Hi People !

New project: AFV’s LVTP5

It’s a good model, with minimal problems during construction.

I’m using the small Eduard PE Set and some MGs from Academy.

I did the weld beads too.









So far, so good. I hope you enjoy as I’m.

Thanks for view !

Marco

Hi Marco. How did you make the weld beads? Please continue posting more as you proceed through the painting of this fine model.

Hi Marco,

I like this big build of yours. Im not familiar with this type but its cool looking! Id like to see some more.

Gary

Great work Marco, weld beads are nicely done. Will you be adding sitting figures riding a top. I have this kit in the stash and been wanting to build it...I juust hate the plastic track links.

Keep us posted!
Joe

Hi guys!

Thank you for your comments!

Rick, I made the weld beads using stretched sprue glued with liquid cement. Then I did the texture with a coarse sand paper.

Gary, I will post new pics ASAP.

Joe, I'll be placing a single figure: The one from Academy's Ontos who's wearing a bandana. He will be carring a .50 MG to the pintle mount welded in the rear upper hull of the monster.

About the tracks, they are not as bad as you think. They are quite easy to work with.

Thank you again !

Marco

Hi guys!

Some new pics. Now I just need to paint the beast.

I will use Vallejo Yellow Olive.

Sorry about the poor quality of the photos.

Any comments are welcome.

Thanks for viewing!

Marco

Hi Marco!

Nice build and I like the weld beads too.

I couldn't imagine driving one of these back then, it must have been something else.







~ Jeff

If you look at the history of USMC Amtracs, this variant, which started life in the 50s,and soldiered on into the 60s, is unique. The models before and after it were much more streamlined, and boat-like. This one is like a big green bar of soap, but it has so much character!Your build looks great, and my hat's off to you for your patience in working in those much- needed weld seams.

Thank you guys!

I like amphibian vehicles. This “big green bar of soap” is one of the most interesting models.

I think that driving one of this will be great. No one stay in front of you!

The weld beads gives a touch to its big side walls and I hope it will be very good after wash, filter and dry brush.

Let’s start the paint. New pics soon.

Marco

Great model, Marco. BRAVO!!
The models that seem "simple" are usually the hardest to build well and, above all, to paint well.
I cannot wait to see it finished ...
Gianfranco

Nice work Marco. In case you still haven't decided about the decals to use, two of Mec Models Vietnam sheets include LVTP-5 colorful markings...

http://www.mecmodels.com/E_frame.html?http://www.mecmodels.com/E_home.html

HTH

Frenchy

Grazie Gianfranco!

Merci Frenchy!

For me is very important get your feedback.

Frenchy, the decals are amazing, but now I’m thinking about do something like that:



What do you, guys, think about ?

Thanks

Marco

Hi Marco, if you cannot find the correct decals for the version you want to do and if you don't want to paint them free hand, why not print the ones you need by using the sheets of support for “decals do-it-yourself”, produced by various companies?
I have done precisely that for my M47 "Patton", because they were not commercially produced the decals with the STANAG, the insigna and the plate of the tank unit that I wanted to reproduce.
To do this, I used the sheets of support for decals with a white background, printable with my ink-jet printer and produced by BARE-METAIL FOIL Co.
I had to use the ones with the white background because I don’t own a printer that prints also the white color (these printers are professional and very expensive), otherwise I would have used a sheet with the transparent support because that it’s a bit thinner.
Furthermore, these decals sheets for "decals do-it-yourself" can be both for ink-jet printers or laser printers and for both are very good and simply to use.
I hope to have been of help to you.

Cheers - Gianfranco

Hi Gianfranco !

Great idea ! Thank you !

Here in Brasil is hard to find this, but I will try to import some sheets.

I really don't know if exactly this mouth was used in Vietnam, but I like to see the big box with this "face".

Thanks again !

Marco

What about this one ?



Frenchy

Wow !

Frenchy, you are "the guy" when we talk about pictures !

Fantastic, and now I “need" to finish the model.

My tripulation "up gunned" the C-21

Now I will remove two antennas and print the flag and USMC pennant (?)

Thank ou a lot !

Marco

Hi Marco,
I use a little trick, that I've always been helpful, to reproduce well all of the flags I need.
I mold in double-sided, with my ink-jet photo printer and in high resolution, the flag that I want to reproduce on a sheet of glossy paper for photos.
After the paint has thoroughly dried well, I clipping exactly the flag and then, with the cutter blade new and very sharpened, I literally flip through the various layers of paper until it remain only the thin film on it's printed on the flag.
After doing this, I fall back the two sides of the flag and I glue them with a thin layer of white glue (it, drying it becomes transparent) putting also the rope for the yardarm that will hold it.
While the glue isn't dried completely, I folded the flag to make it take the shape that I think is more just or more beautiful.
Finally, I lay a layer of transparent paint matt on it.
In this way I don't use the flags of the decals, because they're too delicate and cannot bend well because they break easily.
I hope to have been more help to you.
Cheers - Gianfranco
PS: Another little tip: you print more than a flag that you want to achieve because it's very easy to ruin them while you separate the layers of paper with the cutter...

An example of one of "my" flags is in this model.
http://www.masterminiatures.it/gal/pibber.php
I've done the American flag with my system (and I think it came natural and well ...)
Cheers - Gianfranco

Hi Gianfranco!

Thank you for the advice, but you are a very wise and patient man, I'm not.

The flag looks fantastic and the effect is convincing, congratulations!

I do not know if I will try this technique, my hands are very heavy.

BTW, look one of my flags. I just use "normal" paper and laser jet printer. Is good to represent "flying flags":



Cheers!

Marco

Hi Marco!
very good... very good... very nice!!!
Excellent model with a very natural painting and a good weathering!!!
Bravo!!! Chapeau!!
Excellent it's also the flag.

I use my method because i not have a laser color printer (too expensive) but a simple ink-jet photo color printer. To reproduce in Hi-Res the designs of some flags, pennants or insigna, for me is indispensable to use a photo paper and this special paper in this case is too thick for a good result when it's folded and glued.
That's why I literally flip through the layers of the photo paper until I arrive at the thin film on which the image is printed.
Then, with calm and patience, I pass lightly this thin film on the sand paper number 800 to eliminate the last few scraps of paper (this is the most dangerous operation for the image... calm, patience and lightness...).
If you exit well of this last operation, a good result is assured.

Cheers - Gianfranco
PS: also my hands are heavy. My weight is 154 kilos... and my hands are proportionated.... I am desperate... ;o((

Hey Gianfranco !

Heavy hands, great works !

I use my office's laser print.

Thank you for your opinion about my work.

Next weekend I will start to painting the LVTP.

Cheers !

Marco

New photos.

I did the paint job using automotive acrylic primer, automotive nitrocellulose flat black paint to "pre-shade" and Vallejo acrylics (9 parts olive yellow, 1 part White).









Them I used the some kit’s decals but when I mask the front of the LVTP to paint the mouth, I destroyed it. !



I’d liked worked with these acrylics, but I still prefer the automotive nitrocellulose paint.

And this is my idea about the one crew member (What do you think ?):



Thank you for viewing!

Soon, photos of the mouth and eyes.

Cheers !

Marco

You better give him bigger arms to carry a full .50 like that. Maybe Hulk Hogan could but I know that it takes normally 2 guys to carry it assembled.

Agree with that, M2 receiver and barrel weigh in at 84 lbs - 38 kgs!

Ops!

I think it will better change the M2 (thats looks beautiful in the mount)for an M60 or will not use this figure.

Thank you!

Cheers!

Marco