Global Scale Modeller

Vietnam GB Entry:US Marine LVTP5A1 (AFV)

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I'm going to build this amphibian vehicle. It has huge dimensions and I'm probably going to build a dio base too.





LVTP5A1 Landing Vehicle

The LVTP5 is a large vehicle with an inverted V-shaped bow that was built for a more efficient water operation and its date of acceptance was 1956. Since then many advances have been made in equipment technology and vehicle capabilities.

By 1957, 1,124 of these amphibians were built to replace World War II versions used by the Marine Corps. The Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Personnel, Model 5 (LVTP5) was designated LVTP5A1 when fitted with minor modifications including a box-type snorkel over the engine compartment. It was never considered a satisfactory design because of its short operating range and excessive maintenance. When a new vehicle by FMC called the LVTP7 entered service in 1971, the LVTP5 was phased out by 1974. Some were transferred to the Philippines and Taiwan, and recently bought by Chile.

A rigid, watertight armor plate ranges from 6.35mm to 15.87mm thick. A steel-plated hydraulic ramp in front has heavy, water-tight rubber seals. All openings for ventilation, bilge discharge and access are in the top deck. A cargo hatch over the troop compartment measures 2.438 meters long and 2.1 meters wide. It has two spring-loaded double folding sections hinged at the outer sides.

Four troop seats hold eight marines each. Another two sit on the machine gunner's platform for a total of 34. In an emergency, the vehicle can carry 45 standing marines. The LVTP5 can carry 5,443 kg of cargo when afloat, and 8,165 kg when on land. It may carry a 105-mm towed howitzer, its crew, and 90 rounds of ammunition.

The engine and transmission are in the rear. There is limited access via a hatch in the transverse bulkhead. The main engine hatch may be unbolted from the top deck to permit removing the complete powerpack. There is a rear drive sprocket and five track return rollers. A pair of nine dual steel bogie wheels are suspended from rubber torsion spring assemblies. The vehicle is propelled in the water by its tracks. Each of 134 blocks has an inverted water grouser. The LVTP5A1 has infrared, stretcher, navigation, and winterization kits available.

This is the kit box from AFV



Instructions



and sprues







The hull is massive!



I'm going to complement it with five riders from Hobby Fan







... and that's it. I'm ready to start; This is indeed a very interesting GB!! Cheers guys!

Nice looking kit and figures.

The LVTP and the M113 both ended up with infantry preferring to ride on top of the vehicles instead of inside. There was no air conditioning inside, but lots of heat from the engine and other bodies but on top you got a little breeze, at least when the thing moved. The main reason they rode on top was land mines, neither offered good protection against them.

pretty cool subject ! going to be an interesting build. looking forward to seeing it come together.

Great choice. They really used to hillbilly mod these fortifying the top with all kinds of kit including machine guns and even mortars.

WOW looking forward to seeing this come together especially the figures.

ForbesHutton wrote:Nice looking kit and figures.

The LVTP and the M113 both ended up with infantry preferring to ride on top of the vehicles instead of inside. There was no air conditioning inside, but lots of heat from the engine and other bodies but on top you got a little breeze, at least when the thing moved. The main reason they rode on top was land mines, neither offered good protection against them.

Thanks for the info! I was just wondering why those marines are always portrayed on top and not inside that spacious moving dining hall

rwsmith14 wrote:pretty cool subject ! going to be an interesting build. looking forward to seeing it come together.

Thanks a lot mate!

snappercity wrote:Great choice. They really used to hillbilly mod these fortifying the top with all kinds of kit including machine guns and even mortars.

Thanks a lot mate! You're giving me ideas... hum...Maybe I should add more stuff...

Now that's a little different

nice looking kit hope it all goes together well

Lee wrote:Now that's a little different

Yep! No wingy appendixes, more on the toady side

martin57 wrote:nice looking kit hope it all goes together well

Thanks a lot mate!!

