Hi everyone,
I just got my hands on this kit by chance.It has some sentimental value.Probably the first model I had ever built that my dad got me.I was very young because I still recall playing with it at the beach.



I want to able to have the frogmen seen underwater as the swimmers are in the great "Saipan Beach M4A2 Sherman Tank" dio.My question is,how do I make a frame to fill with resin and can be removed to have all 4 sides clear to see underwater???I plan to use Envirotex.I don't want to blow this because the chances of getting another kit are pretty slim.
Thanks in advance,

Tom

Hey Tom, envirotex will be an expensive dio. Suggestion, use the tinted plexiglass for the sides and the ripple type for the surface, which you can add waves with acrylic gel. You should be able to use thin clear rod for the figure support. Any way, if it does go south on you when you pour, let me know because the L.H.S. here has several of them on the shelf. I have this one in the stash along with all the others for my U.S.M.C. dio's.

I'll start by saying I haven't done this but have thought about it. The Saipan diorama you talk of has always been one of my favorites and that was done with gelatin??
I think to construct a removable frame you would need to make it out of clear acrylic because you will need to see what you are doing, I thought you may be able to attach the pieces with masking tape on the outside and a very thin bead of silicon caulk on the joints on the inside, smoothed with your finger, One problem you will encounter with envirotex (which is my favorite) is it sticks to everything and you may have trouble getting things apart, also it will get expensive to use that much. It has to be applied in layers and either breath on it or lightly use a torch to remove air bubbles, just a couple thoughts - John

No help here, but I built that over 50 years ago when it was a Mongram kit and took it with me to the beach.

Tom,

This is actually quite easy to do, just have to be careful with the Envirotex.

The frame can be contructed out of whatever material you want to use. To keep the resin from sticking to the frame, cover the inside of the frame with double sided tape and then clamp the frame tightly to the base. When the resin cures, you can remove the frame and have clear sides.

You can tint the resin with acrylic paint when mixing to get the right color for the water. A few drops is all you'll need.

I recommend that you pour the resin in very thin thicknesses at a time, say 1 to 2 mm on each pour. The resin will generate heat and melt the plastic if poured too thick.

There are a few good examples of what you can achieve with this method over on track-link by a guy named Jim Weschler.

http://www.track-link.com/gallery/4951


http://www.track-link.com/gallery/4994



Steve

Here are some great examples of water at this year's MFCA:


And the best I've ever seen:

Thanks for all your replies guys.
Bob,thanks for offer cause I don't think I'll find another around here.
Al,it was probably 50 years ago.That would make me 8 and that would be just about the right time to play with a model .Great photos.
Steve,when the double sided tape is put on would the side facing the resin still have the paper backing left on?
Eveyone is right that envirotex will be an expensive move,but it's the best thing I've found for water.May have to go on a layer to layer budget,so don't expect to see the finished dio real soon.
Just a footnote.The photo of the finished kit shows a seaman in the raft grabbing the frogmans hoop. .That figure doesn't exist.
Thanks again to all.Keep you updated.

Tom

Those are the two figures at the ends of the sprue closest to the hull on the second picture.

Out of curiosity was this boat ever used in any capacity other than it's boxed form as UDT, ie: landing craft, commandoes, etc?

No, take the paper backing off.

Steve

Hi guys,
Short update.
AL, those aren't the figure I referred to. Not the box art but the actual photo of the kit in the instructions.in that photo there's a sailor with a helmet trying to grab the ring.With this kit there's an extra frogman in the corner of the boat.
Anyway, here's a few pics of the progress on mine.The netting over the raft I removed and added plastic mesh.painting almost done,no weathering yet.Backto my original question.I'm thinking of getting a plixi showcase box and using it upside down for the resin.Just considering using the shark.


Tom

Update on my WIP.
Working on the figures.The extra frogman that is supposed to go in the back corner of the boat needed his right hand changed.the way he is molded he looks like he's waving and not holding onto anything.Cut it off and turned it.He also didn't look right in the corner.He looked scared and like "I'm not going in there",so I m moving him closer holding the engine compartment.Added a little stowage,maps,pinup girl poster and working on a scratch anchor.For the base I'm using plexi from a Barbie doll package.Quite thick,but easy to cut.I'll need to make wood corners to keep it together.Your all right that Enviro-tex would cost me a fortune.$45 for the large bottles that wouldn't fill much of the base.I would like to use it closer to the water surface.Any suggestions for a cheaper bottom filler?

Tom

Looks like you are making great progress. I actually have one of these, in my stash. If you do wreck it, let me know as I may be willing to part with mine.

Thanks Matt,

I'm hoping it won't come to that.

Tom

This boat was based on the Higgins Eureka boat. They saw action on both theatres including the North African landings (Torch), Guadalcanal, Salerno, Tarawa and in Normandy.

Actual name LCP(L)
Crew: 3
Troops: 25 or 8000lbs. cargo

Cheers,
Joe

I didn't realize that they were that versatile. After I clear some shelf queens, I may have to find a use for it.

hey matt,
Do a search for UDT boats,images,I was also amazed of the different versions of of this .Some with what looks like AM Canopys.

Tom

Hi,

Short update on progress.Got the corners done,need to paint the exterior to match the base.Added rocks and of course aquarium plants.Almost finished painting the frogmen.Started painting some of the plants to give a coral look.Still have to work on the anchor and after researching photos,add a radio.More work tonight.

Tom .

That's going to look awesome, after you add the resin! Nice paint job, on the boat.

Short update.
Made the corners,need to fill gaps.Maybe balsa around top edges.Added some more color to coral.Darked the floor.Resin to start soon in a small area to see what it looks like.Did the frogmen flat black black with hoses and fins in rubber black.Very slight change but noticable.

Tom

One of my LHS's has a stack of re-boxed Revell re-releases at a reasonable price (although probably several 100% higher than the original price). It's labelled as "1/35" presently, but I thought it was originally 1/32? Although I could be wrong as I remember the kit from the 60's. I believe British Commando's used them.

BTW, is there an AM set for this model? A kit this old surely needs some up-grading and detailing.

The figures in this kit actually seem to be somewhere in between 1/35 and 1/32.If theres any sailors in those kits let me know.Yes commandos used them.

Tom

Here's an update on my progress.
Started pouring the Envirotex.This is about as far as I got with the 2 large bottles.Luckily Micheals here has coupons almost every week for 40-50% off 1 item.At $45 regular price it would really cost me a fortune to fill this.Need to clean the plexi sides before adding more,as i'm almost to the top of the frame.Did some work on the rigging,added the radio and anchor.Might try to redo the anchor,not overly happy with it.

Tom

The water is looking good. Keep in mind that a knife is not the best way to fend off a shark, you are better using a blunt rod like a broom handle and poking its gills and nose.