LCAC revival
Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2024 1:08 am
I built Trumpeter's LCAC some years ago but unfortunately it suffered an accident which broke the ducted fan units and it had been consigned to a box for some considerable time.
The safety guards for the props were always the part of the model I was least happy with - injection moulding simply cannot replicate the delicacy of the originals - and now they were broken. Fortunately about a year ago Marek at Shelf Oddity took pity and, given that PE brass is probably the only medium that could achieve it, he kindly agreed to see what could be done.
The results are frankly amazing and transform the model. I also took the opportunity to add detail and tie-down chains to the CH-53 load, some new figures and (hopefully) improve the spray effect. It should appear once again at shows next year.
I believe that given that the kit is still widely available SO plan to release the replacement guards as part of their range in due course.
The safety guards for the props were always the part of the model I was least happy with - injection moulding simply cannot replicate the delicacy of the originals - and now they were broken. Fortunately about a year ago Marek at Shelf Oddity took pity and, given that PE brass is probably the only medium that could achieve it, he kindly agreed to see what could be done.
The results are frankly amazing and transform the model. I also took the opportunity to add detail and tie-down chains to the CH-53 load, some new figures and (hopefully) improve the spray effect. It should appear once again at shows next year.
I believe that given that the kit is still widely available SO plan to release the replacement guards as part of their range in due course.
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- LCAC can carry a single tank, which I tried but it looked rather lonely. The scene incidentally is the ramp at Camp Pendleton CA. The LCAC has in fact stopped (note the forward-facing Harrier-like nozzles) and is about to settle, hence the seemingly close crewmen.
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- I found a photo of a (presumably U/S) Sea Stallion being unloaded, so it's a legitimate load. essentially if you have a broken helicopter fowling your flight-deck the quickest way to get it ashore is to load it on one of these
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- test-fit prior to painting