LAV III Recovery variant, LAV III Kodiak, ELAVNZ LAV III vehicle fitted with a TR200 winch and earth anchor for recovery operations. The LAV III, or Kodiak for the Canadian Army, is the third generation of the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) family of armoured personnel carriers built by General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada. It is the primary mechanized infantry vehicle of both the Canadian Army and the New Zealand Army. It is closely related to the Stryker vehicle family used by the U.S. Army and other operators.

The LAV III is fitted with a two-man turret, armed with the M242 Bushmaster 25 mm caliber chain gun and a coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun. One more 5.56 mm or 7.62 mm machine guns is positioned on top of the turret. The LAV III also has eight 76-mm grenade launchers in two clusters of four launchers positioned on each side of the turret. The grenade launchers are intended for smoke grenades.

This model is provided as the NZDF NZ LAV-R (recovery). Operators of the NZLAV (infantry) generally remove the storage box from the rear favouring a plywood platform for stowage, and weapons clearance over the rear of the vehicle. The LAV-R requires additional tools and stores, so the stowage box is retained.

The LAV family of models is one of my most detailed and labour-intensive design to date. Where possible the base model has been designed from manuals, and the recovery variant from detailed walkaround photos. I have been as accurate as I can be, I have also made design decisions to thicken up some components for durability when printing.

The base 1:10 scale prints can be scaled down at whatever size you choose, however anything smaller than 1:72 will likely suffer from being too fine.

Test printed in resin (anycubic photon mono, grey standard) and pre-supported in 1:72 as this was the largest I could fit in my printer. Some pre-supported resin test print files are provided, but I recommend you support the model in your printer. I make no guarantees for the presupported models. They worked for my test printing, I suggest you detail your own supports to suit your printer and settings.

Currently in service with variations provided to Canada, Chile, Colombia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and the USA (Stryker)

constructive feedback is welcome! ubiquemodels@outlook.com