Hello
I just updated my site and thought I would share with all of you some of the scratch built models that I am working on and off. I have been working on the LVT's since Italeri released the LVT-4 Water Buffalo. All the LVT's use modified LVT-4 pontoons, except for one that uses an LVT-A-1. I am looking for any information on the LVT-1, especially detail of the track, idlers and sprockets. Here is my web page.
http://gta.igs.net/~dangelor/page_01.htm
Cheers
Ralph

That's some nice stuff you got going there...I need to start trying my hand at scratch building some stuff. Keep up the great work!!

Great scratchbuilding over there Mech, cannot wait to see the rest...
Ciao

A man after my own heart. I love to scratch build. Your work looks fantastic!! Do you make home cast resin molds of the scratch built pieces? Your work is very clean. Thanks for sharing it. I hope you don't mind if I post your url for the others to see your work a little easier. http://gta.igs.net/~dangelor/page_01.htm

Ralph,

I am blown away. The LVT's are very well done... I was also impressed with the M 30 Ammo Carrier. Is there any chance that you could share some of your reference materiel or plans for this project?

Thanks,
Tim

Thank you all for your compliments.
Animal, I wish I could work with resin casting it would save me a lot of time. Do you have any recommendation for a good product that I can buy in Canada.
Tim, there is very limited information on this subjet, all I that I have on the M30 cargo carrier is Steve Zaloga article in Military Modelling,two pictures and another five pictures I found on the internet, from which I drew my plans for it. My resources are very limited.
Cheers
Ralph

Hey Ralph, you could use the Smooth-On products. They are real easy to use and they don't cost a lot. You can get the starter kit that has everything you need to start making molds and casting your own parts for around $25.00. http://www.smooth-on.com

Hi Ralph
I'm sure I ve seen your LVTs at an IPMS Toronto meeting. They are fantastic. I've done a fair bit of casting using Alumalite and Resicast RTV. Let me know if you are going to be around next month and I can show you my castings using these products.

Hi, you have done a fantastic job on those models and I congradulate you. One comment is the GMC SWB or 'short' as you call it is inaccurate as the fuel tank was located behind the cab and also had twin spare wheels sitting on top of it. Other then that as I said before a great job well done on these models. :-)

Thank you all for your response
Animal thank you for your recomendation on the Smooth-On product. Iwillhave to check it out.
Paul I have been at a few IPMS Toronto Meetings whith my models. I understand it is at a new location. What date did you have in mind to meet.
MrRoo thank you for the corection on my GMC SWB, when I built this I was using my artistic license, I do not have any reference on this vehicle. Do you know where I can see pictures of this vehicle on the net so as I can make the correction that you recommended.
Cheers
Ralph

Hi Ralph
The next IPMS meeting that I will be at is on the 8th of September. I can bring some samples to that if you like.

Hi Paul
The next meeting of IPMS on Sept. 8. Could you tell me the time and new location and I will try to come to it and meet with you.
Thank you
Ralph

Great looking collection you've got going. Scratch builders certainly have my respect. Hey animal, you oughta go into business. Make a mold of a 5 ton and a ten ton trailer frame. We can go out and buy wheels and semi scratch on top. Though I think you could make a fortune with a cast tanker trailer kit

Hey Mech! I have seen some of your pics some time ago as well ... Im still amazed at the stuff you do! I wish i had some of that scratching talent.
Do you ever paint these models? I see those in your cabinet are mostly unpainted as well! Or do you prefer to keep them in the raw state?

Hi Jim
I'm quite impressed with your site Plasticbattle. I see that you do scratch building and detail work as well. As for your question, I have painted some models but the majority are not painted because I get bored with the kit that I'm working on or I do not have a picture of the area I'm working on and so its set aside until I can find that detail picture. An example is the transport truck and trailer, I built it in 1984 using some pictures that a friend gave me and the book by Sheperd Paine with the pictures of the Dragon wagon that he built. This model as been modified three times since then and I'm still not finished with it.
Cheers
Ralph

Hey, great job on those models. They look fantastic. Looking forward to seeing them completed.

Hi Charles
I'm very impressed with your site one-step-further. Where do you find all the reference material. Do you have any drawings or pictures of the LVS truck that you would like to share with me, I would like to build one as well.
Cheers
Ralph

some really amazing work there... its a pity i didn't see this post until after i have asmebled most of my LVTP7 that i am currently working on.... i could find many decent internal shots... oh well maybe next time.

excellent, truely excellent

Mech,

There is some very nice work here indeed. I love to see such detail in models especially in subjects that I am not familiar with because it wets my appetite to see/build more.

It it this kind of site that becomes a reference point for others who are building similar sorts of vehicles. Again, very well done indeed

Lee

Hi
Thank you for the complements Klink and Lee
Cheers
Ralph