This is my DUKW. I've tried to make it represent a DUKW on D-Day or slightly there after. I made a few modifications to the kit. I filled the drain holes in the haul and scratch built the wheel skirts. I also replaced the two kit jerry cans on the rear deck with jerry cans from the Verlinden cargo set and scratch built the holders for them out of strip styrene. This is my first time I've ever tried to scratch build something. I added the Verlinden cargo set to the back (also my first time using resin) and a couple of extras from my spares box (another crate and an oil can). I also added the chain on the front. I intended the markings to mostly be generic and not represent a single vehicle, rather, just a good representation of the vehicle. I hope I've done it justice.

As for the kits, the 1/35 Italeri kit is a decent kit. Everything went together fairly well and I had no real problems with construction. However, I feel that everything is a bit...chunky. The details don't seem to be nearly as neat and crisp as on a Tamiya or Dragon kit might be (if there were such things). The Verlinden kit is nice. There are a bunch of little pin holes in the resin parts, but overall, a nice addition to the kit.

I hope you enjoy it! Also, I hope my uploading images to the forum works as this is my first go at that as well.

Looks nice, but a bit too clean for my taste.

looks good over all. The skirts are well done. I would only change the anchor's position. The anchor is stored in the the center of the stern deck with it's back end facing backwards.





happy modelling
Harald

You did a good job filling in the drain holes. Perhaps you would consider a little more under the waterline weathering? I also can't see if there are the semi-circle windshield wiper marks.

Thanks for the comments fellas!

dukw, obviously, given your name, you probably have much more of a knowledge about DUKW s than me. I know that the anchor is not in it's properly stored position. The Italeri kit doesn't come with the bracket that the anchor is stored in...either molded on or seperate. Also, I couldn't figure out how to get the anchor to sit level in it's proper position. I tried to scratch build the bracket, but nothing would ever hold together properly for me. Oh well. I'll do it differently next time. I thought about trying to scratch build the anchor and bracket, but at that point, I was becoming slightly impatient and decided that this one was good enough for my first go around. Any other critiques of yours are welcome. Also, where did you get the pics? Do you have any more?

ShermiesRule: Man, you guys are making me admit all of my faults! I appreciate your comment about filling the holes. It took some time using two coats of Tamiya putty and my sanding stick, but I got it done. I like how it turned out. I didn't weather it too much as I wasn't sure how it might be weathered below the water line. Rust, lighter color, etc... Also, approximately where would the water line fall on the haul side when in the water. I wasn't sure about that either. I wanted to do the windshield wiper swoops, but didn't have a good result that I liked. Do you know a decent method for doing this?

Keep the comments coming. They are very appreciated.

When I did my DUKW I just sort of picked an area where I thought the waterline might be. I guessed it was somewhere between the first rib below the deck and the next rib below. It sort of was a gradient as waterline will rise and fall with the loaded/unloaded weight of the DUKW. I just imagined it like a boat. Add a little bit of slime greem algae drybrushing, some salt and mineral details. and general heavier rusting than the top. That's about it.

Armorguy, that looks great. I too would dirty it up a bit, but that points already been made...

To get the windshield swoops, what I do is measure the length of the wiper. That's your radius measurement. Then with a compass, I just make a circle on a piece of blue painters tape. I cut that in half and you have your two swoops. Put them on the windshield, dirty it up a bit and then pull them off. It work's pretty well.

very nice mate. The cargo makes it look used. As to waterlines and more weathering below and less above etc I have to disagree with these comments as these things probably spent more time out of water then in it, plus the crews keep them pretty well maintained. As to the lack of windscreen wiper marks on the windscreen you would have to turn the wipers off for all of about 30 sec's and the screen would be covered in salt from the wind.

once again nice job.

cheers
Cliff

very nice and clean...well done on the DUKW. the pibber-nam boat by tamiya.. has the same detailed anchor. i just found out recently. the ones on italeri is kinda flat. hope to see more of your work..i like them clean. cheers..!

Well said.
I've found the pics somewhere in the web. Can't remember where. But i have more if you like.
I haven't build one myself. But it will happen soon. I saved it for the Wheels campaign.
As to weathering I am with Cliff. The DUKW's were used to ferry cargo from ships to shore. The water at the beaches and artifical harbours was unsoiled. No real chance to get dirty. May be that the tires picked up sand, the underwater parts of the hull were wet and the hole hull coated with salt. But as Cliff said: the US had learned there lesson in italy, where they suffered heavy losses due to unscilled men and poor maintenance. The trucks were intensivly maintained to keep them running. B.t.w : In normandy more then 50 % of all cargo was unloaded by DUKW'S

happy modelling
Harald

Hi!
What a beauty. I like it, and you can be satisfied with it. Perhaps some weathering would do it justice. I'm looking forward to do a Dukw myself.

I really like the DUKW because it's a different kind of vehicle. It's unlike most other things which makes it unique and cool!

For those of you interested in building Italeri's 1/35 DUKW, Verlinden Productions offers three aftermarket sets that I know of: No. 1910 DUKW Canvas Cover, No. 1915 DUKW Detail and Update Set and No. 1923 DUKW Cargo Set. I just used the cargo set. Any of these sets can really help you spruce up Italeri's kit I imagine. Next time I do a DUKW, I think I may try the canvas cover.