Very jealous - I would love a complete set of Amtraks throughout the ages and this one looks awesome.

love this kit, its going to look great , watched the film the other night to get in the mood for the g.b
best of luck

Thank you guys! I'm going to enjoy this GB

Lee wrote:Now that's a little different

That's for sure! You don't often see one of these even in pictures! Good luck!

Wow, Felis my man....you're going for it with this one! An unusual craft, figures and a diorama....will definitely be seeing how this comes together

That looks like a nice kit
And a great choise of subject
I never even seen this kit or the vehicle itself
Good luck with the build
Cheers Mark

Hi guys! thanks for your comments. The first photograph in this thread belongs to the movie "Apocalypse Now" the LVTP5A1 appears in the background of a scene. It's not a very common vehicle but looks cool!

are you going to do the sharks mouth on the front?

I've been considering getting a kit of this vehicle, so will be watching this with a lot of interest.

The add on stuff you have chosen will make for a very interesting build mate.

Lordfarnswaller:

are you going to do the sharks mouth on the front?

Thanks a lot for your interest! I'm not sure about the shark face... It's tempting. My first intention was to use the big skull decal... We'll see...


Deacon:

I've been considering getting a kit of this vehicle, so will be watching this with a lot of interest.

The add on stuff you have chosen will make for a very interesting build mate.

Thanks a lot for your interest and your comments!

I've started to build this big toad, here you have update 1:

Vietnam Group Build (ISM) LVTP5A1 Update 1

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LVTP5A1




I started with the wheels



I sanded them



I expected to add these wheels almost at the end of the build after painting the hull. However, this is not a tank! The hull sides have a structural function and they cover wheels and tracks in a 60% proportion. Therefore, I have taken a different approach. I'm building wheels and tracks before priming and painting. It's going to be a bit more difficult but looks like the logical way. I'm going to paint upper hull and hull laterals individually as well. As you see in this photograph there's no suspension, so I will have to do with that as well. So, as they say, if they give you lemons, lemonade looks like a sound option.



Without second thoughts I attacked the tracks



and fitted them. No big deal



I added the hull sides without gluing them to show how they are going to look. As you can see they are not "decorative" they hold the upper hull and front and back sides



Ok, that's all by now. Thanks for watching. Cheers!

Cool looking vehicle. Looking forward to see more

Great looking build so far, that is a cool vehicle you picked. Can't wait to see it done. Great job

Thanks guys! Right now I'm working with the upper hull. Cheers

looking good my man

Off to a good start Felis, looking forward to seeing it come together.

Felis that is really coming together nicely I was impressed how you got those tracks to connect and look like a single track Please post more with the painting of the wheels and tracks of that monster size model!

martin57 wrote:looking good my man

Thanks Martin!

Russ72 wrote:Off to a good start Felis, looking forward to seeing it come together.

Thank Russ! Step by step it's coming together

AlkaSeltzer wrote:Felis that is really coming together nicely I was impressed how you got those tracks to connect and look like a single track Please post more with the painting of the wheels and tracks of that monster size model!

Thanks mate! Here you are!


Vietnam Group Build (ISM) LVTP5A1 Update 2


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We left it here. Wheels and tracks were ready to be painted



I added the mobile landing platform





...and started building the upper hull










Once finished, I primed the parts




and airbrushed the with Green Armor (Vallejo)







Notice that the upper part is lighter than the lower section




Then I painted wheels and tracks




For these tracks I used Iron+ Gun Metal




...and applied a Track Wash (AK)






Then I glued in place the side panels







During the process some painted parts suffered damaged due to the use of masking tape, which was holding parts in their right position




Therefore, I used other methods to hold things together




Everything was assembled but I had some problems with the upper hull; it didn't fit 100% and seams were visible




So, I applied a lot of putty




...and covered it with black primer




Then, I airbrushed those parts with care




This is the result







I painted with iron and gun metal those holes caused by masking paper; using these free 3D effects at my advantage




I painted metal pieces with gun metal+ iron and a track wash




I also painted lamps with silver and optics with light gray+silver




And that's it...








