Great Models Webstore now has the Trumpeter LCM3 in stock. Mine shipped today. I can't wait to get it. Oh the possibilities. I think I will stretch it out to a LCM6 and make it into a Vietnam ATC(H) or Monitor. Or maybe a Korean war landing at Inchon with an M45 or M46 on board. We shall see.

My LCM kit was just delivered . Really nice kit and big . Starting the reasearch and planning now . So far I can find no pics of a LCM with the ramp cable going along the side of the craft . All seem to go under the deck below the pulleys . Now if I can only find all my references . Gotta check out them pesky details .
As for the LCM 6 , Looks like the place to cut and plice would be at the forward raised bulkhead in the bottom of the hull . Only ordered one to see if I liked it . Now I'll order another for that LCM 6 conversion .
Joe

Gino and Joe:

I am looking forward to getting this kit!

What are your opinions about the .50 cals and their mounts? The sprue/parts pics I've seen make them look pretty good, but I'd like to get your feelings.

I've have some LCM3 plans for years, but never started the project because I didn't have enough info on the MG mounts.

Mine is supposed to arrive today. I'll let you know once I get it.

Howdy fellas,

My LHS had it on the shelf, in the 'new release' section on Thursday. Unfortunately they didn't open the box (they usually open the kit box in the 'new release' section so you can check it out) so I didn't get a good look at the 'innards'......what I did notice, was the $64.95 price tag!......for what appears to be a pretty simple kit, that many sheckles seems a tad steep.
But, what do I know.

Tread.

BTW Gino, I like the idea of the LCM '6'.

{EDIT}.......But!....I also noticed the new Academy 1/48th scale Chinook was only $44.95!......now, as far as I'm concerned that's a smokin' price for a kit of that size, and complexity.

The 50 cals are probably the nicest parts in the kit along with the PE for the mount and shield . Molding of the kit looks to be Italerish .

Since I don't know what reference they used for this kit . I really hate to call them outright mistakes but it's beginning to look like a whole lot more work for the rivet counters . Could be variations between builders and build dates . An easy correction would be bilge pump holes in the hull sides . Should be one per side and not the two in the kit . I figure I'll split the difference and put one between the kit ones . Then remove the kit ones . Now the tank deck is a real bummer . At the rear of the tank deck should be a (5) hole drain plate . The kit has a rectangular access type plate . The kit has raised decking under the traction bars which doesn't appear right . Also should be almost twice as many bars . Then there are the bilge access plates up the center of the tank deck . Kit has 2 large covers forward and 4 small under where the tank would be . Pics I have show 3 round and or oval plates for the LCM3 and 4 for the LCM6 . I think it would be easyer to replace the tank deck than fix it . Or just build it and have fun . Very few people would know the difference .
Ah , just found one of their references for the kit . It's the Verlinden waterline doorstop LCM3 . Just remembered that I had one in the to be gotten rid of pile . Took one look at the Verlinden kit and tossed it inthe pile . Obvious problem is the tank deck is below the water line . Your only supposed to see the tank turret above the craft sides , not the tracks .
Joe
BTW , I'm not a rivet counter . Just think that a model should look like it has enough !

Just scanned in the 1/2 dozen photos I have of a LCM-6 in Buffalo . If they have it back on display I will go take more pics . It was removed last time I was there because of construction .
http://community.webshots.com/album/159085650sFQhye
I think there is an LCM-3 on display at Battleship Cove , Falls River Mass . We have any volunteers over thata way ?
Joe

FEDEX just arrived and dropped off mine.

Looks good to me from the box. MGs are great, at least as good as the new Academy MG set .50s. Lots of possibilities here. Looks like it will be a great build.

Hmmmm. When I read your comments, Joe, I had to dig out my refs. I have some scale drawings that match the kit pretty closely (looking at photos of the parts sprues on the Perth site http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/trumpeter/tr00347.htm ), so they may have the same reference.

I also have photos that look like what you have.

Perhaps these craft varied from maker to maker? Or maybe there were production changes? I suppose that as this kit makes its way out into people's hands, there will be all sorts of reference photos hitting the web. All I have now are old photo-copies.

Your right , I spoke to soon ! I found my old floating drydock drawings and it's like the kit . Also there's a pic in the dragon Wagon book showing the same ramp cable set up as the kit . Kit must be right . Must be different versions floating around .
Joe