Wonders never cease, my Sister requested that I build her a diorama. Great, I have 3 campaigns working and another starting Aug 1st, I also committed myself into doing an inbox review of a model, and I haven’t even started on what’s going on family wise, I have a Son in Iraq, my family members have decided that they don’t want to hang around this world any longer, money is tight and the world moves on.

My Sister is family; family always comes first, so this diorama and this blog are for her. So we must prioritize, review is a definite, a firm commitment made, which for me works out great because it gives me something else to go to when I have to wait for something on the diorama to dry. Also I can leave the camera set up for both for pictures. The campaigns last, you never know I might be able to sneak one in.

Discussing with my Sister what she was looking for in a diorama.
“Something where someone is helping someone else.” Her first comment.
“Of course; an M3A1 Satan Flametank, on Saipan, burning out some Japanese, that have a squad of Marines pinned down.” Was my enthusiastic reply.
“No, no, no. Something like Mash where there are medics helping someone.”
“Look Sis I mainly stick with WWII Pacific, Mash was Korea. How about the same thing but on an island? You know I also mainly do vehicles, not much good at figures.”
“I’m sure you’ll do fine.” She says with those puppy dog eyes.
Great I thought to myself. So for my first design I went with this;
A floating DUKW; loaded with Marines, waiting out at a ship for treatment.



First lesson; never open up your photo reference for someone to scan through for ideas on a project. Her choice was this;



Of course I didn’t have any where near what was required to put this one together, so I closed the file and brought out some paper. My first design was this, same idea but on land just up on a beach.



“Come on, way to plain; look at this nice windmill you made, think bigger”
Lesson 2, plan things out at the kitchen table over coffee, never in the location where most of your dioramas are stored.
“OK look, how about if it’s a main landing area, just after the main landing has taken place so some guys are on look out, and others have loaded and are still loading wounded, some are being worked on and some are being delivered?”
“That would look nice.” Great, nice is a good thing I think. New drawing;
(The numbers are the guys, yes 18)



She’s happy, I’m getting there. I said; “This is supposed to be a recently landed beach right? There should be at least another vehicle sitting there that might have been knocked out. The DUKW wouldn’t know where to go without beach landing areas, so we have to set up at least a Medical supply area, no beach would look correct without some Japanese emplacements, and this is the Pacific so some palm trees, scrub oaks, battle damaged of course, discarded equipment from previous Marines. You can see how this can grow a life of its own. This is the time when I’m actually glad I’m not independently wealthy.
Final drawing for the diorama; References from Peleliu so I thought Orange 2 would work;



I got my vehicles; she’s got her “Something where someone is helping someone else.”
So it’s a go.
3rd Lesson, A plan is meant to be broken. As soon as you start checking if you have everything you find out you don’t.

Here is the current list of kits not counting loose spare parts I have stored away.
Kits;
DUKW
Italeri 6429 DUKW with 105mm Howitzer
Tamiya 35231 Cargo truck accessory parts kit
VP 1915 DUKW detail set
Hardcorpsmodels HX DT109 USMC DUKW’s in WWII
Archer Fine Transfers 35243 GMC DUKW Placards and Stencils

LVT (A) 2
Italeri 6470 LVT (A) 2
Eduard 36014 LVT 2 Bulkhead
Eduard 36044 LVT (A) 2 Details
Hardcorpsmodels HX DT01B LVT Data Markings

Amphibious Trailer
Trakz 0110 WTCT-6 Amphibious Trailer
Hardcorpsmodels HX DT 021 WTCT6 Trailer Markings

Figures;
Hudson & Allen 9510 USMC Decals
Verlinden 1790 USMC
1892 Marine Flame Thrower team
Warriors 35469 Hit the Beach Pt-3
35494 USN Corpsman
35545 Stretcher Team
35590 USMC DUKW Crew
35591 Photographers
35595 LCVP/LVT Crew
35599 LVT Drivers
35624 Abandon Tank Pt 1
Dragon 6167 Windtalkers
6272 2nd Div Marines

Diorama Items;
Hudson & Allen 1110 C-Rations Boxes
1114 K-Rations Boxes
Hart of the South Palm Tree kits 7 and 10 inch Coconut Palm
Tank Workshop 1004 55 gal drums
1007 Grenade Boxes

References used; (So far)
Concord-US Amtrak’s & Amphibians at War 1941-45 by Steven Zaloga and George Balin
Letterman Publications-AFVisual #2
-LVT 2 & LVT (A) 2 Model Tech Manual
-LVT 2 Project Book
All 3 by David Harper
Field Manual- FM-17-34 Amphibious Tank and Tractor Battalion
FM -60030 Embarkation & Loading Amphibians

So off to a great start, this weekend I start on the DUKW.
I want to complete all 3 vehicles to about 80%, I need to use them for scale on the diorama, wheel ruts and vehicle placement. Once that is done I’ll finish them off to the final weathering stages, I like to weather all my items all at the same time.

