RAMs PBR 31 Mk.IIs

[Old Wombat]

Yes, PBR 31 Mk.IIs.

There are two of them currently under construction simultaneously in the Wombat Boatyard.

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about;

This is the kit:




The real thing:




If you've seen the movie "Apocalypse Now" half the film is based aboard a PBR 31 Mk.II.

They're going to, eventually, be joining my FSBR & SpORT boat (& the Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle (PACV*) now, too) in a Vietnam riverside diorama.


I may do one of them OoB, as a USN boat & crew on secondment to the RAMs.

The RAMs boat(s) will receive some minor modifications &, probably a different paint scheme.




[*: Surprisingly, the PACV isn't that much bigger than the PBR.]

[LemonJello]

Subscribed. Following. Liked. Bookmarked. And whatever other terms can be used to describe being highly interested in where this build goes.

[Kerick]

Subscribed. Following. Liked. Bookmarked. And whatever other terms can be used to describe being highly interested in where this build goes.

Wot 'e said!!!

[Buzzbomb]

Very interested. Built one of these and it is a viceless, satisfying kit.

But what you will do to "value add" makes this even more interesting

[raafif]

  Interesting. I guess the lower section of the hulls are molded in red as per the old Perkasa kit  (which I must get back to restoring).

[Old Wombat]

Thanks for your votes of confidence, gentlemen!

But what you will do to "value add" makes this even more interesting

Don't expect too much, BT, I did say "minor modifications".

Interesting. I guess the lower section of the hulls are molded in red as per the old Perkasa kit  (which I must get back to restoring).

Nope, the whole thing is in a very dark olive-drab styrene - the instructions call out either red or black for the lower hull & the RW images show that black was the most common lower hull colour.

[Buzzbomb]

Thanks for your votes of confidence, gentlemen!

But what you will do to "value add" makes this even more interesting

Don't expect too much, BT, I did say "minor modifications".

Bahh... I am expecting at least a 20mm or a surplus Saladin Turret ( ok thats a tall order )

[Old Wombat]

Thanks for your votes of confidence, gentlemen!

But what you will do to "value add" makes this even more interesting

Don't expect too much, BT, I did say "minor modifications".

Bahh... I am expecting at least a 20mm or a surplus Saladin Turret ( ok thats a tall order )

I refuse to either confirm or deny reports that 2 x Dynamo 1/35 Vietnam/WWII M55 Quad Machine Guns [2in1] (DY-35DM001) are en route to the Wombat Modelling Establishment, & if they are ... 

 ... It's all YOUR fault, BT! 


 

[Old Wombat]

Oh, man! This has just become my theme tune for this build! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0U769v6acU

[Buzzbomb]

Two good choices.

Plan to have a Sea build up shortly as well, I have the Airfix E Boat that is at the "what to do, what to do" stage.

Current thinking is changing to Quad tube trainable torpedoes amidships and a forward mount of the Henschel 293 (or similar) as an early Missile boat.
Once I get the quad mount printed and test fitted (like your quads  ) away we go.

[Old Wombat]

Interesting idea. 

The FSBR started off life as a 1/72 Airfix E-Boat, & the SpORT Boat started out as a 1/72 Airfix Vosper 73' MTB. 

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Thanks for your votes of confidence, gentlemen!

But what you will do to "value add" makes this even more interesting

Don't expect too much, BT, I did say "minor modifications".

Bahh... I am expecting at least a 20mm or a surplus Saladin Turret ( ok thats a tall order )

I refuse to either confirm or deny reports that 2 x Dynamo 1/35 Vietnam/WWII M55 Quad Machine Guns [2in1] (DY-35DM001) are en route to the Wombat Modelling Establishment, & if they are ... 

 ... It's all YOUR fault, BT! 


 

Welcome to "Club Shred!"   

Two M45 MMGC on a hull that small will eat up a lot of available space.  So much fire power though.  More Guns = More Better!





***Edit to add link--jjf

[Kerick]

Move the cabin area aft and make more room for the guns!

[Old Wombat]

The plan is only one M55 per boat, in place of the twin-50 turret (which I may look at moving to the stern, if I can figure out how to). 

[Ramba]

Looking forward to seeing the quad .50's in place.

[Kerick]

You’ll need to tow a barge full of ammo!

[Old Wombat]

Nah! She'll be right!

[Buzzbomb]

Looking forward to seeing the quad .50's in place.

What he said.. really looking forward to it

[Old Wombat]

Paused on the boats, Working on the quad-50 mounts.

Their bases (including the trailer bodies) are, actually, smaller than the twin-mounts. So, I'll remove the existing borders for the twin-mounts & replace them with squares of styrene sheet (deck reinforcing plates ).

The main parts of the M55 are in Dragon's typical softish grey plastic & are easy to work with.

While the 3D-printed parts from Dynamo are exquisite! The support connections are almost microscopic & require little, if any, clean-up, & the level of detail is fantastic.

But I am going to have to paint before I go any further, otherwise there will be parts that will be blocked by other parts & will cause issues if painting post-construction.


Oh, yeah! Almost forgot! I'm building 8 x US Jerry cans to go with them (let's see who can guess why.

[LemonJello]

Oh, yeah! Almost forgot! I'm building 8 x US Jerry cans to go with them (let's see who can guess why.

3 quick guesses:

1. expanded ammo cans for the quad .50s
2. brass collectors for the quad .50s
3. water/oil reservoirs for cooling the barrels of the quad .50s

[Old Wombat]

Oh, yeah! Almost forgot! I'm building 8 x US Jerry cans to go with them (let's see who can guess why.

3 quick guesses:

1. expanded ammo cans for the quad .50s
2. brass collectors for the quad .50s
3. water/oil reservoirs for cooling the barrels of the quad .50s

Give that man a cigar! Got it on the first try!


[Re: Option 3: They're M2HBs, not Vickers .50-cal's. ]

[Old Wombat]

OK, got further than I expected tonight! 

Cut the tops off the 8 jerry cans - ready for a bit of hollowing out.
Got the rings for the twin-turrets out - so they're still useful if I, or someone else, finds a use for one/more elsewhere.
Fitted the deck "reinforcing plates" to the foredecks & fitted the M45/55 trailer bases to the centre of them.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

OK, got further than I expected tonight! 

Cut the tops off the 8 jerry cans - ready for a bit of hollowing out.
Got the rings for the twin-turrets out - so they're still useful if I, or someone else, finds a use for one/more elsewhere.
Fitted the deck "reinforcing plates" to the foredecks & fitted the M45/55 trailer bases to the centre of them.

@Guy; The twin BMG mount was trialed on the M3 and M5 Stuart if you are looking for a place to use it on a future project. 





***Edit to include M3 Stuart--jjf

[Old Wombat]

No rush, Jeff. Something weird & wacky will come to mind one day.

[Old Wombat]

Putting bolts on the deck reinforcing plates.