Sabot Miniatures

SABOT Miniatures LLC specializes in miniatures, figures, paints accessories and books for the discerning scale modeler and figure painter. We carry a growing assortment of miniature, paint and accessory lines, many of which are not carried by anyone else in the United States. We were formerly SABOT Publications LLC, and produced 22 reference books on mostly modern United States military tanks and vehicles. Feel free to browse our website and check out our selection. If you have any questions, please contact us!

Brett Avants was born in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1988 and served as a Scout Platoon Leader in Operation Desert Storm. He was awarded the Bronze Star for starting the Battle of 73 Easting, basically picking a fight with a Republican Guard Division and living to tell about it. He married his high school sweetheart Karen Beatty right after they both graduated. Brett was also an operations officer for the CIA, teaching pastor at a small church plant, and now has settled down as a marketing executive in St. Louis, Missouri. Brett holds a B.S. in Engineering/Military History, MA in Leadership Development, and a ThM in Reformed Theology.

Brett has been building models since he was 7. He has written numerous articles on modeling, and published a book on figure painting in 2000 through VLS, which went through 3 printings and is currently out of print. Brett is an award-winning and internationally-recognized armor modeler and figure painter. As co-owner of SABOT Publications, Brett has also published 22 books on modern U.S. Army armored vehicles.

Jim Rice was born in Chicago in 1968. He has been married to Melissa Arceneaux of Thibodaux, Louisiana for 31 years and has a daughter Jessica. Jim is a former U.S. Army Physician Assistant (PA). After his second combat tour in Iraq and 21 years of service, he retired to life as a civilian PA. Although, he is retired, he continues to practice Emergency Medicine part time.

Jim and Melissa currently live in a small country town known as Raceland, Louisiana. Although they are only 45 minutes west of New Orleans, they enjoy the country atmosphere. When Jim is not helping run SABOT Miniatures, seeing patients or painting figures, you can find him chasing after speckled trout and redfish.

Jim is the newest addition to SABOT Miniatures and is an award winning sculptor and painter. His work is recognized internationally, and collectors from all over the world appreciate his work.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT DECEMBER 20, 2019

It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that we announce James Rice, well-known figure painter and sculptor, will be joining SABOT Miniatures LLC as a partner and owner along with Brett Avants, effective January 1, 2020. Jim brings to SABOT a powerhouse of talent, knowledge and ideas.

SABOT Miniatures LLC, originally founded as SABOT Publications LLC, started in January 2016 as a publisher of full-color, high quality photo reference books for the scale modeling community. In June 2019, we switched gears to SABOT Miniatures LLC. Our focus is still, as it has always been, to improve the world of scale miniature modeling through top quality products, outstanding service, and world-class skill-building and education.
SABOT Miniatures LLC is quickly becoming one of the top miniatures companies in the United States. We carry many unique figure lines from all over the world, and offer our customers exceptional customer service with one of the largest in-stock selections anywhere.

“SABOT Miniatures is not just a seller of fine miniatures, but we want to be a force for good in the figure and miniature hobby, providing exceptional products, service and educational/skill-building programs as well,” explains Brett Avants. “Jim’s world-class talent and skills, his ideas and his love for painting and sculpting will be a tremendous asset to SABOT and for the hobby.”

“I am excited to join SABOT at this critical juncture,” said Jim. “SABOT is already a successful company, but we are going to be doing things no one is doing in North America to include bringing in the best product from all around the world, providing regular support to our local and national level shows and to offer educational opportunities to help grow our individual skills. Our intent is to give back to a hobby that as given us so much.”

As exciting as these times are, it is with great sadness that we announce that Chris Mrosko, a founding member and owner of SABOT Miniatures LLC, formerly SABOT Publications LLC, has stepped down from the company. His resignation was effective October 31, 2019. Chris is a well-known armor modeler and expert on armor and uniform subjects across the world. He was instrumental in helping to create SABOT Publications, publishing 22 armor-related photo reference books during his time with the company. Chris will still continue to produce award-winning and world-class armor projects. However, a lot of his time will now be spent with his 2 new grandkids.