Messages

1

General Discussions / Re: LVTs in the Pacific (and Europe)

« on: October 03, 2018, 08:46:37 pm »

I had opportunity to help maintain and drive an LVT(A)5 Modified which places that variant high on my "to do" list.  I'm kit bashing / converting some LVT(A)5 Modified kits in 1/72 and 1/35.  I even have the later style track support rollers 3D-printed in both scales.  With Rubicon's release of an LVT(A)4 and LVT4 I will also be doing the same in 1/56. 
The LVT3 is the only variant on which I do not have a pile of data.  I have only a reproduced copy of the Technical Manual and information supplied in various other references.  However, if I can source track and suspension components from current kits, a 1/56 LVT3 may be worth investing the effort towards a scratch built hull.

2

General Discussions / Re: LVTs in the Pacific (and Europe)

« on: October 03, 2018, 10:16:15 am »

I'm on board for an LVT1, or a few. 
It would not take much effort to offer an LVT(A)5.  Add counterweight to the barrel, add turret basket along with motors/controls inside to provide the powered and gyro-stabilized turret. Finally, add the suspension from the LVT4 and we have an LVT(A)5.  I believe some made it to Okinawa but with end of the war there were less than 300 produced.
It would be awesome to have an LVT3 but, that will require a lot of effort for a vehicle that only saw action on Okinawa. 

3

Wish Lists / LVT1 the first AmTrac

« on: October 02, 2018, 10:12:19 pm »

An addition to the release of the FMC designed/built family of LVTs that is/has not been produced in this scale is the original AmTrac - the LVT1.  It was the vehicle that allowed the USMC to develop it's mechanized amphibious doctrine and was the vehicle that participated in all the initial battles of the Pacific campaign as well as actions in the Aleutians.  The options of variant are limited to the cab, whether it is the early version with widely spaced windows or the later with windows closer together or a cab with attached boiler plate armor as seen on LVT1s that landed on Tarawa in November of 1943.
Given the small production and its use essentially only in the opening stages of WWII it may need to be done in resin/pewter.  However this would still fill a gap in the lineage of LVTs that exists in all scales and mediums today.

4

Introduce Yourself / Re: Introduce Yourself Here...

« on: October 01, 2018, 08:54:24 pm »

Greetings all,
   Name is Daniel and currently live in Tulsa OK after being mobile in a career in the Marine Corps.  Between that and school my building time was nearly non-existent.  I am overdue for some modeling to catch up on all the kits/projects acquired during my hiatus from building.  I have several themes in my collection but the primary one is AmTracs, LVTs and AAVs in any scale of any version.  Only caveat being I stick to USMC LVTs and AAVs.
   I’ve built only one 1/56 model.  It is Rubicon’s Sdkfz 251.  I was thoroughly impressed with the detail, how well the parts fit and overall build of the kit.  It was good enough that there are now several kits I’m mulling over as to which of these gems will be next to assemble.  Of course, announcement of a family of LVTs shot those to top of the list but, there are several other projects I have in mind.
   Hobbies outside of models are reading, mostly military history, flying when time and finance miraculously align (I’m also a private pilot), exploring new places with a habit of being drawn to vineyards and distilleries for some unknown reason, traveling to new places as well as turning wrenches on planes, tanks or tractors.

5

Work In Progress / Re: LVT Project - LVT Decal Sheet 180818

« on: October 01, 2018, 09:15:17 am »

Looking forward to adding some of these to the hobby desk!
Recommendation in regards to decals, I believe "BEAUTIFUL QUEENIE" should be in white and if there are corresponding stripes to that vehicle they should be blue (based on other vehicles in 5TH Landing Vehicle Tractor Battalion).  I've only seen the poor black and white photo of "BEAUTIFUL QUEENIE" which makes discerning color difficult however, there is original color footage of 5TH LVT Bn during Operation Detachment.  5TH LVT Bn was assigned Beaches Blue One and Blue Two, with the LVTs being painted accordingly.  For the assault however, Beaches Blue One and Blue Two were deemed fouled or unusable and thus 5TH LVT Bn landed on alternate beaches.
3RD LVT Bn assigned Beach Green
5TH LVT Bn assigned Beaches Blue One and Blue Two
10TH LVT Bn assigned Beaches Yellow One and Yellow Two
11TH LVT Bn assigned Beaches Red One and Red Two
2ND Armored Amphibian Bn - individual companies were assigned to support LVT Battalions.
Markings, beach or unit were not consistent across units.