other than the pbr what did they use that i can model in 1/35 scale?
I believe there is a Swift boat out there, but I’m not sure of the scale. I built one back in 1971.
The Revell/Monogram PCF is listed as 1/48 scale, though this may not be the actual scale of the model (judging by the armament and crew figure, it looks a bit bigger than this - maybe around 1/40?)
Dragon make a LSSC in 1/35 scale, other than that I don’t know of any other 1/35 Vietnam naval/riverine subjects! However, some riverine monitor craft were based on WW2-vintage LCM hulls, so a Trumpeter or Italeri 1/35 LCM kit could be converted to one with a lot of scratchbuilding work.
Might want to check and see if they used the LCVP in later years, know the French and Veitnamese used them to some extent
I don’t know your scratchbuilding abilities but scratching a Riverine craft really isn’t that difficult. I’ve built two Monitors and basically they’re composed of straight lines and angles, plus a few cylinders for gun tubs. For Monitors you have to do some balsa carving for the bow, but not to worry: balsa’s cheap. If you decide to do a Tango boat don’t use the available LCM models, as the Tangos were converted from the LCM-6, not the 3.
Good luck
How about some 1/32 scale fiberglass hulls? Microglass makes fiberglass hulls for the PBR MKI and PCF Swift boat in 1/32 scale. The hulls come with plans. You’ll have to scratch build or kit bash the rest.
I too have been playing with a Monitor or ATC (Armored Troop Carrier) idea. They can be made from the Trimpeter or Italeri LCM 3 models, with a few mods to the hull. The LMC 6 was 56’ feet long, LCM 3 was 50’ long. It is easy to stretch (just as the actual boats were stretched) either model by adding 6 scale feet, 2.05 inches or 52mm in 1/35, to the center of the hull. This reminds me, I need to get going on mine again.
Here is a site that shows scale blue prints and drawings on most (if not all) of the different boats used.
Sorry Grandad, US didn’t use any LCVPs there. I believe all the French and Vietnamese boats were LCM3s as well.
Good luck.
Accurate Armor makes a fantastic 1/35 resin Monitor with pe, but at $600+ it will never grace my display case [:(]
Actually Gino, the French and Vietnamese did, I just don’t know how much they carried into later years when the US was more heavily involoved
Actually, there’s another major mod to make to the LCM6 hull to build an ATC, ATC(H), CCB, or MONITOR - it needs to be sponsoned out about 21 scale inches on either side. This sponson formed a shelf for the foam filler behind the rebar “armor”. The LCM6 had a beam of 14’, while the MRF types were 17’ 6". For a more extensive description of this construction and the rationale for it, check out Norman Friedman’s U.S. Small Combatants, pp. 325-364.
I drew a set of 1/16 scale (3/4" to the foot) plans for M-91-2 based on NAVSEA drawings and photos a number of years back. It includes the lines and sections. They’re available at: www.coastalforcesplans.com
Al Ross
my scratch building is not good (just started on minor things) i was thinking an easy conversion out of an italeri or trumpeter landing craft. did they use landing craft with morters and mg’s on them as gun boats other than the monitor set up?
also what is the name of the song on the pbr page?
If you mean on the site for RG533, it’s “Suicide is Painless”. This is the theme song for both the movie and tv show “M.A.S.H.”
Al Ross
The US did not use them in any other configuration. The French and S. Vietnamese used LCM3s (Trumpeter and Italeri) and apparently (as the above pics show) LCVPs (Italeri and old Lindberg) as gunboats and mortar boats. These were used before the US was invloved in Vietnam in large numbers, pre-'64-ish.
Nimix made a Monitor Mk 5 available at http://www.rjproducts.com/Catalogs/Nimix/Nimix.html
i think (headach factor included) i will just stick with building a pbr
You are a man after my own heart! The Tamiya PBR is a grat build. Just be careful with those tiny ports for the side of the hull.
Got a friend who is a Special Warfare Combat Crewman (SWCC), the Navy’s modern version of the Brown Water Navy. He is getting me a lead on the use of the LCM-3 in early Vietnam river ops by the US but only 3 were ever tried before they were replaced. Initial experimental designation was LCM-P (Landing Craft Mechanized-Patrol)
Seems it had the .50’s mounted but with the modern “U” shaped gun shield, a canopy over the wheel house, and an M60 mounted port and starboard amidships. He found a limited description by accident but we are having trouble finding pictures. I have an Italeri kit on the shelf and may build it based on what I have of the description. I am all about accuracy but since alot of the units bastardized their boats anyway it leaves some room for artistic license and kit bashing fun.
Another easy Brown Water Navy project is my latest creation. It is a 1/72 PTF “Nasty” class patrol boat. I kit bashed the Revell PT-109 and the old Airfix MTB kit. There are tons of plans and photos on the net. I am considering converting the bare bones Lindberg 1/32 PT-109 hull to a 1/35 PTF Nasty. Have a fine Navy day! [tup]
Hi. I just picked up this 1/35 scale Program 5 Command and Control Boat last week at a model show. It is all resin. I can not remember who made this kit, as I bought it from a guy who had it in a plain box. The detail is great and I only paid $199.00 for it. I guess that was a good deal. It has been going together very easily. Here are some pics. If the pics don’t work let me know.
Dave
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c109/davemh/100_0613.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c109/davemh/100_0612.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c109/davemh/100_0611.jpg
Thats a nice kit for the price, especially in 1/35. I think he made a mistake and you got a good deal!
if you are looking for some thing a bit bigger why not look in to the PG 88 USS Crockett a river gun boat made for NAM.
Dumas makes it, its 1/39 but close enough. you can RC it or do a static model. after you finsh it put a crew on it using the 1/35 figures converted to navy. some guys use parts off the PBY’s and the extras from tamiya figure sets.
goood luck
RETIRED NAVY< the only way to go