I purchased the following elements in order to overcrowd the deck with people and loads of stuff





















Croc Face is coming...

This is looking so good mate.

You're thread just keeps giving Felis, loving it...

Looks pretty cool!!!! Great work so far...

PS. I think a LVT looks a bit like an oversized M113...

Great work Felis and nice save with the paint chips! All those extras will look great when layered over this beast!

Deacon wrote:This is looking so good mate.

Thank you mate

Joesdad wrote:You're thread just keeps giving Felis, loving it...

Glad you like it!

Dunhill2005 wrote:Looks pretty cool!!!! Great work so far...
PS. I think a LVT looks a bit like an oversized M113...

LOL! Tank you buddy!

UKguyInUSA wrote:Great work Felis and nice save with the paint chips! All those extras will look great when layered over this beast!

Thanks a lot Martin! Cheers mate

This is a 55 second TEASER but it may content disturbing images. Watch at your own discretion... (Obviously I'm exaggerating)

Vietnam Group Build (ISM) update 3 TEASER

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Looking good Felis. That toothy grin .

Thanks Russ! The "Croc" is almost done

One hell of a beast looks like a first world war tank...and with all them extras this is going to be epic

Tiger131 wrote:One hell of a beast looks like a first world war tank...and with all them extras this is going to be epic

Thanks for your comments mate! They are really encouraging


"The Croc" is done... Now I'll have to work with all those extras...


Vietnam Group Build LVTP5A1 "The Croc" Update 3


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I received these two additional kits...




This is the 50 cal machine gun which is going to be mounted on the deck



I'm just going to use the machine gunner from this Hobby Fan kit





We left it here. I drew the croc's face with a watercolour pencil.





Carefully, I painted those teeth with white acrylics





I also shadowed parts of the mouth with black acrylics





Finally I completed the mouth with red acrylics









The optics were too shiny and I dimmed them with a patina of diluted green and black acrylics





I also painted some final details





I started the weathering process applying a dark brown wash (AK)





With a brown watercolour pencil I outlined the eyes of the teethy lady





I applied a pin-wash with AK grime diluted with white spirit





The whole effect was too brownish. So, I darkened vents with another pin-wash; this time, ink diluted with water





Anf finally I added rust streaks (AK) and washed them with white spirit... et voilà...she's ready....





Meet Croc...














































































































That's it! Now I have to start with the crew and the stowage. Cheers folks!

Very, very impressive

Love the croc mouth, great hand painting
But also the paintjob, weathering and..... well, let's just say I love the whole build.

This screams for a dio

Fantastic skill with the shark mouth! I salute you and your model!

Great build ! The paint job is really nice and love the detail of the 'croc' mouth .

Now I'm sitting and waiting for more

so next will be ...

Aaaarrgg
Put it back in it's cage
that is some mighty fine painting
hats off to you sir

peppie wrote:Very, very impressive

Love the croc mouth, great hand painting
But also the paintjob, weathering and..... well, let's just say I love the whole build.

This screams for a dio

Thank you mate! Right now I'm working with sand bags...I don't like the ones I bought from Tamiya, so I'm scratch building the whole lot...the dio is still lurking in the creative corner.. We'll see... Cheers!

LudvigN wrote:Fantastic skill with the shark mouth! I salute you and your model!

Thank you very much mate! You're too kind

rodrant wrote:Great build ! The paint job is really nice and love the detail of the 'croc' mouth .

Now I'm sitting and waiting for more

so next will be ...

Hi mate! Thanks for your interest! Next will be.. those damn sandbags, I'm Scratch-building each one of them.

90 or more hand-made sandbags left. Yay!

MarkVerploeg wrote:Aaaarrgg
Put it back in it's cage
that is some mighty fine painting
hats off to you sir

Thank you Mark! She's not that bad, it's just a pose Cheers mate!

Really superb work

Amazing work there buddy, fabulous weathering, brilliant paint skills....