Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Sea => Topic started by: Old Wombat on April 08, 2026, 05:17:02 PM

Title: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1) - Finished (for now) - Pic's Pg.3
Post by: Old Wombat on April 08, 2026, 05:17:02 PM: The Royal Australian Marines, that is! ;)

This is half of the build I'm doing for the Operation Downfall GB over on WIM.

Where I'm at right now;

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-GWXxqwZ/0/NCdpt54gdZFZGnZvMbCcwmGCM85NSNtCj6nZDfrdM/X3/DSCN9515-X3.jpg)

72 of those little PE angle iron strakes. Almost as bad as doing indi-link tracks! ... Almost!
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Buzzbomb on April 09, 2026, 05:29:00 AM: Nice... not seen a lot of these built so very keen.
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on April 09, 2026, 08:03:29 AM: Trumpeter or Italieri LCM kit?
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on April 09, 2026, 05:53:33 PM: Thanks, BT! :smiley:

Quote from: Jeffry Fontaine on April 09, 2026, 08:03:29 AM
Trumpeter or Italieri LCM kit?

Trumpeter.

I've read enough to know it may have some issues BUT it's what I could get at the time & it seems to (thankfully) have less reinforcing angle-iron ridges than the Italeri kit. ;)
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on April 12, 2026, 10:47:06 PM: I think not having touched plastic for six months has messed with my modelling (over-)confidence because, for a relatively simple build, this one is really taking a long time to kick into gear! :-\

And it hasn't been helped by the fact that, realising that this is going to go into a diorama, I need to include a crew - including the coxswain.

So I've been hunting through my figure sets for the parts to smash together into a Franken-cox to go into the pilot house.

I've also been working on mod's to the pilot house & the gun positions.

I hope to get three, maybe four builds done over the next few months ... At this rate I'll be lucky to get this one done! :o :o
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Buzzbomb on April 13, 2026, 05:30:45 AM: Quote from: Old Wombat on April 12, 2026, 10:47:06 PM
And it hasn't been helped by the fact that, realising that this is going to go into a diorama, I need to include a crew - including the coxswain.
So I've been hunting through my figure sets for the parts to smash together into a Franken-cox to go into the pilot house.

I have this set, well most of it, I have used a couple of figures. You are welcome to it if it helps. Although they are dressed for more cooler weather than Japanese summer.

(https://www.kingkit.co.uk/uploads/shop/large/30620P1010015.JPG)
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on April 13, 2026, 11:42:30 PM: Nah, it's fine, mate! I've bodged up a cox'n using bits from various figures from a MiniArt British Jeep Crew Set (35051) & some Aves.

Looking at photo's of WW2 RAN crewmen I discovered that the early iterations of the old No.8 & 8a uniforms were created for service in the Pacific Campaign

(https://www.shrine.org.au/sites/default/files/2020-08/Image%204%20-%20RAN%20sailors%20c%201945.jpg)

So far this is the only image of the No. 8s I could find online (a bit earlier than my era)

(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRArW5OmpzMD0RRRKMRyjKPwGvJgY7n45UmQ&s)

However, there's a fair chance the uniforms in the older photo are sand/khaki in colour, rather than blue.
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on April 14, 2026, 01:04:40 AM: This is the uniform I'm basing mine from - except with long trousers.

(https://scontent.fadl6-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/506526275_10232344199741293_3804236445493381574_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=e06c5d&_nc_ohc=tsPkKbsZCYoQ7kNvwHS7qNZ&_nc_oc=Adr0MRorqFiVVpDc6Ntb9raMpjyhqp3N7j5fbSkQJtmGeAMCs93a6E7U1GEn01ziA_Q&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fadl6-1.fna&_nc_gid=bazq1TMPyqbjW9a6ukpePw&_nc_ss=7a389&oh=00_Af1oq_12rqar_Z-mG7jSSKi3WaftA9Dqea8uVLLuDVGEzw&oe=69E306E6)
From: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10228428077280679&set=pcb.3698323413771187 (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10228428077280679&set=pcb.3698323413771187)
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on April 17, 2026, 12:23:57 AM: Where I'm at;

