[COMPLETED] Trumpeter 1/35 USMC LAV-AT "Operation Desert Storm"

[Carsenault]

I wasnt gonna enter this in any gb but I found out this morning that the USMC LAV-ATs were deployed during ODS, I decided to enter this in this GB as well as the ODS GB at www.arcair.com. I won the kit off the door prize table at a hobby show last summer, not something I would normally build, but it looked different and interesting enough to want to try it out. I was really impressed with the kit when I opened it up. After talking to Scott from Elm City Hobbies about it I found out that Trumpeter was about to release a Canadian LAV-III kit. I bought that kit yesterday from Scott. Now I have never built any armor before so I was gonna use the LAV-AT as a practice run for the more complex and detailed LAV-III kit. When I found out about these being used in ODS I figured why not include it in the GB.

I started this last night and I was very pleased to see how smoothly everything went together. Without a cockpit to build, paint detail and fit before closing up the fuselage, this went together much faster than all the aircraft I am use to. I had the lower hull completed in no time so I decided to start the upper hull before calling quits for the night.  Here's where I am at now.

[Scott Girvan]

Looking great Charlie.

It's really cool to see you (and others, myself included) taking on a new scale and genre. The only thing that can come of it is a good stretching of technique and ability. I really am looking forward to watching this one.

[Ferris828]

Looking great! Awesome choice!

[JMac]

Looking great! Awesome choice!

I agree. Excellet choice for a vehicle. Sharp looking kit.

[Carsenault]

I finished the major assembly earlier tonight. I havent finished building a kit that fast in ages. Some time over the weekend Ill start painting and post a few more pics. This does look sharp.

[Carsenault]

Here's the latest batch of pics. I completed the upper hull yesterday after noon...





And the the turret and rear bulkhead last night, all is together now, fit isnt perfect, Ill have to fill a few gaps befpre I start painting. Great thing about armor, I dont have to make the gaps pretty. I had attached the rear bulkhead to the lower hull before attachinbg the upper hull. When I do the LAV-III, I'll jopin the hulls togetehr before putting on the bulkead.

[Noddy4000]

darn, that's a smart looking kit. More more more!

[Scott Girvan]

I agree. This went together fast. Can't wait to see more.

[JMac]

Carsenault, you're just flying through. Looks great. The PE really adds to the fine details.

[Ferris828]

The PE really adds to the fine details.

Indeed!

Great work!

[Dano1945]

Very nice. What a cool kit. Strange seeing armor kit in gray plastic.

Now I know deep down you want to paint it metal flake red with pinstripping! 

[schweinhund227]

Wow.... Just flying through with this....

Some kit just fall together nicely....   Good job!

I guess you will be hitting the paint booth soon!

I will be watching!

[Carsenault]

I guess you will be hitting the paint booth soon!

Yup, it hit the paint booth Friday night for some preshading, then the color coats started yesterday. I only have the Nato Green on it so far. Ill do the Nato Black and Brown today. Once all that is done Ill snap some piccies.

[sunsanvil]

Is that a dark ale in the background?

[Carsenault]

Is that a dark ale in the background?

Very observant. Although I like a good stout, that is simply my favorite drinking vessel with whats left of some of Capt Morgan's fine rum and some diet coke.