U.S. Marine Corps AAVP7A1 Amphibious Assault Vehicle - When the Ocean Is the First Obstacle

The AAV7A1 Amphibious Assault Vehicle is a cornerstone of United States Marine Corps doctrine, designed to carry Marines directly from ship to shore and onward into combat. Built for operations where land begins at the waterline, the AAV7A1 combines ocean-going capability with tracked mobility, allowing it to operate in surf conditions that would defeat most armored vehicles.

Capable of navigating ocean waves up to nine feet high, the AAV7A1 can transport up to twenty-five fully equipped Marines while remaining seaworthy even under total immersion. Despite its amphibious role, it is a massive vehicle, comparable in length to the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank, and offers substantial protection and mobility once ashore.

This model is based on the 1992 Tamiya kit and was finished using acrylics along with a variety of weathering techniques to reflect hard service in demanding environments. The intent of the build was to portray the AAV7A1 as it is most often seen - worn, stained, and functional - a blunt but essential tool that exists to deliver Marines where they are needed, regardless of terrain or conditions.

M109A6 Paladin Self Propelled Howitzer - The Army’s Armored Artillery Workhorse

The M109A6 Paladin is a modernized self-propelled howitzer developed to provide responsive, armored artillery support for United States Army ground forces. Entering service as an evolution of the long-running M109 series, the Paladin combined improved fire control, mobility, and crew protection to meet the demands of late Cold War and post–Cold War combat operations.

Armed with a 155mm gun, the M109A6 was designed to deliver accurate, sustained fire while remaining highly mobile and capable of rapid displacement after firing. During Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, the Paladin played a critical role in supporting maneuver units across wide, fast-moving battlefields, where speed, coordination, and reliability were essential.

This model is based on an older Italeri kit later reissued by Tamiya, and required more preparation work than originally anticipated. Finished to represent a vehicle in U.S. Army service during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the build emphasizes a used, operational appearance rather than a pristine display finish. On a personal note, this was the vehicle type I would have crewed after serving with the USAF and joining the Army ranks had medical circumstances allowed, making this build both a technical project and a quiet reflection on what could have been. 

S-300V - Mobile Air Defense Built to Deny the Sky

The S-300V is a long-range, mobile surface-to-air missile system developed to provide layered air defense against aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missile threats. Designed to operate as part of an integrated battlefield air defense network, the system combines powerful radar assets with heavy missile launchers mounted on tracked chassis, allowing it to deploy, fire, and relocate rapidly in response to evolving threats.

Unlike simpler point-defense systems, the S-300V was intended to protect large formations and critical assets over wide areas. Its vertically launched missiles and tall radar masts give the system a distinctive and imposing profile, emphasizing reach, detection capability, and engagement at significant distances rather than close-range interception.

This model depicts the S-300V in a deployed configuration and was built largely out of the box, with select enhancements including modified brass antennas and fully airbrushed markings. Finished using acrylics and oils, the emphasis was placed on clean construction, scale accuracy, and subtle weathering rather than heavy wear. With over 1,200 parts in the kit, the build reflects both the complexity of the real system and the engineering challenge of translating such a dense, technical platform into scale form.