Blonde moment coming your way as I've got this on the bench myself what's the cowling

Jaymes.

We are talking about the enclosure around the rear gun tripod. It appears it is present on later Vietnam war PBRs. You can see it clearly in the below pic (from above post by Zapper).

Yes I can see it great! thanks Gino.

Gino,

The second picture seem to answer my question. Personally I don't think the cowling ever where present on the Mk. I's. I've only seen them with just the tripod.

I also found a picture on page 38 in Squadron/Signal "Riverine" showing what seems to be a Mk. II with just the tripod (there are pictures of the one's with the cowling on p. 41 and 62).

Conclusion: Mk. II without the cowling - confirmed.

/E

I agree. I think it was a late war feature. Here are more Mk IIs with only the tripod in Vietnam.

Its been a while since my last update. With spring break and Easter, I have had little time to work on them. Here is the progress so far. I have painted and installed the big Detroit Diesel Marine engine. I think it looks pretty good in there.





I have finished the major construction and painting. I am now working on the weapons and details, then a little weathering will be in order.





As you can see, I applied the kit supplied decals. I had no issues with them and they snuggled right down. The canvas tops are about done too.


That's it for now. By the next update, they should be done. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks for looking and as always, all comments welcomed.

Looking good Gino.

Any more thought put into the dio? What's the plan as of now?

Gino you are right the Detroit Diesel Marine engine does look pritty good in there! very nice work. What colour did you use for the OD?

Looking good. That engine looks great. Looking foward to more updates.
Tom

Thanks guys. The dio will probably only have 1 of the PBRs and the ATC(H). I think the other will go on its own dio either in a full-out run with the Tamiya crew on the guns, or at rest w/the crew checking a Sampan. The color of the hull is Krylon Camo Colors green from a spray can. The OD on the roof canvas is Testors OD in a spray can as well.

Really nice job Gino as usual, if I can, I would say I found the engine bay not very crowded in terms of cables dirty etc.
but it is only a small detail.
Compliments
Moreno

Hi Gino

Your PBRs are looking great.

I like what you did with the vac-forming of the missing parts. Is that home made or store bought.

Ralph

Thanks guys. I have done a little more and will try to post more pics soon. The weapons are done now. Weathering and some small details are all that is left.

Surprisingly, the pics I have of the engine compartment are pretty close to what I have done. There isn't really much there. Most of the components are contained to the engine. They are pretty complete units.

The vac-forming machine is home-made. I did a how-to build it article a long time ago here on Armorama.

Now look what you've gone and made me do! I've just had to buy my third PBR (on e-bay) and am inspired by your work above to do a full interior, including the radio room at the front...
Guess my diorama just got bigger all over again!

Thanks Gino!

Glad to help Richard. I will be looking forward to seeing your radio room. I haven't been able to find any good referance pics of that area.

Nice to know it and so it will be easier for me to replicate it can you share the engine photos for my own pourpose?
Thanks Moreno

They are complete. I added various stowage from the spares box and the kit. I also added a couple motivational posters magazines, maps, etc. in the cabin areas as well.

Hope you like them.







Here are some of the details.

Motivational poster (actual 1960s Marilyn Monroe nude from Playboy).





One still has the roof loose so I can add a crew at a later date.




The one with the open engine compartment will eventually go with an ATC(H)and Huey, etc. The other will probably be in a dio by itself w/the crew searching a Vietnamese Sampan for contraband.

That's it for a while. I have a couple other projects to get to.

Thanks for looking and let me know what you think.

Beautiful work Gino, really love them... It reminds me I need to get my pair done, I have only the details left really, bits like the flags, spotlights, anchors and tyre fenders...

Nice work!

Richard

Thanks Richard. I'm sure yours will come out great too.

Beautiful Gino. Makes me want to jump in and go out on patrol..

Gino, looks really great. Just don't let the car guys know about your engine building skilz!

Thanks guys. They were a fun project. I'll keep my mechanical skills under the "hood" so to speak.

Gino
They both look great. Very good detailing. Hopefully you will post pictures when you put them in dioramas. Keep up the great work.
Tom

Thanks Tom. I'll definitely post some pics of the dio...eventually.

Gino, great work, as usual! What did you use for the flags?