introduction

You Braille Scalers are right to get testy about the way you're ignored.

Everything seems to be about 1/35th, with Quarter Scale a sort of after-thought. That's all been changing as styrene manufacturers have begun releasing some interesting 1/72nd scale versions of their bigger kits. Just because the kit is small doesn't mean it doesn't need good weathering, and Glenn Bartolotti's "Step-by-Step Armor Finishing" series has taken up the Dragon LVT-(A)1.

what you get

The 13-page booklet comes with a brief introduction from Wikipedia and color photographs showing the painting and weathering process.

the review
The Landing Vehicle Tracked or LVT was developed from a craft designed by Donald Roebling in 1935 intended to rescue hurricane victims - and, rumor has it, herd alligators in the Everglades (hence its nickname the Alligator). The Marine Corps became interested following an article in Life magazine, and the amtrac (amphibious tractor) was born.

Intended to bring cargo ashore on beachheads, the LVT quickly became a major means of landing troops. After the Marines were slaughtered in the Tarawa landing in 1943, the Corps saw the need for in-close fire support, and the LVT-(A)1 was born. Based on the LVT-2 chassis. it sported a 37mm gun in a turret identical to the M3 Stuart light tank.

The book assumes the reader will be building the Dragon LVT-(A)1 kit in 1/72nd scale, but the techniques here are applicable to any scale. The LVTs were deployed off larger ships called LSTs (Landing Ship Tank), and swam in the sea right up to the gunwales, so rust was a constant problem for upkeep. Naturally a good deal of the techniques are focused on using powders like those from MIG (the series sponsor) to render the right effects.

One thing I enjoy about this series is Glenn and his other master modelers aren't coy about the products they use, naming names and alleviating any nervousness beginning or even intermediate builders might have. The booklet lays out the painting and shading options, then goes to the rust powders, finishing up with a very credible LVT-(A)1.

conclusion

For the price ($1.95) you can't lose with these booklets. The techniques are applicable to any scale, yet it's nice to see Braille Scale singled out this way, especially with the great new 1/72nd kits making their way onto shelves.

Thanks to Glenn Bartolotti for providing this review sample. Be sure to mention you saw it reviewed on Armorama when ordering.