Anything you think I’m missing, or need to change let me know.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and for any comments,
Next update next week,
Bob

bob
I am really touch by all the effort you put for your sister. Deep sense of familly, this honor you my man.
And the list of items, are you working in a LHS ???

i will follow your work
Cheers
Seb

Great story for the background of the build. I am waiting anxiously to see how this progresses.

Hey Bob- Looks like we are in for another great build! Don't quite know the relavence, but for some added back story here are some pics of a map (one of several) that my grandfather gave me. These were issued to squadron commanders and meant to be destroyed after the battle. Needless to say... he kind of kept on to his. He was flying air support in his F4F during the ladings and subsequent campaign. Just thought it might interest some to see the overhead planning that the Navy did before the battle. Looking forward to see this one progress. My grandfather always spoke highly of the Marines on the ground there. His stories of their bravery have inspired me to join their ranks. Thanks again!

Air staging map:


Close-up on the landing beaches:


-Mike

Looks like a great and huge project! Good luck with it! Looking forward to your progress!

I know my sister would just think it's a dust collector...

Cheers
Stef

I have also been collecting kits for a Pacific Dio, probably not on this scale. excellent concept, can't wait for the progress shots

Good modelling

Very good idea Bob.
I think the finish efect will be very good.

Mike, what an awesome peice of history! My grandfather was a Marine with VMF-312 and his service also inspired me to follow in his foot steps. Semper Fi brother

Bob, this is going to be another outstanding build! ill be following this one and cant wait to see how it develops. I really like the idea of the DUKW loaded with wounded...even the floating version would make for a interesting small dio (and i saved your picture for future reference). Looks like those came from some dave harper books (the one aerial pic looks real familer)
Andy

Hi Bob. This sounds fascinating. Looking forward to your progress reports. its already got me hooked.

Wow, thanks everyone for responding.
I'm really looking forward to starting this Saturday.
Mike thanks for the great photos, I never knew these existed. And thank your Grandfather for his service and hanging on to this great piece of history.
A lot of the references I am using are from David’s books. I highly recommend all of his works for references on the USMC.

Thanks everyone,
Bob

Hey Bob- I did not know they existed either until he started puting things aside for the family before he died. I thank him in my prayers everyday. There are some pictures he took from the air during the landing as well. I will see if I can get them from my brother as they are truly amazing. Looking forward to some progress!

Andy- As Bob said, thank you and your grandfather for your service. I am sill a few months away from that official signing date. I have a few more credit hours to complete, then (keeping my fingers crossed) it's off to OCS.

I don't mean to highjack Bob's thread here, so again, looking forward to the dio man.

-Mike

[/quote]
Mike, what an awesome peice of history! My grandfather was a Marine with VMF-312 and his service also inspired me to follow in his foot steps. Semper Fi brother
[/quote]

Sorry Andy, that what I get for rushing when I post. My thanks to your Grandfather also.
Those books from David Harper are the AFVisual series. Let me know if you can't find them I might be able to help.
Mike, good luck for OCS, everyone needs to know how to use a fork. I'm sure you'll have no problems, getting to OCS that is, the fork your on your own.
Bob

Off to a somewhat good start. DUKW came first. I compared all the kits I’m using and of course some things are overlapping. I always compare them to see which I prefer to use on the model. An example is the seats, I really like the Verlinden ones, and the seat covers have even been patched. I just combine everything as I go along and make my choices.


