Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Sea => Topic started by: 35th-scale on September 18, 2015, 08:10:51 PM
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Hi Guys, firstly I’d like to apologise for the slightly disjointed nature of this post. This is a project I've been working at off and on for the last few years more for fun than anything else. I’ve taken all the updates from another forum and combined into a single post. Was actually a bit surprised to find I had started it back in 2012!
It started when I bought this small set of marine vehicles in 1/350 scale, when getting the Trumpeter USS Independence (never got it finished either). Technically they should go with the Wasp LHD, but I thought they looked cool.... might build a small beach landing diorama as I got a pair of LCACs also.
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Models/WIP/Small1.jpg)
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Models/WIP/Small2.jpg)
The only changes I made were to the two howitzars. Made in accordance to the instructions they have the legs in travel mode and the barrel in firing mode. A little surgery and I now have one each in full travel or firing mode. But then I swapped them and the trucks for more LAVs and AAVs
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Models/WIP/Small3.jpg)
The vehicles were base coated and then I started on the LCAC. At this stage it was only dry-fitted but you get the general idea and the scale from the little Humbrol tinlet:
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Models/WIP/LCAC2.jpg)
Plus I attracted an audience. At least he had no hairs to shed on any wet paint:
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Models/WIP/LCAC1.jpg)
With the first LCAC complete...just need to dirty up the deck with tyre and track marks....not that much will be seen when it's loaded
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Models/WIP/LCAC6.jpg)
The vehicles almost ready. The left one in each pair has been weathered:
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Models/WIP/LCAC5.jpg)
So went back to this fun project which has been stalled. Took one of the MH60S from the USS Independence kit:
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Models/WIP/MH60s.jpg)
Trying to mask and paint those windows nearly killed me! The tip I got, as it's all clear plastic, is mask the windows then undercoat in black before the grey coat. This will give the impression of an interior...allegedly! We'll see how that goes.
The other LCAC is actually coming along quite well to be in the lowered off-loading position. Paint was wet so I didn't move it to photograph.
At this point my plans got bigger. The current thoughts to do an A4(ish) or even A3 size dio of a beach landing. So had to get the Marine Air Support set so I can have Harriers flying close support....plus more vehicles
I knew there were limits on an LCAC load:
12 HMMWVs per sortie
4 LAVs per sortie
2 AAVs per sortie
1 M1A1 per sortie
4 M923 per sortie
2 M923 5-Ton Trucks,2 M198 Howitzers, and 2 HMMWVs per sortie
Very interesting information and pictures at: http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/navy/landingcraft/lcac.html (http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/navy/landingcraft/lcac.html)
The sets are Trumpeter sets TP64005 (2 x LCACs) TP64004 (8 vehicles x 2 of each) and TP64003 with Cobras, Harriers, Sea Knights, MV-22s and Sea Hawks. Packaging on each though is branded MRC.
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps5b660fed.jpg)
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps193c0660.jpg?)
Will do the second in wheels down/hellicopter config. And ordered another pair of LCACs and order more Abrams & AAV7s
as well as Cobras & Harriers for air support.
Now we’re up-to-date. The previous bits were over 4 years but finally starting to take is seriously!
Through purchases, swaps and donations the fleet has been growing and has now reached critical mass. Time to start working on it seriously. So now it's at 2 LCUs, 5 LCACs, lots of vehicles and an air wing of 2 Harriers, 2 Cobras, 4 MV22s and 6 MH60s
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Models/WIP/BB650D57-5286-4409-89CA-B9243B10918D_zps4auzhwbv.jpg)
More updates to follow in short order I hope
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Very nice!! :)
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That is an impressive effort :)
I don't normally like 1/350 anything but a big WOW for your efforts and I look forward to more progress posts :) ;)
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Great looking set! I have most of these kits; this is inspiring me to work on mine.
The LCACs look amazing; they could easily pass for the 1/144 version.
Where did you get the LCUs? Were they part of the Wasp kit?
I really wish Trumpeter & Co. would stop molding every aircraft in clear. That plastic is so hard to work with.
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Thanks Gents.
The LCUs came from friends doing LCD builds. One i sod some vehicle & aircraft swaps for and one was donated very kindly.
