL & VAB.

"ISAF-Afghanistan # 2: Peacekeepers from France" (72-A1101)

Star-Decals

1/72

Decals; Includes Markings for the Panhard VBL & VAB.

Model Photos

Reference Source/Provider
1/35 Heller FFL VAB 4x4 APC Model Photos Roy Kinsella - Dublin, Ireland