Pacific Crew Figures for LCM-3...?

[Havoc]

Heya, Dave,

How's it going...? Sounds like you are muy busy...

As I finish up my construction on my 35th scale Italeri LCM-3 (great kit, one of Italerie's best...hats off again to our pals in Italia for another great subject), I'm thinking I'm going to need a crew for it...

The Italeri crew figurestthat come with the kit look like ETO --- any chance of you tackling Pacific-looking Naval crewmen for the LCM kits in 35th scale...?

Also, as you have a pretty awesome reference of PTO photos, would you know if any LCM-3s at Iwo Jima or Okinawa were ever camoflaged...? Thus far, it only looks as if the bigger craft --- LCT and up --- got the camo treatment.

Much to my suprise, I have not have much luck finding a large number of pictures of the LCM on the Web. Any help or references would be appreciated, folks!!

Last question: Any further news on when the Trakz LVT-1 is going to hit the market...? Just wondering if it will be out in time for Christmas.

As always, thanks, Dave --- keep up the great work!

Much Aloha,

Johnny B

[panzer]

Grettings Johnny B.

No the Trakz LVT-1 will not be out by years end,I think it will be a Feb. or Mar. release.Mrosko/Trakz

[dharper]

Originally posted by Havoc@Nov 7 2004, 11:38 PM
Heya, Dave,

How's it going...? Sounds like you are muy busy...

As I finish up my construction on my 35th scale Italeri LCM-3 (great kit, one of Italerie's best...hats off again to our pals in Italia for another great subject), I'm thinking I'm going to need a crew for it...

The Italeri crew figurestthat come with the kit look like ETO --- any chance of you tackling Pacific-looking Naval crewmen for the LCM kits in 35th scale...?

Also, as you have a pretty awesome reference of PTO photos, would you know if any LCM-3s at Iwo Jima or Okinawa were ever camoflaged...? Thus far, it only looks as if the bigger craft --- LCT and up --- got the camo treatment.

Much to my suprise, I have not have much luck finding a large number of pictures of the LCM on the Web. Any help or references would be appreciated, folks!!

Last question: Any further news on when the Trakz LVT-1 is going to hit the market...? Just wondering if it will be out in time for Christmas.

As always, thanks, Dave --- keep up the great work!

Much Aloha,

Johnny B
Hello Johnny,

Yep, we are a busy bunch of master makers!! I to, was really impressed with the Italeri 1/35 scale LCM3 kit. We have several of figure sets planned for this kit, since the LCM family served 99% of its life in the Pacific during and after WWII, it fits right in with our area of interest.

Many of our recent Warriors offerings can be used with the LCM3, not necessarily as crew, but definately as passengers. If you are one who likes to do figure conversions, then these latest Warriors offerings also are a great place to start.

As to the camo. used on LCMs, yes they did use camo schemes on them. The ship to shore LCM3's that were carried on bigger ships were usually painted in overall blue grey, the same shade as the LVTs were originally painted.

The LCMs that operated from land bases, (like the 533rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment and the 594th EBSR) in the Philippines during WWII, were more likely to of been camouflaged. Some of the LCMs were convereted into "Gunboats" and operated as protection for fleets of supply convoys of LCMs carrying loads of cargo on the many rivers and waterways that makeup the Philippines.
Since many of these craft operated on rivers deep inland from the ocean beaches, they would be painted in the green and brown camo to better conceal them from the air and prying eyes.

Many of these craft were so beat and weathered, that even the ocean grey boats can appear to be camouflaged with all of the rust, scrapes, repainted areas and worn spots. I am going to run a whole series of LCM photos in the next Pacific Focus (#2) book which will be printed in February of 2005. I have included a few photos here to help illustrate my points. If there is enough interest shown here in your post, I will post a bunch more pictures up on my hardcorpsmodels.com site. So PA members should sound off if you want to see more LCM photos.

http://www.harpercastings.com/images/image_posts/USMC%20LCM6.jpg

If you look closely at the stern of the LCM in this photo, you can just barely see the outlines of the two camo patches, one on each corner. This photo is from the Saipan landings.

http://www.harpercastings.com/images/image_posts/54224cp.jpg

This LCM has had the two .50 cal mgs moved to the rear of the upper deck, just behind the pilot house, instead of just in front of it, as was the factory installed position. You can see the use of camouflage on the hullside of this vessel.

http://www.harpercastings.com/images/image_posts/LCM3-1.jpg

This color shot is a still from a reel of 16mm color movie film that I gained access to during a recent visit to my friends at Quantico. It shows the blue/ocean grey color. Note that the outside and lower hull color has faded quite a bit, while the sides of the pilot house are much darker.

The LVT1 is coming along fine, we are waiting for the photo-etch test sheet to arrive, so we can test fit all of the parts to the resin kit. We are shooting for a Feb/March release date.

Much more to come....

David

[Havoc]

Thanks, guys!

Chris, definitely appreciate your reply, dude (when is your next modelling book due out?) --- I was hopin' fer Christmas but hey, I'll take it when I can get it!!

And Dave, thanks a bunch for taking the time to reply with all the helpful info as well as those awesome LCM pictures!

It's kind of a surprise, but pictures of LCM-3s are not as abundant on the Web (and in books) as you might think... Those were great shots --- and I for one would like ta see more! The info you supplied will be very helpful.

Agreed --- the Italeri LCM is a great kit...definitely the smoothest to put together of any of their kits!! I wish Squadron had made this their Kit of the Year.

Looks like somebody has already released an aftermarket set of structure details for either the Trumpeter or Italeri kit. Hopefully, this will be the start of lots of goodies for the kit.

Sounds like lots ta look forward to --- definitely cannot wait for the LVT-1, Pacific Focus Pt. 2, and the new modelling the LVT & Pacific Sherman books!

Thanks again --- keep 'em coming!!!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

[Brian Fendley]

Nice photos, I would like to see more of them, especially any that show the gunboat adaption! Thanks again for the great pictures!

Brian