JB’s Model Zone

Old 1992 Tamiya kit done in acrylics and various weathering mediums/techniques.  This versatile vehicle can navigate in the ocean waves 9 feet tall while carrying 25 fully equipment Marines and can even withstand total immersion without sinking. It is a very large tracked vehicle, being almost the same length as the US M1A1 Abram’s main battle tank.

Old Italeri kit with rights purchased by Tamiya. Because of this it involved more prep work than I had anticipated. Made as used during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 by US Army. The M109 featured an 155mm gun. Ironically, this is what I was destined to crew with had I not failed my hearing test when I tried serving again with the Army instead of USAF.

Russian developed SAM (surface to air missile) on a mobile platform done in acrylics and oils. Numbers were airbrushed, modified brass antenna added to an otherwise stock build. Kit consisted of over 1,200 pieces.

Tamiya 1/35 scale model done in acrylics, oils and pigments. It’s depicted here as used by the Royal Scots  Dragoon Guards 7th Armored Brigade in Afghanistan of April, 2003.  The white panels are  thermal signature reduction panels designed to help distinguish the tank as a friendly unit when viewed through night vision or thermal imaging equipment ;  they appear as distinct dark areas against the hotter background of the tank, making it easier for friendly forces to identify them during combat situations.  This is a result of many friendly fire incidents during Desert Storm.

The V-1 represented here in 1/48 scale. It was really the world’s first cruise missile, although totally inaccurate. It was used as a terror weapon against London by the Third Reich. This was put together using two different kits. The Tamiya kit was bad enough to warrant using a different kit for the V-1 itself, while the cradle used to bring it to the launch catapult was utilized, the actual V-1 I chose was a kit made many years ago by MPM. The Tamiya kit’s V-1 is modeled terribly with the cowling being way too thin which means the stanchion going from the fuselage to the engine cowling is also way too long. I added details such as in the fuel section, the rudder control, cradle details and a few other numerous small items I gathered from period photos.

Japanese Ground Self Defense Force Type 74 done in acrylics. The Type 74 tank is made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan and features a 105mm main gun and was produced through 1988. In total 873 were produced. The Type 74 has a unique suspension system which can allow the tank itself to have the frontal armor and gun depressed as depicted here.