Aussie Marines AAVA-7A1: Finished Pics Page Four.

[NARSES2]

Looking good mate

[zenrat]

Thanks Chris.

I gloss cleared it and put on some transfers.
RAMC AAV WIP 19-04-2020 01 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
RAMC AAV WIP 19-04-2020 02 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
RAMC Badge by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[zenrat]

Since the last post above I have fitted the winch, detail painted various small bits and pieces (tools, spare track, shackles etc) and commenced weathering.
Today I made a small base from an offset of timber, builders bog and dust from one of my power sanders I have been saving in a tub for just such a moment.  I think it's from Jarrah floorboards I repurposed.  It's a good red Aussie sand colour and I plan to also use it as weathering powder on the vehicle.

[Captain Canada]

Very nice. Looks like a Caribou lol

[zenrat]

I've been adding a small amount of stowage to this and weathering it.
Both of which are completed.
The base is nearly done and there are some final touches to add to the vehicle.
So it could be finished by the original deadline.

However, as I have time now we have an extension, I have decided to add a figure to the base.

[buzzbomb]

I like this subtle change, the scheme works well

[zenrat]

Thanks Buzzie.

Here's a new pic.

AAV WIP 31-05-2020 02 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Figure is a WW2 US tank crewman with his head swapped for an aftermarket one wearing a slouch hat.  Clothing is just a tee shirt and combat pants though and so is pretty much timeless.

[NARSES2]

That's definitely either a "huh" pose or "you want me to do what ?" pose

[DogfighterZen]

That's definitely either a "huh" pose or "you want me to do what ?" pose

Indeed!
BTW, the vehicle looks very good, Fred!

[zenrat]

Marine is nearly ready.  Needs clear and a transfer on his tee shirt.
AAV WIP 09-06-2020 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[zenrat]

Assault Amphibious Vehicle (Australia) – 7A1

AAVA-7A1 - 2 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV)—official designation AAVA-7A1 (formerly known as Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Personnel-7abbr. LVTP-7)—is a fully tracked amphibious landing vehicle manufactured by U.S. Combat Systems (previously by United Defense, a former division of FMC Corporation).

AAVA-7A1 - 11 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
AAVA-7A1 - 5 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The AAV-A7/A1 is the current amphibious troop transport of the Republic of Australia Marine Corps. It is used by RAMC Assault Amphibian Battalions to land the surface assault elements of the landing force and their equipment in a single lift from assault shipping during amphibious operations to inland objectives and to conduct mechanized operations and related combat support in subsequent mechanized operations ashore. It is also operated by other forces. Marines call them "Ayvees", a corruption of the three letter initialisation AAV.

AAVA-7A1 - 10 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
AAVA-7A1 - 16 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Model.

A Hobby Boss AAVR-7A1 Assault Amphibian Vehicle Recovery that I had purchased specifically for its crane which I had fitted to a D9 armoured bulldozer.
An AAVR without it's crane and winch is to all intents and purposes an AAVC (Assault Amphibian Vehicle Command).  But I fitted the winch as you never know when you are going to need to pull something out of a bog.
Paint is an Auscam set by SMS - airbrush ready acrylic lacquers.  Very nice paint.  I recommend them.
The kit bags and esky are from a Legend Productions stowage set and I can't remember who made the beer boxes or the MRE box.
The "sand" on the base and weathering is dust from one of my power sanders I saved a few years back after sanding some hardwood floorboards.  It makes good red sand.
The figure is a Master Box US tank crewman (from the Allied Forces WWII era, North Africa Desert Battles Series) with his head replaced with a resin head wearing a slouch hat by Hornet.

AAVA-7A1 - 19 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
AAVA-7A1 - 17 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[PR19_Kit]

That's one HEFTY looking machine there Fred. 

And the paint job is awesome too.

Do any Australian forces have those things for real?

[Rheged]

It being Australian, I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised to see a cool box (I think the 'Strine word is an eskie) amongst the important equipment on the lid of the AAV.

It's a work of high quality!

[zenrat]

Thanks folks.

That's one HEFTY looking machine there Fred. 

And the paint job is awesome too.

Do any Australian forces have those things for real?

No.  I think they use landing craft and then drive up the beach.  ASLAVs are amphibious but i'm not sure how they'd cope coming in through the surf.

It being Australian, I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised to see a cool box (I think the 'Strine word is an eskie) amongst the important equipment on the lid of the AAV.

It's a work of high quality!

Yes.  Esky is the appropriate term.  It is important to keep ones beer cold.

[NARSES2]

I was going to comment on the "eskie" as well, but Rheged beat me to it 

Great build mate