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-dhkHd8s/0/NJj3QPsjCwJZ4LStkncSqtPhs5NDRGsPMwtvjVBnf/X3/DSCN9517-X3.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-t4wrGFn/0/LFn6LsQ6Rn5WCCFzf6bSrXZBPc88sMW95PvJdfWRH/X3/DSCN9519-X3.jpg)

Actually, I've added some dark brown wash to the wheel since the photo's. so it doesn't look quite as "clean".
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Claymore on April 17, 2026, 02:05:56 AM: (https://i.imgur.com/pzraCz7.gif)
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on April 17, 2026, 02:34:41 AM: :D :smiley:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Buzzbomb on April 17, 2026, 04:39:13 AM: So tick off the easy bit :smiley:

Looks the business
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on April 17, 2026, 04:51:50 PM: Thanks, BT! :smiley:

In all honesty, the whole kit part of the build should be the "easy bit", it's the figures & few mod's that are going to be the challenge.

We'll see how it pans out! ;)
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Frank3k on April 17, 2026, 10:40:34 PM: That came out great! I love the brass dials.
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on April 17, 2026, 11:20:14 PM: Thanks, Frank! :icon_alabanza:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on April 19, 2026, 04:59:13 PM: Back onto the build, this gives an idea of where I'll be going with the pilot house & guns;

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-3Ds8QwF/0/LqMdHjQbkSdJShhL8G5WTfPCLRJdr24kWjvn9rMN7/X3/DSCN9520-X3.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-Bw2BVjr/0/LsLPmxrChwcKLKQWBd3fs8GnFFrsG2MNVwmQWK8z7/X3/DSCN9521-X3.jpg)

Full steam ahead & damn the torpedoes! ;D
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on April 24, 2026, 02:02:51 AM: Movement is happening!

Puttying. Sanding. Repeat. Primer. Some of the first top-coat painting.

Nothing worthy of photo's.
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Dr. YoKai on April 25, 2026, 06:55:12 AM: Looks pretty nice so far.
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on April 25, 2026, 02:07:50 PM: Thanks, Doc! :smiley:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on April 28, 2026, 07:36:36 PM: This could be a bit macabre but here we go;

Petty Officer coxswain's head
(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-pPv5jc2/0/M8hFwDzb8dw8JL5DVMWFGnT9jSHTWCTk5XG9G3zBW/X3/DSCN9525.1-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-pPv5jc2/0/M8hFwDzb8dw8JL5DVMWFGnT9jSHTWCTk5XG9G3zBW/X3/DSCN9525.1-X3.jpg)

Leading Seaman gunner's head
(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-qtWrchv/0/KpQ6nhg9rGTPBN7tHLnbrBwcMNH48LFqjkVhXFSmC/X3/DSCN9542.1-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-qtWrchv/0/KpQ6nhg9rGTPBN7tHLnbrBwcMNH48LFqjkVhXFSmC/X3/DSCN9542.1-X3.jpg)

Able Seaman gunner's head
(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-p38Xtbw/0/KsfFfVVSndLCjNCwM6TcZBqXgjCSLmJpBWXHD7v9R/X3/DSCN9544.1-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-p38Xtbw/0/KsfFfVVSndLCjNCwM6TcZBqXgjCSLmJpBWXHD7v9R/X3/DSCN9544.1-X3.jpg)

The first of each image is much larger than the actual figure heads & show far too many painting errors, still I'm not really a figure painter so I can live with it, the second image shows the head at close to real size (on my screen, anyway).

Now, a quick few questions for a quasi-poll;

A) Do I paint the LCM in one colour?
B) Do I paint the LCM in a splinter scheme?
C) Do I paint the LCM in a swirly/wavy scheme?
D) Do I paint the LCM in a blotchy scheme?

If you have an opinion, answer A, B, C, or D ... I will look at the answers in a few days & make my decision (which may/may not reflect the results of the quasi-poll).

Thanks for dropping by! :D :D :D :smiley:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on April 28, 2026, 08:51:10 PM: What paint/colour scheme for the LCM? I would have to say that would depend on when and where for the most part.

Keeping it simple would be to just stick with one colour and be done with it. So I suggest A as your option.
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Buzzbomb on April 29, 2026, 06:46:41 AM: For one, I like how the heads came up, that style works perfectly well for figures setting a scene for a vehicle.

