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Re: DUKW Scratch Builds
Posted: Wed May 17, 2023 6:27 pm
by Ecam
The long wait for supplies is finally over. Was nearly out of styrene and adhesives. Now I can get back to work on this material hungry project.

Re: DUKW Scratch Builds
Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2023 10:57 pm
by Ecam
Earlier I said this project is material hungry. I've been working on the cab and though not finished, it has required just short of two square feet of .060 styrene. To put that in perspective, my M10s/M36 use about one foot each. The Priest and Jumbo combined used less than a foot.

Re: DUKW Scratch Builds
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 2:48 am
by Ecam
Well I hit the big 60 today so I took the day off to work on the big duck. I was hoping to get a bit further, but I ended up screwing up and had to start over on the sides. I can find no other measurements for the cargo deck rise/slope except for the 1/35 reference kit. To get to 1/9.25 scale from 35th I have to enlarge 374%. The cargo deck is 18 7/8" (47.5 cm) long. The original wedge I made ended up being correct at the front but way too tall in the rear second picture's pencil mark shows how much I was off. Laminated .060 styrene is what I am using (my typical method) Two layers for the inner wall and 2 for the rises (sloped piece that I screwed up). This is what I will use to support the cargo compartment to the deck so it can be lifted out. There will be a rail added to the riser as well to reach a total thickness of .280, the kit measured and scaled up was .287.
And for fun, I had to put the little duck up on blocks. After sitting on my thinned down tyres/tires for a while they developed flat spots.

Re: DUKW Scratch Builds
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 3:56 am
by sassgrunt
Happy Birthday Eric! Boy, I'll tell you - I am REALLY glad that you are doing the work on the big duck instead of me! It is coming out far better than I would have had a hope of doing. Great work - keep it up!
Re: DUKW Scratch Builds
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 3:56 am
by Ecam
Here is what I'm working towards. This the later DUKW built after the first 2000 (the next 19,147). The holes in the ribs was a 1949 change to reduce corrosion. All Ducks during WWII did not have the holes.

Re: DUKW Scratch Builds
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 5:09 am
by sassgrunt
Well, that later type is what Dad would have been familiar with at Inchon. I'll bet he's looking down at your build and smiling.
Re: DUKW Scratch Builds
Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2023 5:38 pm
by MonsieurTox
Happy belated birthday.
The Dukw is something special to me, when I was young I asked my grand father to build me one. He just had time to build me a welded metal hull.
I love what you are doing. The scale engine is a very nice touch!
Re: DUKW Scratch Builds
Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2023 5:42 pm
by Ecam
Thank you. It's a large model and I felt it could use some additional goodies.
Re: DUKW Scratch Builds
Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2023 12:48 pm
by Ecam
Deck is getting closer to completion. Most of the major parts are built and the bulk of the styrene and adhesives are at an end. On to details.
M4A3
PZIV
A Tiger could fit lengthwise but was too wide.
Re: DUKW Scratch Builds
Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 11:20 pm
by Ecam
Sub floor looks a bit unorthodox, on the real ducks all eight of the panels are removable for access to the various workings underneath. The two over the fenders were removable (but gained access to nothing but the fenders). The bottom can be viewed through the holes (hand pulls and tie down points). I still wanted two layers for possible weight carrying in the future so this what I came up with.
