SPA Modeler

This is the Tamiya 1/35 Komatsu LAV that I built for the annual So.Cal.AMPS 12 Hour Challenge. As many of you know from past years, you know the parameters are: each entrant selects three kit choices and submits them to the group of fellow entrants for voting as to selection. The entrant then builds the kit selected by the others in three separate four hour sessions that are done during Zoom meetings. I built this kit OOB aside from adding an AM antenna



Instead of the typical JGSDF Brown and Green camo, this kit comes with the markings and colors worn by the JGSDF contingent in Iraq during the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom



Anyways, this kit is a gem to build and quite troublefree. I used all the Tamiya recommendation for paints aside from a few Vallejo or AK 3 Gen. for detail colors as needed. Wreathing was done with pigments and some airbrush work











Thanks for looking… comments and critiques are welcome…

Very nice build, Stik!

Thanks Tom! I highly recommend this kit if you’re even considering it

That's a cracking build as I've said before Carlos - the weathering fits that photo spot on.

Still interesting to know that the JGDSF were in Iraq - I hadn't realised that.

That really looks great Stik!

Outstanding! Another fine earthbound effort Carlos.

Stuart, Mike, and Chris, thank you one and all for your kind words.

That is some cool looking equipment! I really dig Japanese armor. The big Hinomarus are making this vehicle stand out even more.
I wonder how the fit was between the die cast chassis and the plastic parts. I'm sure pretty good since it's big T. It's a bummer that they stepped away from it. The development of metal prices in the past decade seems to be a valid reason for that.

Great model, Carlos!

Thanks Torben! And yes, it is one good looking wheeled AFV. It has something of a resemblance to the French vehicle of the same class…. VBL I think… The fit of the plastic parts to the metal is excellent. And I do like the feel of the heft of the kit with the metal lower hull. Good stuff! Like you said, too bad that they stepped away from that practice.

Carlos, how did you apply the dust effect? I cannot seem to get anything close to that.