Colour scheme, really any are appropriate, pending the where and the when, but as I know where and when, the Splinter style B is perhaps more in my taste
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on April 29, 2026, 03:01:00 PM: Jeff, the when & where is, basically, described in the first post; it's Operation Downfall, so Japan, late-1945 ... Maybe a delayed version in late-1946.
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on April 29, 2026, 09:08:46 PM: The Petty Officer cox'n completed;

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-Cz96Dsb/0/LfxMWVJ67Vt7VQ5kJHp6R5gV8WJ3qJMqTstqSJkBR/X3/DSCN9548-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-Cz96Dsb/0/LfxMWVJ67Vt7VQ5kJHp6R5gV8WJ3qJMqTstqSJkBR/X3/DSCN9548-X3.jpg)

2nd image = about life-size (on my screen) or about 4.8cm or 1 ²⁹/₃₂".

The lanyard leads to a pistol (holster) on his right hip.

Amusingly, all this effort & you'll probably only be able to see the top of his head clearly. ::)
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on May 02, 2026, 10:31:46 PM: Well, today has been a step backwards. :icon_crap:

I noticed some depressions behind where I'd glued the exposed "ribs" supporting the tops of the sides of the vehicle hold while I was doing some weathering effects.

Not a big deal, just a quick PSR session to fix them up, bit of masking & a quick re-spray.

Yeah! Right! ::)

PSR went fine. Re-spray was easy ... But the paint, a different jar of the same colour (Medium Sea Grey) used previously was, at least, two shades lighter! :o :o

Looks like I'll have to do a bit more masking & re-spray the rest, again, to get the colour right.

Procreating male offspring of a female canine! :icon_twisted: :icon_twisted: :icon_twisted:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Claymore on May 03, 2026, 02:56:41 AM: I’m particularly liking the severed heads - although I now realise they are for the crew and not to adorn the side plating. Moving on…

My vote goes to the splinter paint scheme. :smiley:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Buzzbomb on May 03, 2026, 06:04:06 AM: Gaaaah.. batch difference in colour.. that does suck. should not happen, but does.

Sounds like close to some more boat pix :smiley:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on May 03, 2026, 11:06:05 AM: Quote from: Claymore on May 03, 2026, 02:56:41 AM
I’m particularly liking the severed heads - although I now realise they are for the crew and not to adorn the side plating. Moving on…

You, my friend, have given me a very good idea for a post-apocalyptic version of the LCM ... I may need to buy another! :D :o :-\
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on May 07, 2026, 12:03:34 AM: Moving not-quite-slowly & steadily forward. 1st camo colour is on! :D

Now modifying the masking for camo colour #2.
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on May 08, 2026, 05:51:19 PM: Camo is done - needs a few touch-ups, though.

Here's a teaser;

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-LGhr4r3/0/K7NNzxjFmJndCt8ctbKvDWbkCTmJxMRLGLrK3CW2S/X3/DSCN9549-X3.jpg)

PS: Every colour on there is "grey". ;)
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Claymore on May 10, 2026, 02:17:48 AM: More, more my good man, more I say! >:( :smiley:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on May 11, 2026, 12:59:24 AM: Oh-kay, if I have to. ;)

Added a bit more DSG. Looks better now.

Still a bit of touching up to do, though.

A couple more teasers, just for Claymore:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-Cq2pwmb/0/LXQzkxtbmr25sQh9v4tTb7DtjQZLz7C2Bgxj7cVf3/X3/DSCN9550-X3.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-dqQJQKK/0/LJFGt2h3pQL6NBNH2jwqpMzZZntsrf8vxvhNCjP5d/X3/DSCN9551-X3.jpg)
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on May 12, 2026, 10:16:20 AM: I've glued the PO Cox'n into the wheelhouse, so that sub-assembly is sitting to one side while the glue dries/sets.

I used thin CA to get a quick fix & have added a big dollop of Clear Gorilla Glue to form a more permanent bond.

Next will be fitting the hold into the hull.

