Here’s another off the kitchen table I just completed today. It’s Tamiya’s AAVP7a1. The figures in the kit were just lousy and I might replace them later. The camo was done freehand (no masks at all) with my trusty Paasche H (yup, single action external mix) using Tamiya paints. Any comments are welcomed. Thanks for looking. 
-Jesse
Jesse,
Really nice build! I’m thinking about picking up this kit myself.
I was about to ask if the camo was done with fun-tack and then I finished reading. [:O] That is a perfect example of, “… it ain’t the airbrush… it’s who’s usin’ it!” That is a heck of a paint job.[tup]
Once again, very nice. The details are great. Love the rope. Freehand camo…God Bless you,my hands are to big and old to attemt that. My life is silly putty!!
I sure the dirt, grime rust and chip group will be in and pass comment. Its great to see a clean build that can carry without dirt. Nice work [tup]
Rounds Complete!!
Very nice !!! I think the figure looks good.Dirt or no dirt,either way it looks good.Keep posting !!!
!http://th331.photobucket.com/albums/l441/aibat13/emoticons/th_afterboom.gifYo’ man.
Pretty nice job here… something we don’t see much of. Super free-hand there too!
!http://th80.photobucket.com/albums/j173/ccrbumblebee/Smileys/th_Wink.jpg
I think you’d benefit from a bit of a wash to enhance the detail.
DISASTERMASTER
great looking build and great job on the free hand camo. any problems to look out for in building this kit.
There is a wash there along with some chipping effects. They’re kind of lost in my poor photography skills.
The only problem I found in the build was how the upper met the rear of the model. There was a significant gap there that I filled with styrene and white glue.
Thanks for all your comments.
-Jesse
Best looking ‘tuna boat’ I’ve ever seen! I know from my build that the upper-to-lower mating is a real pain but yours looks flawless! Man, to be able to freehand and pattern like that…
Very, very nice!
Great job Jesse. Awesome work on the camo. [tup]
Subtle weathering can often get lost in the camera. I think the light weathering is appropriate for the presentation on the wooden plaque - it would be a different story if it were presented on a diorama bas.
Thanks for the kind replys. In regards to the weathering, remember the primary job of the AAV is to move Marines from ship to shore. Because of this, they tend to look rather clean (for an AFV). Also, Marines keep them clean do to the saltwater damage that can quickly set in. Of course, nowadays, you see the AAVs in Iraq running through the desert. Completely different weathering in that senerio.
Here’s two good examples: 
I spent a lot time on AAVs both in the desert and coming from ship to shore. They were both fun and a little scary at times to be in.
Jesse
Very nice camo…nice figgies as well…you could really take your armor to the next level with a tad more weathering/chipping…trust me, I am more from the “school of clean modeling” than a “weatherhead” so when I give you that advice it is not that I want to see it caked in mud…just ask the other guys in here…In fact, I think to call it “weathering” is somewhat misleading…I like to think of it as “aging” the model…adding some washes, dust and nicks and scrapes…
Looks great to me. I like them lightly weathered as well. Geat job on the camo. I have this kit, along w/the Blast RAMS/RS running gear, and the Hobby Fan interior. I need to get going on it. Yours has insprired me. Great work.
How’d I miss this one?
Beautiful camo work there; the painting delineation lines are very nicely done! The whole kit is a peach–great looking tools, and I think the figures look just fine!
Two things–is that rope or cable on the side there? The reason I’m asking is, would you be able to wind a heavy cable so tightly around something like that?
Second–are you going to put this one down on a base of sand like you did the other piece you had here? It would look more in it’s element if you’d throw down some sand on that bare placque…?
Hey Gino,
Thanks. I envy you having the Hobby Fan interior. I almost convinced my wife to allow me to buy it. She was like “$160.00? Are you insane”. She’s the bread winner, so be it. Have you seen the forthcoming AAV’s from HobbyBoss? I wonder if they’re new molds.
Jesse
It’s element to me is water!! I was really thinking of partial submerging it in acrylic medium gel having the AAV coming up on the beach. I’m kind of hesitate on doing that though. I’m afraid if I put it on just a sand base, people will think “desert” not beach.
It’s a rope. A lot of AAV’s carry them. Check this picture: 
Jesse
Yup, I got lucky and stole it off eBay for $75. I have seen the announcements from Hobby Boss. I hope they turn out nicely. We need a few up to date Tune Boats. Oh, I also have the Trumpeter EAAK to add to the Tamiya hull too. Unfortunately, its back in the states. I may have the wife send it over here to start it though.
jesse, another beautiful build and outstanding freehand paintjob. can you here the music… From the halls of Montezuma… Semper Fi [}:)]dog.
Oh, that “acryilc resin” thing would be waaaaay cool! That would be a tutorial that I would be interested in following! …[:-^]…[;)]
Didn’t they have any of these in Iraq too though? Wouldn’t be that much of a stretch to have it in that theatre, would it?
Hey doog,
The AAVP7a1 is the Marines prime armored troop mover. Therefore, you see them all over Iraq with the Marines. They are normally overpainted with a sand color for Iraq operations. I wanted something a little more colorful so I chose the 3 tone camo scheme.
Check out this guys diorama for his LVTP7a1: http://www.ipmslivonia.org/ipms/Gallery/LVTP/KitRLVTP.htm
I don’t know if I have the guts for something like that. I have never worked with acylic gel medium to replicate water, but I do have some 1/700 ships I waiting to try it on.
Jesse
