Any LCU kits out there?

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

Hey everyone,

I’m embarassed to say I do not have or have done many ship kits…that will change, promise,…but I was wondering if I could ask a question of you ship experts.

My brother in law is a retired Navy Capt… As we were talking the other day, I found out he was in command of an LCU (Landing Craft Utility) at one point in his career. I thought it would be a great gift to build one for him with the number of the ship he commanded.

Are there any kits of LCU’s out there? I have done some research and can not find any. I’m hoping someone will know if there are any out there and maybe kit numbers and such for them.

Many thanks in advance.

2

The Lindberg 1/125 scale “D-Day LCT” kit is mis-labeled-- it is actually a model of a 1950s era LCU. The old Lindberg kits aren’t very detailed, and can be full of inaccuracies, but are often the only game in town.

The era of the LSU that you want to build will have an impact on how much scratchbuilding/conversion work you may need to do… depending on how accurate the finished product needs to be, of course.

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Since you are talking brother-in-law, I believe we can safely say that you are looking for a 1610 or 1627 class LCU, and to my knowledge there are no models of this craft in any substantial scale. And I’ve looked. I had a plan to rework one to support SDV operations, but like I said, could not find one either. BUT, I could be wrong, as the 1610 and beyond classes have senior non-commissioned officers as craftmasters. So unless the Captain was a mustang . . .

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Thank you rc for the response. I was thinking it was going to be a converion project at best. LOL! Thank you for your help!

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Thank you deep sea for the response. He did mention that the LCU’s did not have “names” like other ships that they were just numbers. I can not remember what ship he commanded. He did mention the number but I can’t remember what it is. LOL!

Thanks again for the help. Much appreciated.

6

Orange Hobby makes some 1:700 scale LCUs

I guess being 1:700 scale makes them not substantial.

1:350 scale LCUs are included in the LHD kits of the Wasp, IwoJima & Kearsarge. IIRC, at one time HobbyBoss had carded 2-packs of both the LCU and LCAC kits that were part of the above kits. I have seen the LCAC available, but I have not seen the LCU available for several years.

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My apologies to anyone offended by my “substantial” comment. It was meant as a size indicator, not a criticism of the scale or anyones work in those scales. Again, my apologies.

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Thanks for the response Ed…I was hoping to do a build for him but it is turning out to be difficult. And with ships being out of my comfort zone (I do a lot of palnes and armour) I’m thinking a major conversion would be the answer.

Thanks again!