@ Jan: I purchased an UM 1/72 M4A2 at my LHS to try a build in your scale

Bob

Robert, you have started down a very dangerous and peril filled path! It is not for the weak of heart or those lacking stamina and devotion. Seriously, take your time and think about the build before you start. With commitment and dedication even Braille scale can be rewarding to they that master the necessary skills. Plus, those skills can be applied to larger scales. BTW, which M4A2 as they make a couple of different ones?

"Wax on...wax off...grasshopper!"

Jan

[quote]"Wax on...wax off...grasshopper!"[quote]

I do not think these were used in the pacific, but I could not pass it up.


More to come on my M3, I glued one part on in about 28 days


Bob (Robert)

@ mopnglo - Michael, your M4 looks like it was a good and clean build, despite the problems you had with the area around the bolt strip.

@Biggrip74 - I had a look at the review of that kit and it's instructions and it seems quite good. Not meaning to scare you but each HVSS bogie is eleven individual parts. By comparison the Dragon one that I built for the first Sherman campaign that we were in had only 8 parts.

I actually managed to put what I believe are the last kit parts on my Sherman. All the light and periscope guards are now in place, the hull .30 cal and the turret hatches assembled.

The hardest part was bending the PE and trying to use three tweezers with only two hands. My camera battery needed recharging but my SWMBO let me borrow her Alpha with it's super Zeiss lens. I must admit that it really took some extremely sharp pictures. You can not only see the casting texture on parts but also the weld seems.

For the camera nuts in this campaign the following pictures were taken with natural light coming in through a window with a reflector bouncing it back from opposite the window. The pictures were time exposures in total manual mode (SWMBO prefers to take most pictures in total manual).









With the exception of the bogies the paint on the model is to help identify any outstanding flaws and in parts as a pre-shading. Once I make sure that I actually do have all the parts on I'll advance to the full painting and detailing stage.

Cheers,
Jan

Jan, that M4 is coming along nicely. I decided not to over do (photoetch parts) on my first 1/72 afv. So I will be following you closely. Tell the SWMBO that I am shopping for an inexpensive camera that I can take colse ups of the M3 Stuart for this campaign.

Bob (Robert)

Sal,
Nice job on the LVT 4. Don’t forget the reference requirements for the Campaign.

Jan,
Looking better with each update

My update for the last week;
Finished all my leaves, this is the basic leaf


Glue and wire


Close up


One of 5 finished tiles

Forgot to take a picture of the painted leaf.

The finished/cut logs in place,



A sample layout of the diorama


The foam filler glued down and the palm trees and radio poles placed in for reference.


Moving along a bit better now.
Thanks guys for the updates,
Bob

Bob, that will be a nice dio and heavy using OSB. The leaves are looking great, what photo did you use for reference. I think that you have given me an idea. I/we are in trouble now.


Bob (Robert)

Hi Bob,
Reference photos are;




And this review I did; Japanese Radio Model 94-3A

Just putting them all together, more bang for the buck. I don’t think I ever ran across a photo of a USMC and US Army tank together on Guam, but it must have happened at some point.

The heavy OSB is to support the plaster that will cover the entire base and hold on to it also.
You’re more than welcome to use any photo or suggestion that might help in your project.

Let me know what you came up with.
Bob

Would this qualify as a reference photo

A Water Buffalo approaching the Iwo Jima beach with 2 forward facing .50 cal with flat armor plating protecting the gunners.
when you zoom in on the photo you can see the 2 boat hooks mounted in front of the 50's

Yes that is an LVT 4 but I noticed that the markings are different than what appears on your LVT 4.

"Operational overview and rules;
Finished model must be specifically identified by reference and reflect the approximate appearance as it was participating in that Battle." "along with a minimum of 2 photos of the finished model to be awarded the campaign ribbon. The reference can be by written word, movie documentary or photo but must be applicable to the campaign. I would also like to include the requirement of posting in work photos."

I'll make you a deal, tell us where the first LVT 4 appeared?
And an easy one, The stars that you show on your LVT, was this an Army marking or USMC marking? And why?

Never thought you would get a quiz did you?

This should satisify everyone for the reference requirements.

And remember to put your photos in the gallery
Campaign in the Pacific

Good luck,
Bob


If you get stumped I'm sure everyone here will help out.

