Drew's SEAL Team Insertion

[homechild]

Finally I can start on a Vietnam build.

My initial plan wasn't going to work out due to the kit I wanted being unavailable everywhere...so, on to what I AM going to do.

I'm going to build a diorama showing a US Navy SEAL Team being dropped off by a US Navy PBR31 "Pibber" somewhere along the Mekong River. Still waiting on a few kits to arrive but here are the "Pibber" box shots.

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[papa 695]

A nice choice Drew will look forward to see this

[Guest]

That should be a nice one to build Drew, any thoughts on how you're going to do the river?

Cheers

Patrick

[Ian M]

Good Choice, I must admit I was very close to buying the Piber and doing a scene on a river.

Place lack of room, time and to many other things prevented it.

So, now I can kick back and watch your build instead :-)

Ian M

[homechild]

Hope I don't disappoint! Haven't planned out the river yet, Patrick. I'm sure there'll be one or two tutorials online though.

[homechild]

Here are the guys on the sideline waiting to be called into action.

I can't remember how many of members were in a SEAL team so a bit of research on that first and then decide who of the lucky guys get to go first.

Sorry the pics aren't great but they were done in a bit of a rush.

The boat has had a little bit of work done to it, not much but I'll get some progress shots up next time. It's gone together pretty well, just a little bit of filler was needed where the deck met the bow at the port side (hey, how nautical am I, lol).

Oh, and the foam boards I'd ordered for the base arrived today too...yay!

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[Ian M]

Some nice figures there Drew.

I know a chap over here that has built the Piber, as an R/C boat!!!

Ian M

[homechild]

Here are some in progress shots of the boat. It's going together pretty well and I'm off work this week so hoping to get a few more hours in than I normally would.

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I've also decided that a 6 man SEAL team will be getting dropped off.

The guys I'll be using are all of the SEAL Team II (figure kit on the left) and two figures from the SEAL Team in the middle (the guy on the far left with the "blooper" and the guy kneeling down).

I'm going to keep the LRRP guys in the stash for a later build.

Anyway, the boat's going together well, no real problems with it at all, the cabin hasn't been attached yet, need to keep that off to do the control panel, etc, first.

I've also started work on the base. Got some hard packed foam and have cut out the shape for the boat to slot into. Pasted some PVA onto one side and I'm astounded at how long it's taking to dry!!

That's almost 24 hours now and it's still not 100% dry (nearly there though).

Just off to do some airbrushing now.

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[homechild]

Well, it's been a pretty slow build, not for any reason other than I've been a bit lazy to be perfectly honest.

Thought I'd post some pics of where I currently am.

I got some foam, cut out the shape of the hull and covered it in PVA (which took an age to set). I then got some plastic card to make the "frame" for it.

Cheap polyfilla type stuff was used for the river bank and today I stuck the boat in. The boat still has a bit of work to be done on it but they're all little bits, and besides, most of it is already painted, just needs stuck on and a little bit of weathering.

The figures are not that far along so no photo's of them yet but they shouldn't take too long to do (once I get my finger out!!).

So, here are the pics, I took them today but didn't realise the setting on my camera was wrong for the light that I was getting (only realised when I downloaded them) so I've played about with the colour and have managed to make them slightly better.

So, I'm off to play with clear resin now to try to get it right for the water. A friend of mine has just come back from Vietnam and she took a boat ride through the Mekong Delta so I have some nice photos of river bank foliage and the not so nice river colour to work with!

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[papa 695]

Liking it so far Drew

[Guest]

Looking great Drew,watching this one for sure!

[spanner570]

Drew, I've been quietly watching this develop.....

It's really starting to take shape now. The Piber looks the part and I'm very impressed with the water. Hurry up with pictures with the resin added, it'll look great I'm sure.

Top work,

Ron

[homechild]

Thanks for the comments guys.

I'm still waiting for the resin. I was sure it would arrive today but apparently there was some sort of celebration at the start of the week so I guess this could have slowed down the delivery time.

It looks like it'll be next week before I get to do the river, still I have other bits and pieces to be getting on with (and I better get my finger out...time marches on).

[homechild]

Quick update before I put the wee one to bed.

I've added some scenery and the water.

Still got four more SEAL's to go on (currently substituted by 4 bits of wire), finish of the Pibber crew, put the roof and weapons on the boat and finish it off with some more scenery.

Still waiting on some scenery stuff arriving, it's looking like it'll be down to the wire anyway...just hope the plants arrive in time.

Here's where I am just now.

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[spanner570]

That looks great Drew...I reckon that water colour is spot on, nice one!

Let's hope your stuff arrives in time. Which reminds me, I'd best get my finger out too!

Cheers,

Ron