Proper movement! :-\ :smiley:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Claymore on May 13, 2026, 10:19:19 PM: Thanks mate and things are looking great - although I can’t quite make out yet where the 15” turrets are going to go… :-\
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on May 13, 2026, 10:26:55 PM: Quote from: Claymore on May 13, 2026, 10:19:19 PM
Thanks mate and things are looking great - although I can’t quite make out yet where the 15” turrets are going to go… :-\

They'll be mounted one twin turret astern of the wheel house & one twin turret at each corner of the cargo hold in a quasi-pseudo-Dreadnought lay-out, as I can't get one with a clear arc of fire from within the cargo hold. :smiley: ;)
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Claymore on May 13, 2026, 11:14:06 PM: Perfect! ;D
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on May 14, 2026, 11:31:56 AM: OK, that was fun ... :-\

Two days to get the cargo hold in! It sat perfectly when dry fitting it but the moment glue was involved ... Nope, not on your Nelly! :o

I had to clamp everything down in at least 2 dimensions & even cut away some of the styrene support under the partially glued-in hold! :icon_twisted:

Ended up with a few more paint touch-ups to do & there are a couple of minor spots that will just have to become part of the weathering. ::)
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Buzzbomb on May 14, 2026, 12:42:37 PM: But... its done. :smiley:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on May 14, 2026, 02:01:18 PM: That bit. Yes. :smiley:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: apophenia on May 15, 2026, 02:51:16 AM: Quote from: Old Wombat on May 14, 2026, 02:01:18 PM
That bit. Yes. :smiley:

And it was a 'win' (since no 4-dimensional clamping was required) ;D
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on May 15, 2026, 06:19:58 PM: Time for a pictorial update, methinks! :smiley:

Gun emplacement armour plate is fixed under the deck with sprue-goo (still drying), & the deck is only dry-fitted until I get the gun mounts fitted, then I can glue that in place.

Enjoy! ;)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-7Qj4gV4/0/LPCkm6ZBt5db4B2b2ZWxNHstNDkZtCtpH5zfP54HQ/X3/DSCN9555-X3.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-DktWJsh/0/NNCK5ThVmFFHxHjTtfBXJhX2hCHsH2ffjtB9czN7B/X3/DSCN9554-X3.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-LdDk96P/0/NV33CxrHbMLVj42gG46w9SmJHtrRkCxr2LjJt8S96/X3/DSCN9552-X3.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-LJMxNHm/0/NTBHWppgNLv38ktbRcTNsFStM42RfsMLR57npBqsq/X3/DSCN9553-X3.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-jH9RnRB/0/MCFsgnR5zJCrZpg8pFZrcWMztgxb5fSLZpzKxJzhf/X3/DSCN9558-X3.jpg) (https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-PdqtDdf/0/Mz58Hr8m568v8wRK7b2KJDMmrz7pgXXQV8XfwJFZn/X3/DSCN9557-X3.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-fzjBnXC/0/Nbh5GsddhtRPws7sr6q3L6svPPMs4KzgXzRDHzMQf/X3/DSCN9559-X3.jpg) (https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-rcv9KtX/0/M5pXSvcGPm9Qq24p7BgJWmNfBXJZhszZwFk53D5xP/X3/DSCN9560-X3.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-cpPbzQc/0/MJ26QCQD8W8rcp26Z2HjjP4JcHcrmXkJ3ZSjdxg6n/X3/DSCN9561-X3.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-bVGnGzs/0/NcKFxJJnxRg7w6phdDRPf6nrXpq2GfC8Pn6sRHkKR/X3/DSCN9556-X3.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-KMcp334/0/MWr7J53HTCJ4htgMjs9JTWKc2j9Nhj6rZQ3zKBKNC/X3/DSCN9566-X3.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-M6ZzwJn/0/M3wzbgHjD6GqJv9MTpzH3kb3wJcQ3jznCmGJKqs2P/X3/DSCN9562-X3.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-f3qrB8g/0/LdDZjpdJXd67WLtBg7cDnfQqXgP2RmJwBjX5r8DGF/X3/DSCN9567-X3.jpg)

Hopefully that wasn't too exhausting! :))
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Frank3k on May 15, 2026, 10:51:18 PM: That looks great! The paint job and masking is outstanding.
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on May 15, 2026, 11:03:05 PM: Thanks, Frank! :icon_alabanza:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Claymore on May 17, 2026, 02:07:22 AM: Great work and the coxswain’s position, in particular, is excellent - although you would have to be barking mad to stand there with nothing more than a few mm of steel between you and the entire German Army!
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on May 17, 2026, 12:16:17 PM: Quote from: Claymore on May 17, 2026, 02:07:22 AM
Great work and the coxswain’s position, in particular, is excellent - although you would have to be barking mad to stand there with nothing more than a few mm of steel between you and the entire German Army!

