by Dec Sibley

Developed by the Baktoid state factories and sold to the Trade Federation as part of the F Echelon Vehicles for deployment into hostile areas, the Anti Air Gun and Missile Tank (AAGMT): nickname LIGHTNING BOLT, was the primary weapon for Anti air cover from all types of hostile craft.

Based on the conventional tank hull, the AAGMT has been heavily modified. The hull-mounted launchers have been removed; the front station has been reworked to house the large target tracking radar. The small side guns on the body and the auxiliary arms have been deleted. The turret sits further forward as the rear hull has been shortened to allow the top heavy vehicle to remain stable and balanced when firing. The turret has had the main armament replaced by the auxiliary guns now doubled to fire in tandem at a rate of 1000 bursts per barrel per minute. The huge rear of the turret has forced the commander's hatch to be modified. The large bulk of the turret is to accommodate the target acquisition radar and cooling unit for the launch CPU. These items support two SA55 “Bolt MkII” hyper velocity missiles. These missiles are self contained in their launch tubes and jettisoned after firing, replacement tubes loaded from a support vehicle. The four barrelled gun can be trained independently from the Missiles and can be used to engage ground targets.

This vehicle would have prevented the breakout of the Naboo ships had the Trade Federation not withdrawn them back to the host ships under the false assumption that the planet was secure.

The model is based on the AMT Trade Fed Tank the main changes are as listed above. Lots of filler and plastic card to change the body shape especially around the reduced hull rear. Another Trade Fed tank provided extra guns. The two radars came from 1:16 Tamiya Gepard. The other kit parts used are from:

• Small scale Boosters from Space Shuttle by Academy.
• Italeri Duce and a half truck.
• AMT Stap with Droid.
• Tamiya German observation troops.
• Heller Ariane ESA rocket.
• Esci T55.

The finish was achieved with a number of spray cans to save time then top coat and weathering with airbrush. Guns, missiles and final details done by brush. First primer then a coat of spray can Silver. Watercolour masking fluid was dabbed on in irregular patches before the next can of dark grey, this too treated to the masking fluid. Over this came the final top colours, using an Orange and cream variation to the brown panels on the conventional AAT, but still showing Marking similarities. The disposable missile tubes were left free from weathering and satin varnished after some spare decals were used to add panel information. The removal of the mask was done by rubbing with an old cloth before gluing the assemblies together and weathering with paint and graphite pencil.

Image: Side view

Image: Weaponry

Image: Rear view

Image: Weapons stowed

Image: Turret detail

Image: Armed for bear