Another is the transfers from Archer. Really nice ones but a major pain to get on. Some of them are so small and then having to place them inside the cab area, tight to begin with then stick a rubbing thingy in there to rub to transfer the decal. I even tried the method where you rub it on regular decal paper and use it like a wet transfer. Again make sure the whole thing moves over because it’s hard to move it back exactly correct. And that it is completely on, I had a few float off in pieces. Needless to say I didn’t use all of them.
The cab area is 70% completed. In hard to reach later areas I try and do as much as I can, I always end up breaking off things when I go back later.
I also don’t follow the recommended order when I construct. For another example; As fumble fingered as I am if I completed the top with everything already done then try and attach the bottom, I’d be re-gluing just about everything on the top section again. Just easier attaching the bottom and top first, the only concern is if you drop something in the hull, getting it back out becomes a problem so of course then you try and finish off all the holes first that might suck something down, like installing the engine hood. Seems kind of picky but a lot easier, just have to work bottom up because the easier breakable items are on top and remember not to force anything on top, the wheels are only plastic after all.
So here’s what I completed so far;
The air intakes, and shutters, deck grill and main hatch of the cargo doors;






The dash board, Archer transfers and Tamiya clear to represent the glass.
And filling the drain holes on the sides, which are not present







After which I dropped my camera, breaking it into a dozen or so pieces, which required me to purchase another one, a Cannon PowerShot SX110 IS, which should be delivered Friday. I remember looking at the question of which camera is best, some of the responses recommended this model, so thanks to everyone who responded to that post.
Which digital camera to buy
Thanks for looking,
Bob

Bob, great research and good initial efforts. I'm sure the final look will be great, the subject and your dedication assures that!

Claude

Claude, if I can get just half the details correct as you have with the Castle I'd be happy.
Such an excellent piece of work you created.
Thanks for taking the time to read and post,
Bob

Great progress so far Bob. I'm liking the upgrades to that DUK. No critisms on my part. Keep it up!

-Mike

Bob, I look forward to seeing this large scene come to life in a small scale. I also pray for the safe return for your son. Keep up the good work!

Thanks Mike and Jon,
Between learning the new camera, the review I'm also working on and keeping up with SWMBO honey do list, I did manage to get in a little work on the DUKW.
I do believe I will be working an hour or so after work to get more completed.
I decided to put the top and bottom together, that way I don't have to worry about breaking anything off if I stuck to the steps. This leaves the only hole being the engine hood, I finished the PE on that and will be attaching just to make sure nothing can get inside.


Hopefully more to post during the week
Thanks for looking,
Bob

This is a really interesting project and a great build so far. How will you be doing the water effects on this?

Looking forward to seing more

cant wait to see this one take shape

Thanks Jon and Shane for taking the time to comment.

Weekend’s progress went pretty good since I had to leave my other project to dry.

This is what to on going projects look like;
The Sherman Mk III side

Orange 2 side


Biggest problem is tools; I have to keep looking on one side or the other.

The DUKW progress went along pretty smoothly this weekend.
I finished up the drive assembly and gave it a coat of paint.


Then I went on to tackle the windshield. As can be seen in the reference photo I am placing it in kind of a stowage position. The wiper motors are a big big, they are part of the Verlinden Update and there is what looks like a covering on the glass part. I figure this to be a canvas covering but why it is not covering the windshield motors I'm not sure of. I just used paper towel dipped in liquid starch, removed the excess starch and spread it out across the windshield

I let it dry a bit then wrapped the excess around to the other side and using the starch I painted the ends and overhang over to the other side


At this point I figured I should finish the majority of the front. The engine hood is attached; I painted and attached the grappling hook, and installed the lights and guards.
Along with the storage cover parts and the splash guard.





Hopefully I can get more done during the week.
Thanks for looking,
Bob

Great update Bob. I like what you have done so far. The answer, possibly, to your question about the canvas cover could be that it is a sleeve. I have seen similar things for jeeps. Basically they stow rolled up at the base of the windshield then unroll over it when it is down. I will try to dig up a picture but I think you have it pretty well covered (no pun intended). Nice work area by the way. I see that you also need a trusty fly swatter...

-Mike

Bob,

thought I'd have a look how you're getting along and as I can see there's a lot of progress! Really like what you're doing to that Duck. Have one in my stash as well and your build sure makes me want to get at it...
Nice work area too, always fun to see where others work!

Keep up the good work!

Cheers
Stef

Thanks Mike and Stef.

I finally got another chance to work on her and have it about 80% completed. A few changes since the last time. I'm tring to get that rigging figured out and I also would love to be able to afford those bumpers but money is just a bit tight.





I figure I had better walk away for a bit and let it all dry.

Thanks for looking,
Bob

Very ambitious build Bob. I'm going to enjoy learning about this battle as well as watching the build itself. Love your attention to the details and extras.
In regards to your camera, my wife bought me a Powershot SX10IS recently. You picked a good choice as it's got top reviews.
Im curious as to the size of this build and what the base might look like. Any idea so far on the base dimensions?

regards,
Tony