AAVP7A1 oddball LVTEX-3 WIP

Here is Dragon's 1/72 AAVP7A1 with E.T. Model's PE. It represents an AAV of AVTB which I took pictures of in mid-late 1995 while she was at 3D AABN ramp awaiting SINCGARS modification. I later was data collector/vehicle commander of this vehicle when she was POP4 (AAV#4 of four RAM/RS test vehicles, Proof Of Production-4) after receiving the RAM/RS modification at MCLB Barstow. The AAV is a bit of an odd ball; the brown squares/blotches are not a shoddy or botched attempt at digital camouflage, they are hastily applied areas that were painted once the mounts for the old (pre-EAAK) grate armor were cut and ground off. Although it lacks even the EAAK mounting bosses (which we applied in 1997 on this AAV and then painted her green overall) and has the VT400 engine/transmission, she has RAM/RS suspension (which made her a sluggish dog to operate) along with one of the earlier test UpGunned Weapons Stations. Being an AVTB (Amphibious Vehicle Test Branch) vehicle, she has the driver and troop commander hatches painted orange, draft marks (the orange squares fore and aft) and antennas painted in alternating colors at six-inch increments to allow for measuring such items as wave heights when reviewing testing films. The last image is a 50-year comparison of the Amphibious Tractor, an AAVP7A1 of 1995 and the LVTA4 (1944/45) I completed for the Have Gun Will Travel GB.