What's in the box? LCVP, Lindberg, 1/32

Before Italeri came up with a new large scale LCVP there was only Lindberg's in 1/32. Although it is not state of the art it isn't that bad, it can absolutely be more refined by an ordinary builder but going the Lindberg way to get a stunner is somewhat masochistic. By today's standards this is a toy but maybe you got it for nothing or you want to build the model you built a man's age ago, I say build it! There are 90 parts of light grey styrene; you'll have it built and painted in a weekend. Mark Gloor did a good job on his LCVP.

Single piece hull, inside.

Single piece hull, outside. The ribbed structure on the sides are complete and do not need any further assembly other than some small details.

Decals for one individual LCVP, printed paper sheet for signal flags.

Falkland conflict ended 30 years ago

I guess many people have what to call their "own" war, the ones that made a visual and historical impact on them. One of mine is the Falkland conflict that ended 30 years ago, on this day. Of course, I did not participate in it but just like the first Gulf war this one was real, it happened right there and then, it wasn't just old history from way back.

I will not get into the politics or the history of the conflict, you can read about it on the internet and in books and make up your own mind about it. The Wikipedia article on the topic seems to be extensive although I can not say for sure if there are any omissions, faults or the like. Wikipedia also have a couple of extensive articles on the British naval forces as well as the Argentine naval forces in the conflict.

Well, what amph models are there if one wants to have a piece of Falkland history? In my collection I haven't got much from the conflict but Airfix' HMS Fearless in 1/600 can be found, as can Hobby Boss' LVTP-7 in 1/35. So at least I have one model from each nation directly involved in the war.

The Fearless model is a bit basic and heavy but can be fixed with some TLC. Check out this one that Andy Mullen did, or Frank Spahr's. There are a few small landing crafts included in the kit just screaming to be painted in tiger stripes just as they were in 1982, and Frank did that! Typical camouflage painting can be seen here. Some one should make a British LCVP in 1/72 or 1/35 and a box full of Royal Marines to go with it! Or are there already one out there...?

Two LCUs and four LCVPs are included in the box.

The Hobby Boss LVTP-7 is complete from head to toe, no more scratching if you want an interior for your Tuna Boat. Missing Lynx has a nice review on the Hobby Boss AVVP7-A1. Basically it should be the same model as the LVTP-7 but with some exrta details to bring it up to AVVP7-A1 standard. The Osprey New Vanguard #30 on Amtracs has a colour profile and a short explaining text to it, this profile can also be found at the Malvinas Online site together with some nice photos of the real vehicles. The Hobby Boss kit have small anchor and flag decals one should be able to use, the vehicle number should be found in the decal spares box or masked and airbrushed on. Add a bit of dark green paint and you're done (I think...).




I haven't compared the Hobby Boss and Academy LVTP-7 kits but I guess it should be possible to use the latter as well.



In this footage from the invasion one can spot some small landing crafts of the Argentine Navy, looking like good old LCVP of Higgins type. Anyone having any information on them, like colours and markings? A few sequences also confirms the very few markings the LVTPs had. A blurry sequence shows some LARC-V from the ARA Cabo San Antonio driving up the beach. After having seen this film we may add LCVP, LARC-V and LST to the list of things to model from the conflict. Also in use during the conflict were the Centurion BARVs brought to shore by the LCUs attached to the HMS Fearless and her sistership, HMS Intrepid. Check out this restored one, it's by the way same as at the Centurion BARV page. At the Model Shipwrights page you may find a nice semi-scrached model, click here and here.




If you feel like doing a bit more of reading I recommend the Amphibious Assault; Manoeuvre from the Sea, and Amphibious Warfare Vessels. Both books have been presented at this blog.

Showcase; Airfix LCM 3 & Sherman, 00-scale

IJN Daihatsu Landing Craft

Since the post on the paper Daihatsu landig craft I did a bit of more googling and found some intresting information on the said vessel. A japanese page containing a number of photos from the use can be found here. Pacific Wrecks have a couple of photos of the real thing today, could be useful if scratching one.

The bow is said to be of a twin design in order to stabilize the craft while beached. Source of drawing is Taki's home page and there is plenty of Japanese amphibious things to find out about if you click Vessels under the IJA Weapons title, as well as a few amphibious tanks if you click AFV.

Related goods; IJN Paper Landing Craft

Found this nice Daihatsu landing craft of WW 2 vintage at the Paperkraft page. Just print out, a bit of fancy scissor work, glue it together and sit back and enjoy. Well, that is the theory at least, I think I have to try this one myself. Photo from the Paperkraft page.

On the bench; LCM 3, Operation Torch 1942, part 8

I thought I was too tired to work on my Torch project tonight but I did well anyway. Put a coat of Vallejo olive drab all over the truck, inside and out. After that I picked all bags out in different shades of olive greens. Added a bit of tan and yellow sand as I went in order to break up the load's uniformity.

Of course I had to test the truck in the cargo hold to see how the colours went with the landing craft's white and dark grey. Just perfect! Now all is about wrapping the whole thing up. In this photo you can see the little handles I made yesterday.

