The USMC relies heavily on their tracked 'tuna boats' for amphibious operations. The AAV7A1 is able to operate on both land and sea with equal ease, and it has seen extensive service in Iraq since Operation Iraqi Freedom kicked off in 2003. While the Personnel variant is the most common one, another version is a specialist recovery vehicle known as the AAVR7A1. Dragon now offers such a AAVR7A1 in the Dragon Armor range of fully built-up die-cast models.

The AAVR7A1 is designed to recover other AAV7s, and also to provide field support maintenance. To aid it in its mission, this special recovery vehicle has a 120V generator, an air compressor, a Miller Maxtron 300 welder, a 6000lb capacity crane and a 23,000lb capacity winch equipped with 85 feet of cable. Crewed by five men, its self-defense capability comes from a solitary M240G machine gun. Heavy-duty equipment like the crane and winch are accurately reproduced to scale in this miniature from Dragon Armor, and the crane can be posed as if in operation. The 1/72 scale model is finished in a standard three-color NATO camouflage scheme, and it has been weathered to lend it an air of realism. For example, the rubber rims of the road wheels and the track links have a well-worn effect. With its distinctive crane boom, the Recovery version of the AAV7A1 has a unique look that model has been captured beautifully in this model. Whether wading through the surf during an amphibious assault, or performing a recovery mission in dusty Iraq, this vehicle can do it all! Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 4-3/4-inches
Width: 1-3/4-inches

Release Date: December 2007

Historical Account: "On to Baghdad" - The 1st Marine Division, then under the command of Major General James Mattis, was one of the two major U.S. land forces that participated in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. The division was the land component of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and fought its way to Baghdad and then pushed further to secure Tikrit. After the invasion the division settled in to conduct security and stablization operations in southern Iraq. For actions during the war as part of I MEF the division was awarded its 9th Presidential Unit Citation.

The division deployed back to Iraq in February 2004 and took control of the Al Anbar province in western Iraq. They were the lead unit in Operation Vigilant Resolve and Operation Phantom Fury in 2004.

In the early morning hours of January 26th, 2005, a CH-53E Super Stallion used in the transport of 30 of the division's Marines, along with 1 sailor, crashed in Ar Rutba, Iraq, killing all on board. An investigation is under way to determine the cause of the incident.

As of early 2006, the division is once again in Iraq as the ground combat element for I MEF in the Al Anbar province.