LVT (A) 1 Alligator

[littletankman]

Hi Herman your back ! . My LVT is on hold as Im building a Styer RSO . Although now with Nicks suspension pictures I might have a tinkle with it . Are you still building mate.

good to hear you on here again Andy

[GreenAmphibian]

I've been checking the site all along. I just haven't had to much to comment on that others hadn't already said. I will post some pictures of where I am on the LVTH6 soon. Not to far along I'm afraid.

[nickmow]

Thats the fire support version with the turret right Herman ?

[GreenAmphibian]

Yes it is. It has a 105mm howitzer in a small turret that is mounted where the cargo hatches would be on a regular one.

[nickmow]

Might as well keep this thread running ? (unless told otherwise)
Ive started on the mini LVT (A) 4 proper now. Got a satisfactory fit in the new hull and well as you can see did a bit of a test swim. I put the old superstructure on just for visual effect and fit. Quite pleased with her so far. You can see the obsession is in all scales. Size comparison with a 1/72 Hobbymaster LVT for an idea of scale. Think Im going to go with the same Iwo Jima paint scheme too.

[GreenAmphibian]

Nick that is looking really good. That is in 1/35 scale isn't it? All of the parts seem to fit, but where did you get the shoehorn to get them in there from?

[nickmow]

Yeah its a NITTO 1/35 LVT (A) 5, which is a rare model of a "rare model" from what I can see the (A)5 didnt see much service. The kit from nitto was subsequently produced by Blue Tank and then Modelmaster (in Canada I think). Its exactly the same moldings (I have all three types in boxes). The big important difference is the NITTO kit has "rubber band" Tracks with a sort of molding of the Grousers. The other two producers went with a terrible innacurate barely flexible vinyl type, that cannot be used for a running model. Im trying to build a scale model that happens to run, so lots of minor mods to get it back to an (A)4. I though the idea was novel bar a guy on youtube who does excellent 1/35 RC conversions. I was surfing the web and found anohter guys (Massimo D'antilo) work this evening !!
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html
Seems he had a similar idea, though I can find no other reference to his work or a video of it in action. I think it is fitted (only an informed guess) with Friulmodel metal tracks from Hungary. These apparently come as a kit of 290 ! individual links and wire to make them up with and metal sprockets. Might just be on the save up for list ($40 a set)

As for fitting it in, well as you know its a big vehicle, thats why I tried it out on the old hull first. The set of Heng Long gear fits in with room to spare....just . Infact fitting the gear seems to of been the easy part, the hard part is the scale model stuff....never was good at that..!

[GreenAmphibian]

I beg to differ with you on that account. Your modeling skills are just fine.

[nickmow]

Well finished the mini LVT (A) 4 using the mini-mini LVT (A) 4 as inspiration. She is fully RC and drives and swims ! I will organise some video of that shortly. Seen along side other members of the LVT family..LVT (A) 1 in 1:35 which is the version I did in 1:16 and an LVT (A) 2. Oh and of course the mini mini LVT (A)4 which is the Hobby Master 1:72 diecast model I got for Christmas. Still to build the 1:35 LVT 4 Buffalo, which Im hoping to make RC too ! should be just enough room in there to squeeze in the gear. Once thats done theres a DUKW and a Ford GPA. Still now planning to do a 1:16 LVT 4 Buffalo, seems to be something of an amphibious theme developing here...Also anyone point me at some drawings of a Terrapin the British attempt at a DUKW ?

[[ICE]monkey]

very nice , great job getting it watertight.