Thanks, mate! :icon_alabanza:

But this guy's facing off against the entire Japanese Army during Operation Downfall (it's for a GB over on WIM) with only a few mm of steel for protection - at least I've given him some overhead cover, too. ;)
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Claymore on May 17, 2026, 04:22:49 PM: Of course, Japan, what an eejit… :-[
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Kerick on May 17, 2026, 04:43:33 PM: Quote from: Old Wombat on April 13, 2026, 11:42:30 PM
Nah, it's fine, mate! I've bodged up a cox'n using bits from various figures from a MiniArt British Jeep Crew Set (35051) & some Aves.

Looking at photo's of WW2 RAN crewmen I discovered that the early iterations of the old No.8 & 8a uniforms were created for service in the Pacific Campaign

(https://www.shrine.org.au/sites/default/files/2020-08/Image%204%20-%20RAN%20sailors%20c%201945.jpg)

So far this is the only image of the No. 8s I could find online (a bit earlier than my era)

Remember McHalles Navy TV show? Check the back row center bald guy. It’s Tim Conway!

(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158086760716336)
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on July 01, 2026, 10:46:26 AM: Proof of Progress:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-tg5wdKp/0/KckZDCXdjg8CvrxrJTSjqQ8Z6Pvp2fdFvBQtMfJ2m/X4/DSCN9568-X4.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-WggXvNz/0/MG2ct35GKRqhT96BWCqwFGwbs6PGjT4GqFw3PkLp7/X4/DSCN9569-X4.jpg)

[Click on images for larger view]

Slow going!

Had to find an alternative to the wire I wanted to use for the ramp hawsers (ended up being some very nice mercered cotton thread I have in the stash (usually used for sewing leather goods)
Had to make 2 sets of .50 cal machine guns (the 100-round ammo cans on the first set were too big, so I had to go with 50-round cans) - all beautiful little kits in their own right
Got AMS on the fire extinguisher & re-built the entire top & tube to match period photos
Rebuilt the cockpit/wheelhouse cover attachments 3 times to get the removable top high enough to not hit the skipper's hat & strong enough not to break with (minimal) handling
Agonised over decals, trying to find suitable decals in the stash, revising my initial idea a couple more times & finally settled on what you see here (there is a logic to them)

Hopefully I'll get the weathering done in time for the end of the GB on What If Modellers - I know I won't get the crew finished.
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Kerick on July 01, 2026, 11:24:10 AM: It looks pretty done to me! You could enter that and add more parts later.
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on July 01, 2026, 11:33:51 AM: Thanks, mate! :icon_alabanza:

Doesn't need parts, just some relatively light weathering (mostly to hide paint defects ;) ).
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Buzzbomb on July 01, 2026, 02:26:00 PM: Just a thing of beauty... terrific job :smiley:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Claymore on July 01, 2026, 02:48:38 PM: Great job mate. It looks stunning! :-*
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on July 01, 2026, 11:15:21 PM: Thank you, gentlemen! Greatly appreciated! :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on July 02, 2026, 12:31:20 AM: Gloss coat on in preparation for the weathering. :smiley:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Frank3k on July 02, 2026, 02:27:55 AM: I love the camo! Great job overall and nice, subtle weathering. The ramp cables look great.
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: apophenia on July 02, 2026, 04:38:40 AM: Quote from: Frank3k on July 02, 2026, 02:27:55 AM
I love the camo! Great job overall and nice, subtle weathering. The ramp cables look great.

