A DUKW by Any Other Name

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Italeri 1:35 DUKW Amphibious Truck (6392)

While I’m waiting for a few tanks I ordered to come in, I decided to build an older kit I had in my stash. I’ve liked the DUKW since I first road in one at the Wisconsin Dells. There is just something lovable about this vehicle. The kit is from 2002 and the detail is “soft” in some spots but I think it will build into a nice representation. First let me say, I really hate the plastic this kit was molded in. It scratches easily, seems resistant to Tamiya Extra-Thin then suddenly just melts and sanding is difficult, but after awhile you learn to live with it.

A little primer makes a big difference.

I’m going to have to do something with the dashboard.

2

You’ll enjoy this build. It makes a nice large addition to the collection. All ya need is a little something in the cargo bed for some visual interest.

3

Thanks. That’s a great idea. I was thinking that is was looking very empty. I ordered the Verlinden DUKW Cargo set and a DUKW Instrument placard from Archer.

Alan

4

Sunburned tourists!

Thats a nice kit. Didn’t Monogram make one way back?

5

No, Monogram made the M29C Amphibious Weasel. The basic M29 Weasel could not swim. But it was a superb all terrain tracked vehicle for muddy or snowy conditions where all others would bog down. Add a flotation and steering kit and you get the swimming C model.

6

You’re doing a great job with all the issues you described.

Toshi

7

You could always add a scratch-built engine too.

It can be a really nice model, with a little work. I built one for a customer about 10 years ago.

8

The DUKW is looking good!

9

She’s looking really good!

Funny I keep buying Pacific War stuff but still don’t have one of these or a LVT.

10

Thanks Stik that’s the one.

This is a cool build. And it sure is big!

11

You’re gonna have a blast. It’s a nice kit with lots of possibilities. I built these two years ago.

12

Looks good.

We have a gentleman that brings his restored one out to the Vets Helping Vets picnic every year here. Another guy has a duece and a half rigged out with a 20mm(de-miled) in the bed.

13

oh you GOTTA have some LVTs! Those suckers are big next to most other AFVs of the same scale.

GM, you’re welcome about the info. I actually have the DUKW, Amphibious Weasel, Ford GPA, a LVT(A)-1 and LVT-4 all sitting next to one another on my shelf of “WWII swimmers”. I still have the LVT(A)-4 and LVT-2 to build in my stash. I guess I watched Victory At Sea a few too many times…

14

Nice subject, its good to see one of these being built.

15

Way cool! Yep, first thing I thought of was The Dells. I bet those things are money pits to keep running after all these years.

16

Thanks for all the comments and encouragement.

Some goodies came in today.

A lot of the tops to the jerry cans are broken in the resin set but the other pieces look pretty good.

17

Glenn, That’s what I thought, but this summer I road on one in Boston (yup real touristy but I couldn’t resist) and asked the driver about maintenance. Sadly, he informed me that very few DUKWs in these tourist spots are actually original Army surplus. I guess they have them made to “DUKW” specs so they are relatively new. Makes sense I guess.

Alan

18

How about a LARC ?

19

LARC? That does not ring any bells with me…

20

It is actually a LARC-V (Lighter, Amphibious Resupply, Cargo, 5 ton) and was not developed until the 1950s, so post WWII. It was designed to bring supplies from ship to shore and then continue inland, like the DUKW. It basically replaced the DUKW.

It is still in use today.