On the bench; LCM 3, Operation Torch 1942, part 6

Loaded my GMC truck tonight. Lots of small sacks are the reason for the 6x6 to hitch a ride to the beach. Rolled a long fat string of Milliput and made about 50 sacks. In order not to make a too heavy load I lined the insides of the cargo hold with Milliput and put a lid of plasticard before covering the whole lot with my little sacks. I'll let this dry a day or so and then start next painting session. Pressed the end of a brush handle to sculpt each end of the sacks to make them stand out a bit more. A bit of water was taking the finger prints away as Milliput tends to show such blemishes quite well.

On the bench; LCM 3, Operation Torch 1942, part 5

Just have to show you all I'm not sleeping but doing my best to finish this LCM. A bit of filtering and rust staining were done this evening. About time I start on painting the GMC 6x6 truck.

By the way, I got a Trumpeter LCM 3 in a parcel from UK today. Now I got all parts for a new LCM project in 1/72. Eh, you say I'm busy doing something else? Yes, I got Trumpeter's LCM in 1/48 half built and waiting for the Torch tub to cross the finish line.

On the bench; LCM 3, Operation Torch 1942, part 4

I had set my mind on doing a red LCM code on the bow, just like the one in the head of this blog. The individual LCM in the photo is by the way same as Revell has included in its boxing of Italeri's LCM in 1/35. However, I changed my mind for two reasons: I will do another British LCM in the future with a red code and the one I finally choose is rather unusual. So, I did a bit of measuring on a photo copy and drew a small sketch in actual size on a piece of paper.

This sketch was pondered upon and decided to be of proper dimensions. A few pencil lines were drawn on the model.



A very fine brush, a bottle of Vallejo Model Air Black and some time later I had my code on the model.

This was repeated on the starboard side as well. Same size, same dimensions. There is a bit of retouching to do before totally done.

I have no idea if this code was placed on the stern or any other place but no other LCM from the Torch landings seems (as far as I can conclude from photos I have seen) to have had a code on any other place than on the sides.

Now, on to the fun part: weathering!

On the bench; LCM 3, Operation Torch 1942, part 3

This LCM project is taking so much longer time than anticipated. Just can't find the time so finish it but slowly I'm getting there no matter what. Since last time I have painted the decks dark grey. Gave up the idea to air brush it as there are too many small ribs and things sticking out everywhere and it is a tough job to mask it all. So, what do you do? You go old school and pick up the small paint brushes and spend an hour doing it like all painting used to be done way back. Mask the bottom hull and front ramp I did however and this time it was air brush time!

After a bit of Vallejo black grey and true black I ripped the masking off and this is the result. Here you can also see the wheel house padding painted a bit. Next job will be to mask and paint the bow markings. Starting to see a finish line way over there...

On the bench; LCM 3, Operation Torch 1942, part 2

After a good base layer of black I airbrushed brown earth in a grid pattern to break up the monotony.

As you can see the hull has now a layer of white in a number of shades. A compact layer wouldn't be fun to watch so I had to work on it a bit .

Now I'll let everything rest a couple of days, have a new look at things, touch up areas I think need a bit more paint and then carry on doing the top sides. Dark grey, anyone?

Showcase; Pegasus Hobbies LCVP, 1/72

What's in the box? Pegasus Hobbies LCVP, 1/72

Tonight we have come to the Pegasus LCVP in 1/72. It must be intended as an easy build for war gamers as there are not many pieces in the box. In total there are 13 pieces plus a vacu formed water base adding a sense of drama. A bonus are the 15 soldiers and three crew all cast in soft green plastic.The funny thing is if compared to the Airfix/Heller kit this one do have its good sides so one should not give up on it too fast. Although it would take any builder about less than five minutes to build it, not taking care of the finish or painting, it is actually a really nice rendering of the Higgins boat. The only real short comings are the propeller and bow ramp hinges. The cast is a bit heavy and rough on the hull sides but is easily taken care of. All in all this is a basic but quite correct kit. BUT if you want to go an extra mile for this one it would include ramp raising mechanism, new machine guns, new propeller, struts for the coaming, towing eyelets and ramp hinges. There are no decals included, nor painting instructions. I painted mine using Vallejo Intermediate Blue as a base and faded it a bit here and there. For decoration I used an extra set of Airfix decals I had in my archive.

A book; Amphibious Assault, Manoeuvre from the Sea

Amphibious Assault, Manoeuvre from the sea, edited by Tristan Lovering

If only buying one book on amphibious operations this would be the one, that's for sure. Covering the history of landing soldiers on a hostile coast in the old days to the recent actions in Iraq this hefty piece of old school information is not something you read while taking a bath but rather sit down by a table reading it as the text book it is on how to do it as a professional. A lot of text, a large number of good maps and a fair dose of photos makes up a must have if you're seriously bitten by the amphibious bug. Read more at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IBR/is_4_38/ai_n31591250/

Much recommended.