Indeed. A thing of beauty (of the brutally practical sub-set) :smiley:

Looking forward to the final weathering job :D
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on July 02, 2026, 09:52:18 AM: Thank you, too, gentlemen! :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza:

Weathering was going to start today because the weather is ... well ... crap & makes outside house work impossible, but I've been called in for an extra shift this afternoon & one can't say "no" to double pay. ;)

OK, I could say "no" but;
I put my name down for the callback;
it's Day 1 of a 4-days-off block, so losing one won't hurt (too) much; &
I could use the money (mostly to cover the excess spent on modelling kits & supplies recently)
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1)
Post by: Old Wombat on July 05, 2026, 02:50:13 AM: OK, I'm calling her "done for now"!

As usual I went overboard on the weathering. :o ::) :-[

I have to replace the charging handle on one of the .50 cal's, then I'll take photo's ... Later. After I've had a sleep. It's 0415hrs here.
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1) - Finished (for now) - Pic's Pg.3
Post by: Old Wombat on July 07, 2026, 03:33:08 PM: "Testing! Testing! ... One! ... One! Two! ... Testing!"

OK, we seem to be up-&-running!

Right, this is huge. Let's see what happens.

LCM(3) A42;

The forty-second Australian manufactured LCM(3) of the first production run, she was built at the Port Pirie Boat Yards in South Australia in early 1942.
Her first posting was aboard the LSA (Landing Ship Assault) HMAAT (His Majesty’s Australian Auxiliary Transport) Austral Hakea (AH) from which she engaged in landings at Milne Bay, Goodenough Island, & in support of the Buna-Gona, & Salamaua-Lae campaigns.
A42 then underwent a short overhaul in Brisbane before being posted to HMAAT Austral Orchid (AO) from which she took part in several landings in support of the New Georgia & Bougainville campaigns. Her final action in this region was transporting New Zealand troops ashore in the opening actions of the Battle of the Treasury Islands.
After this landing Austral Orchid was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine but managed to stay afloat. However, she was required to sail to Sydney to receive major repairs & here A42 was again offloaded for an overhaul.
She returned to duty aboard HMAAT Southern Ibis (SI) but, this time, she headed NNW into the Pacific, where things were quiet until June 1944, when she took Royal Australian Marines (her usual role) ashore on Saipan. This was followed by a burst of activity landing RAMs on Tinian & Peleliu.
Southern Ibis, & A42 were then rushed across to the South Western pacific region, again, for the landings on Mindanao, Leyte & the early phases of the Philippines campaign. After which she landed troops at Tarakan & Balikpapan, with the “Sandakan Dash”* occurring between the two in early May.
A42 was damaged during the landings at Tarakan & by the time she had finished landing troops at Balikpapan was struggling. So, after being roughly repaired, spent several months plying stores from ship-to-shore or along the coast from the main stores’ depot to front-line depots during the Borneo Campaign.
However, in October 1945, the first attempt at Operation Downfall was defeated by a series of late typhoons that swept through the North Pacific, dispersing the amassing fleets, damaging many ships & washing supplies overboard.
This led to a reschedule for the 10th of February, 1946, as the new X-Day for Operation ~~Olympic~~ Majestic, & to A42 returning to frontline duty.
Picked up from Tarakan by HMAAT Austral Eucalypt (AE), which had lost almost all its LCMs during one of the typhoons, she was hastily refurbished, with most attention given to replacing her worn out .50 cal machine guns, stripping & re-building her engines (as there had been no proper maintenance facilities along the Borneo coast & the crew had had to “make-&-mend” with whatever could be found), & making sure she had a decent set of identifying markings.
Austral Eucalypt, her compliment of 4Bde Royal Australian Marines Armoured Corps & A42 were assigned to the V Corps (SW landings) reserves, along with the battle-hardened 2Div RAMR & the 2Div USMC.
The US Army forces of V Corps, after a successful landing the west coast of southern Kyushu, were stopped in their tracks, by unexpectedly fierce opposition along the Gotanda River valley & by flank attacks from the mountains south of the Mount Kanmuri area. Although their eastwards assaults were going well, there was sufficient resistance that General Eisenberg (commanding) was unable to reassign troops to bolster the northward thrust. He, therefore, directed his reserve forces to attack the Japanese north of the Gotanda River. In effect General Eisenberg's orders meant that the Marines had to land north of the Sendai River, about 9 miles up from the Gotanda.
Rear Admiral John Collins RAN was in overall command of the ships of the reserve fleet &, with his 2IC, Commodore Roy Dowling RAN, & the commanding officers of the US & Australian Marines units planned “Operation Crystal Palace” (because it was so fragile a strong breeze could see it come crashing down).
The plan called for the 2nd US Marines Div to land between a place called Nishikata, to the north, & the mouth of the Sendai River, to the south, & to push inland along the north side of the river. Meanwhile the 2nd RAM Div would land about 6 miles further up the coast, at a place called Akune as a blocking force, to disrupt any attempts by the Japanese to reinforce the units engaged by the US Marines. There would be no preliminary bombardment but the fleet would provide supporting fire as best they could & there would be limited air support
The landings occurred at first light on the 14th of February 1946, in what became known as the Second St Valentine’s Day Massacre because, despite its unexpected success – largely due to the insane courage displayed by both Australian & US Marines, the cost in lives was devastating.
A42 was, on that day, the oldest surviving Australian LCM in active service, the other two having gone down with HMAAT Southern Brolga in Shibushi Bay on X-plus-1, when she was struck by two Kamikaze aircraft in quick succession.
She would not last much longer, however, her crew sacrificing her & themselves when they found themselves in a position where they were able to block a kamikaze speedboat targeting Austral Eucalypt off the beaches of Sagami Bay.