@: Bob: thanks for the posting of those great photos. The dio that you are constucting looks great. I will still go for the M3 "Painintheass" and if I can get Russ to paint some figures for me everything will be set .

@: Sal: you must have a nice file of photos there.

Robert

Hi Guys
I have a 24 volume encyclopedia set call the Illustrated Encyclopedia of WW II. I look through these often for photo, however they are upstairs and I am on Dr's orders not to go up or down stairs right now. Had reconstructive ankle surgery on Thursday. So BobCard those are fair questions and will give me something to do in the internet as I sit here recuperating.
Cheers

Sal,
Sorry to hear about the ankle.
Here are a couple of places on the internet that might help and give you some interesting reading;
Hyperwar Pacific Theater of Operations
Assault Amphibian Vehicles of the USMC

Hope your ankle heals quickly,
Bob

Hi Bobcard
First Thanks for the well wishes, I want to kiss whoever invented Percocet. Also thanks for the website links i actually had the second 1 in my bookmarks.
Next, I have been doing internet research all morning and after watching several hours of YouTube Video I have come up with some answers:
According to this website
http://ftp.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/ref/Gators/index.html
Production started on the LVT(4) during December 1943, too late for the Marshalls, but in time for Saipan.
I also found some additional photos of LVT-4
This one from Okinawa

And this one from I think Saipan (pain killers taking effect)

Both of these have the Star but upon closer examination the soldiers appear Army. The Italeri instruction sheet claim that the marking I use were USMC 1944. All USMC Youtube video that I saw (that was in color) the LVT-4 were in 3 color camo with out star. So I would say that the Star is an Army Star and that I would need to repaint the helmet cover on my figure and call him G.I.Joe.
Lesson learned don't trust the model company's directions for accuracy.

Hello Sal:
[snip]First Thanks for the well wishes, I want to kiss whoever invented Percocet[snip]I bleed for you, I am also a believer in that Rx for my neck. Thanks for the links, this thread has been a great resource with everyone contributing.

Bob

Excellent Sal, gottem both first try. The Marines had this thing about putting a big target on the sides of their equipment. They tried to paint, mud or even grease them over when they had them.
Don't forget to post your pics in the gallery and you are officially number 2 to finish the Campaign. (No pun intended)
Thanks and take care of that ankle, joints are always hard to get back to normal.
Bob

Thanks Bob,
Still what to do some weathering to the outside before I call it finished. Hopefully they give me a walking cast on Thursday and I'll be allowed to go up and down stairs to my workbench. But when I do I'll get some photos in the gallery. The campaign was a lot of fun and I learned a lot. I also learned that percocet works better as a pain killer than Jack Danials.

I guess I'll do my update for Sat.
Working on the base; First just molded the sand bags;


Then plastered the inside/stained it/put rocks in/added sand;



Next started plastering the side;



Then fisished the entire base plaster;



Then finished the stain on the base;


The outside of the pit will be covered in moss to sim the low grass, some taller standing grass clumps with horse hair, then the smaller bushes, then the taller bushes, then the palm trees, then the radio poles and lines, then......

Never ends and I'm having a ball!

Hope to see some more updates from everyone,
Bob

Bob, I am envious of your talent and of the others. Great work.

Bob

Bob,
looking good really shaping up. I'm looking forward to seeing it finished.

Starting the LVT-4 build soon...

Should the LVT Drivers' Helmets be Grey / Navy Blue or GI OD ?

The Warrior Crew Box art doesn't have me completely convinced

Cheers

Paul

Guys
How do you upload photos of you finished projects to the campaign gallery?

Thanks

Tom

Hello Tom,
First and formost please go back to the first page and check the Campaign requirements. You will also need to enlist in the Campaign. Once the Campaign requirements are met then you will be able to post your finished photos.
Thanks for checking out the Campaign,
Bob



Paul; you can't miss with OD. But they used them all, I even seen a photo of one crew member wearing a Helmet fitted for a sound powered phone headset.
Bob

Final update for the weekend;
Applied the moss to the base;




Then completed the palm trees and installed on the base;




And placed incompleted tanks on base to find out what needs adjusting, basicall both tanks need to have the side of the pit closest to them cut down so the track will fit in;



Thanks guys, hope to see more,
Bob