I snapped a few shots of my Italeri DUKW this weekend before I shot paint.

Here's a shot of the "cockpit" area. I replaced the clunky mesh behind the seats with some diamond mesh. Added lots of bits that aren't in the original kit.


Here's a shot of the front end. I decided to model it with the windshield and surfboard in folded positions -- always trying to make thinds look a little different. Added lots of detail bits and made my own headlight guards from PE sprues. My bilge pump had a big sinkhole, so I made a new one with some styrene tubing.


Another view of the front end. You can see I also replaced the screens on the air intakes, as well as added a new exhaust pipe. You can kind of see the pedals I added inside. The mirrors are on -- must be ready for paint!


Here's the rear end. More home-made PE light guards, scratch anchor (one small piece from the kit part), nylon winch cable with chain and hook.


I masked off the "cockpit" and tires (I painted the bottom and wheels weeks ago, and the interior as I was building it). Model Masters OD right out of the spray can. Added some temorary stowage just to see how much stuff it is going to take to fill the rear end ...


I'm going to mark it with Archer transfers -- a couple simple white stars and blue drab registration numbers.

Lots of extra goodies you put in there.

nice work , i ve just started mine for the Overlord Campaign. Could u post some pic of the finished cockpit ?

looks like it was a good build. I like all the little bits and pieces you have added to make it better then simply OOB.

my only comment would be to watch the size of nylon/ string etc. that you use as winch cable as it is easy to get it looking oversize to the scale of the model.

Other then that great work.

nice build Bob.very good additions..congrats

Thanks for the comments, gents.

It's been a fun build so far. I was really happy when Italeri came out with this kit -- I had been gathering information for years with the idea of scratch-building one. It's usually much easier to modify and detail an existing kit than to do it all from scratch. Somewhere I even have some woven string that would be perfect for the rope bumpers -- now all I have to do is remember where I put the stuff ...




I understand what you are saying, Roo. I think the photos make the string look bigger than it does in real life -- something about that white on a dark background that makes it really pop out at you. With paint on it, it has toned down quite a bit and looks more to scale. We'll see how it looks when it's finished ... I'd sure hate to try to replace that cable now.

Goose -- not sure if I can get any closer to the driving compartment (limitations of the camera, you know). If you are interested in adding your own details, you might want to check out this site for lots of nice detail shots of a couple different DUKWs: http://www.kmk-scaleworld.be/walkAround/DUKW/ One word of warning on these pics -- it looks like the owners have added some extra lights to the front.

Hi Bob ..looking good so far can't wait to see it all finished ..I was wondering if you have more pictures of what you did to the anchor as this is one thing holding me back from doing this kit.. Keep up the great work.

Rick

looking great Bob. Im admiring all the little extras. It adds so much. I have mines at the prepaint stage, but have decided to wait to get some pieces to add to it as well. I have the Tamiya 6 x 6 update set and a guy has promised me the hood bows from his 6 x 6 as he converted his with a bofors gun. I see you have filled all the holes as well. What size is the diamond mesh you have used? By who? This looks perfect. Might try to fit some of that as well!
It all looks pretty impressive. cant wait to see it with decals and weathering!

hi one small problem you have left the extra dash board on for the tyre inflation system , if you intend to fit the tyre inflation to the wheels ok otherwise it needs removing , cheers ian

Rick -- I don't have any pics of the anchor off the vehicle. I cobbled it together from syrene strip and sheet using the photos at the above "Walk Around" link as reference. It took two tries; the first was too small.

PB -- The mesh is some stuff I picked up years ago from a show vendor or maybe at a model railroad store. It's Scale Scenics Micro Mesh -- sorry, no part number or address. I only have the back of the package, which includes some drawings for scratch-building a (1/72nd scale?) aircraft service platform and industrial fencing. I am sure I have seen other companies making this stuff -- perhaps even in stainless steel. The stuff I have is brass. Here's a link for a seller I found in a Google search:
http://www.zip.com.au/~mrc/supplies-004.htm

Ian -- What part of the dash is the pressure system? I have lots of pics and the Squadron "DUKW in Action" book, but none of them explain the dash panel. At this point in the build, adding the tire inflation system would probably be easier to add than to try to modify the assembled and painted dash. This might be another case where I might end up knowing too much...

Thanks to all for comments and suggestions! Maybe I can get back to this tonight -- the paint has had a couple days to cure.

Nice looking DUKW you have going there I realy like that PE mesh you put in behind the seats. All the small, added details will make this kit come alive when you're all finished. Perfecto !!

Cheers !!

Alpen

Beautiful Duck - I like that you hand made some of your extra detail instead of buying it all Aftermarket.
Thats something I hope to pick up this year or next in my modeling skill growth.

Cant wait to see her all finished up

hi bob the very small extention to the main dash board as you look at on the far right hand side this was fitted to the mk 3 only onwards. the mk one and two did not have the tyre inflation system it was manual . hope this helps cheers ian ps there are 5 mks in all

Thanks, Ian.

When I looked at it again, I thought that might be the culprit. Dang, now I have to make a decision ... Change the dash, add the inflation system to the wheels, or ignore it on this model and drive on ... Hmmmm ... maybe I can pop the steering wheel off, then do a bit of minor surgery ....

hi bob , i forgot to add the colour of the relectors on the side of the hull are orange , hope this helps cheers ian

hi bob nice job. i also like all the parts u added its comeing a long really nice.
i might build of of thesein a few weeks i want the one with the 105 on it,
iam haveing a blast with my sherman right now

Hi! very good,

for me it is very nice the PE mesh diamond behind the seats. Please I need any reference about de size, type or any data about the mesh adiamond holes in your proyect. I need anything similar to this.

Thanks