The images show A42(AE) landing a Mk.VII* Churchill tank of 4Bn RAMAC on Wakimoto Beach, Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan on 14th February 1946.**

[*: The "Sandakan Dash" was an "unauthorised" action undertaken by elements of the Australian Army's 7Div 2AIF & 1Div RAMR. Whilst certain senior commanders "looked the other way" two scratch battalions of soldiers & marines, plus a few companies of specialist units, were pulled together & rushed to Sandakan near the northern tip of Borneo. Their sole aim was to rescue as many of the POWs, that special operations units had observed there, as possible. The resulting battle was short & vicious, costing the lives of over 100 Army & Marines personnel & 300 wounded, but saved the lives of a few short of 800 British & Australian POWs. The tales told by those men, & the sights witnessed by the troops who took the camp, led to a hardening of resolve & attitude amongst all arms of the Australian military.]

[**: Yes, I know there's no tank in the pictures, but there will be! OK?]

LCM(3) Number A42(AE) on X-plus-4, Operation ~~Olympic~~ Majestic, Phase 1 of Operation Downfall.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-c8L5vX4/0/LN69Hzxw89Rq5Q5Z7VhVQ3x9rpfPkBvzZBqnDWmBf/X4/DSCN9572-X4.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-LhkRxG7/0/M8dhLQQd35srmkRWbsLjNZ8VTnmf3X8zZ4BrVthSx/X4/DSCN9577-X4.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-jr5tCXP/0/M8xsTnsPRrx5KLkBn2ccwrv3RxXcq2Bbq54k5pDdR/X4/DSCN9570-X4.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-CPqNNHx/0/LJ7tN34qgkTwJ25LfPWK7NPMBtTBMS3Q6W4s6xZ2T/X4/DSCN9580-X4.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-J4x6rTT/0/MgrzhHwGKWLp95pKSVPRh5FG3kkxNBZXwvchrsgXp/X4/DSCN9574-X4.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-c8FRqcR/0/MBdCpDK57LTjSD9HgQLpsdgGFbLXbkzbJsmcM59k6/X4/DSCN9579-X4.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-PGgF2KD/0/LH4qkFG8hSXdgXwbDPdh9tx43NnzWJbxNM7BFvxVV/X4/DSCN9573-X4.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-H7h7KLP/0/NTmFqkb3NXVS9dvrGjDH4wCn4hFCxbMdFn3TvMszK/X4/DSCN9578-X4.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-KcSBRfw/0/LqB3FvT2sDWQfpw74GTvSGf7bdBtWgQqC8Bftf7sH/X4/DSCN9571-X4.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-g6hCKhr/0/Kq8v7m9frXmCVDWqCDBmX5x8Nbg5XHkz9qcmmPSdq/X4/DSCN9576-X4.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-PxMTCPw/0/Lrxjp24j4jXLc4z7XnkRWPjn8QTpRLGH8Bs3Rb5HS/X4/DSCN9584-X4.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-thvrgMJ/0/M7Z2R8wP8gkV6tFWktcHg63LZVzrDX8R6m2zpf87m/X4/DSCN9575-X4.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-KsjMDZ9/0/M2hv3X7PbhRmC93GkDDFJJJgf7CvfNTDw5vpT6zmV/X4/DSCN9585-X4.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-dSPCzsZ/0/MSc5rqFGP7VnhhjtznXSfp94LxKrvkPthfKB8vpSz/X4/DSCN9586-X4.jpg)

