Howdy, all. Thought I'd post this here, rather than softskins, since this is more of a general reference request on Allied WWII...

With the arrival of the Academy Dragon Wagon in 1/72, I am eyeing my 1/72 LCM (3) and thinking how cute it would look on the trailer. And unlike doing it in 1/35 with my Tamiya DW kit, I might actually have room to display this one (heck, I might even finish it!). But what I need are some more references than what I have. Thus far, I have the book by the same publisher that also did one on the M5 High Speed Tractor (I think they're linked to the publishers of Allied & Axis Photo Journal), and another whose publisher escapes me (it has a blue cover, soft-bound, probably 30-40 pages). The former book has some photos with the LCM, including a few that are close-ups. But anything else that could be pointed out to me would be great. Even Google's image-search has proven of little use...

Randy

Hi Randy;

I see no one else has replied, but that is probably because they are in the same boat you are (no pun intended). Other than the Ampersand Publishing "Dragon Wagon" book ( I assume that is the first reference you mention), I haven't seen any other photos of LCM's loaded onto a Dragon Wagon. In fact, it was a post about a year ago somewhere here that clued me to the fact that this was ever done and that that was the reference to get, which I have now done.

As far as your proposal to model it in 1/72, I say do it! As far as I can tell, all you would need is some scale lumber (looks like 10 x 10's - whatever size, it needs to be beefy) and some scale chain; I know there is model RxR chain that may work in 1/72. The lumber looks as if they put long lengths of blocking crosswise across the trailer, put the LCM down, and then cut the lumber to width so as not to exceed clearances. The lumber exhibits a clean grain at the end, plus you can see cut-offs on the ground (I am referring to the photos on pp. 66-71 of the aforementioned reference book). You can stain scale stripwood and then cut it to get the same effect.

If I were doing this (and I am contemplating it in 1/35th - I have both kits but do I have the shelf space? Hmmm...), I would place the LCM with the bow at the cab-end, as you see on pages 68, 69 and 71. I think it looks better that way. Cute? Well, maybe, but a cool load to be sure! I hope we see some photos of your build.

Sorry I can't be of more help here; finally, can you provide any more intel on that second reference you mention? I'm not familiar with any other Dragon Wagon references. Oh, and see the excellent 1/35 build in today's photo display section, it's sweet.

Regards;

Jimbo63

I do not have a copy but I saw in a catalog Tankograd has a book on US tank transport. Might be another place to look.

While browsing in my local hobby shop this past weekend I saw a magazine with an article on just this sort of diorama in 1/35. I think -- but can't be sure -- that the magazine was "Steel Masters". I say this because I remember not being able to read the details of the build because it was written in another language, an I think "Steel Masters" is a French publication.

It was a very well done diorama that really caught my eye and got me thinking of the the possibilities of the Academy kit as well. Hope this helps.

Brian