I dont mind the clear aircraft. By painting inside and masking the windows it gives a sense of depth to the tiny windows
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looking interesting. Nice work so far
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Thanks Cam....still playing with it as a break from the Buffalo
Preparing the rest of the LCAC fleet:
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Models/WIP/7FAE63EA-6CC0-454D-AB0F-997E724BA966_zpsycsdiqab.jpg) (http://s213.photobucket.com/user/35th-scale/media/Models/WIP/7FAE63EA-6CC0-454D-AB0F-997E724BA966_zpsycsdiqab.jpg.html)
Cut the front of one of the cushions and a lot of sanding to lower it so it can be posed unloading with the ramp lowered
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Models/WIP/004196D7-D216-405E-BB7F-1EC2866D2DD7_zpslnxyrjbt.jpg) (http://s213.photobucket.com/user/35th-scale/media/Models/WIP/004196D7-D216-405E-BB7F-1EC2866D2DD7_zpslnxyrjbt.jpg.html)
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Man, you're crazy! :-\
But in a good way! ;)
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Ha ha, thanks Wombat. I prefer to think of it as being different.....in an origional and inovative way 8)
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In 1/350th? ???
Nope, definitely crazy! ;)
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There's just something about hovercraft...
Even when they're not full of eels.
Looks like an exciting and epic project that seems apace to become quite the show-stopper!
Brian da Basher
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In 1/350th? ???
Nope, definitely crazy! ;)
Can you imagine trying to do this in my preferred 1/35? :)
Thanks Brian....and like all epics its going to take a long time!
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Beautiful work so far. I'm really tempted to acquire some of those 1/350 LCACs and look at making the PGAC's of James H. Cobb's Seafighter.
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In 1/350th? ???
Nope, definitely crazy! ;)
Can you imagine trying to do this in my preferred 1/35? :)
Yup! :D
Also my preferred scale. :)
It'd be absolutely awesome! 8) :-*
BIG, sure, & somewhat costly but indubitably absolutely awesome! ;)
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And grounds for divorce 😉
Anyway, the fleet continues to grow...
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Models/WIP/E063659F-5FDF-4AAB-BCA7-EA2DF2D49294_zpshc8oo52n.jpg) (http://s213.photobucket.com/user/35th-scale/media/Models/WIP/E063659F-5FDF-4AAB-BCA7-EA2DF2D49294_zpshc8oo52n.jpg.html)
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As a break from the Buffalo slat I got back to this one. Started putting the air wing together. Given the size I couldn’t mask the windows so very slowly with a very fine brush painted around them. Quite happy with how they came out. Rotors are just dry fitted at this point. Some more detail painting and weathering to do next, as well as a lot more aircraft. There are also a few decals to go on.
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Models/WIP/27D090D9-E695-4A6A-9A9B-382CA2994BEB_zpsd9hwp3kn.jpg) (http://s213.photobucket.com/user/35th-scale/media/Models/WIP/27D090D9-E695-4A6A-9A9B-382CA2994BEB_zpsd9hwp3kn.jpg.html)
And the rest of the vehicles base coated. This is about half of what I will be using. Also managed to do the wheels on the Humvees. Still lots more wheels, tracks, windows etc to do….
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Models/WIP/B0B6CC60-A985-43BA-B8E7-CE1D401CD76E_zps4j0o1x9k.jpg) (http://s213.photobucket.com/user/35th-scale/media/Models/WIP/B0B6CC60-A985-43BA-B8E7-CE1D401CD76E_zps4j0o1x9k.jpg.html)
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They're going to need CAS!
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc69/35th-scale/Models/WIP/34725201-6591-4D1C-BC78-868F66760B59_zpspqple6gk.jpg) (http://s213.photobucket.com/user/35th-scale/media/Models/WIP/34725201-6591-4D1C-BC78-868F66760B59_zpspqple6gk.jpg.html)
the air wing will be:
2 Harriers
2 Cobras
3 MV22
1 CH53E
6 SH60
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Been delinquent posting on this :(
Is going well,,, very much interested and watching to see progress postings.
Commendable effort; charge ahead :)
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And the insanity goes on! ;D
Actually, I should be collecting an air wing for my USS-Intrepid-becomes-HMAS-Adelaide whif. ::)
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Yes Wombat, I've not been cured yet, but I'll keep taking the pills :D
Been delinquent posting on this :(
Is going well,,, very much interested and watching to see progress postings.
Commendable effort; charge ahead :)
Thanks Finsrin, but I'd hardly describe any of my progress as "charging"...but I'll certainly plod along.