Alright, here are a couple of shots with a Sherman to give you the idea.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-PQkjkSm/0/LzRrHNgtCXtwSszrmchCgGKrPQHwhXksC8PHH4vgZ/X4/DSCN9587-X4.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAN-LCM3-Landing-Craft/i-GCCZXQh/0/LRLDCxZW3mpHGCTqCpHwKxTkR5GHtM2ZrmzvxLgWN/X4/DSCN9588-X4.jpg)

(Note: In case you're wondering about the Olympic/Majestic name change, during my research for this I discovered that the name Olympic was dropped & replaced with Majestic after the Olympic code name was compromised by an open, uncoded, transmission, the context of which identified its meaning.)
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1) - Finished (for now) - Pic's Pg.3
Post by: Buzzbomb on July 07, 2026, 06:55:43 PM: Very, very nice :smiley:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1) - Finished (for now) - Pic's Pg.3
Post by: Old Wombat on July 07, 2026, 07:48:58 PM: Thanks, BT! :icon_alabanza:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1) - Finished (for now) - Pic's Pg.3
Post by: LemonJello on July 07, 2026, 08:38:14 PM: So good! You can almost smell the sea air and engine fumes through the pictures.
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1) - Finished (for now) - Pic's Pg.3
Post by: Old Wombat on July 07, 2026, 08:53:32 PM: Thank you, LJ! :icon_alabanza:
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1) - Finished (for now) - Pic's Pg.3
Post by: Frank3k on July 08, 2026, 12:48:09 AM: It really came out great!
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1) - Finished (for now) - Pic's Pg.3
Post by: Claymore on July 08, 2026, 02:56:05 AM: Wow, great work. A42 looks stunning, Bravo! :smiley: :-*
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1) - Finished (for now) - Pic's Pg.3
Post by: apophenia on July 08, 2026, 03:40:35 AM: Quote from: LemonJello on July 07, 2026, 08:38:14 PM
So good! You can almost smell the sea air and engine fumes through the pictures.

Beautifully summed up :smiley: Excellent work, Guy!
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1) - Finished (for now) - Pic's Pg.3
Post by: Kerick on July 08, 2026, 07:56:11 AM: Excellent build all around! Paint job is really good considering plain grey would have been all that would be required.
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1) - Finished (for now) - Pic's Pg.3
Post by: raafif on July 08, 2026, 08:11:22 AM: Lovely job, Wombat :smiley:

Was it supossed to have a kedge-anchor ? How would it un-beach itself ?
Title: Re: Here Come the Marines! (Part 1) - Finished (for now) - Pic's Pg.3
Post by: Old Wombat on July 08, 2026, 10:52:38 AM: Thank you all very much, gentlemen! :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza:

She had her moments but overall a fun build. ;)

Quote from: raafif on July 08, 2026, 08:11:22 AM
Was it supossed to have a kedge-anchor ? How would it un-beach itself ?

No kedge anchors. I read most of the operators manual for the LCM(3) whilst building this & developed a massive appreciation for the skills required by the coxswains piloting these things.

Everything was engines & rudders, & the feel of the sea.

This is Chapter III (Know Your Boat) of "Skill in the Surf: A Landing Boat Manual";
https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/s/skill-in-the-surf-a-landing-boat-manual/chapter-iii-know-your-boat.html (https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/s/skill-in-the-surf-a-landing-boat-manual/chapter-iii-know-your-boat.html)

This is Chapter VI (The Coxswain Takes Over);
https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/s/skill-in-the-surf-a-landing-boat-manual/chapter-vi-the-coxswain-takes-over.html (https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/s/skill-in-the-surf-a-landing-boat-manual/chapter-vi-the-coxswain-takes-over.html)