US Navy Swift Boat (PCF)...Building the base too!

[Guest]

Will look forward to what you do with it Ron.

[spanner570]

Thanks folks,


There is a figure with the kit, but to be honest I wouldn't even put him up the garden for target practice!...However, if I can't find any 1/48 U.S. Marine figures, I might yet sling him onboard. So if anyone sees any in Vietnam era Marines in 1/48 please let me know. Thanks.


I'm well impressed with this kit. Although few in parts, Revell have managed to mould in some good detail, to give a nice end result.


Because it's brush painted, I was able to introduce the weathering with each coat. I stopped at two coats, as anymore would have given a smooth surface to both the hull and deck, which was not what I wanted. These boats were worked hard and would be well worn!


When I want a boat or ship to be in water, I always make the waterline / boot topping a rough, well worn edge. A hard line is great when on a stand, but not when in a muddy, dirty environment.


O.K., here is the boat painted up. I used the acrylic paints that came with the kit applied with a No.2 flat head brush - and very good they were too.










The rough waterline painting....You can just make out the subtle streaking on the hull. I did this by working along the hull, roughly flicking the brush up and down as I went along the length and allowing the paint to then run down where it wanted to go. The deck was done the same, but keeping the brush strokes bow to stern.










Showing a bit of bow detail. I will make some 'real' rope coils, plus loads of other stuff as and when they sprink to life in my nut!. I also painted the inside a matt black. This seemed to be the best colour to hide the total lack of interior detail - not that I'm bothered, I doubt it would be seen anyway!






Next up, the windows and then I can get really stuck into the weathering.


Thanks for looking,


Ron

[BBdave]

Have you checked out any of the brown water navy websites for pictures?


Dave

[spanner570]

Hi Dave,


No I haven't as yet - Good idea.


I've only been on Google Images. There are some great pictures there, so plenty of inspiration. I'll certainly have a look at the sites you mention and thanks again for the helpful suggestion. I appreciate it.


Ron

[monica]

looking good,I,m liking what your doing,


great idea along the water line to show the warn on the paint,its worked well,

[flyjoe180]

Nice job so far Ron, your weathering expertise will bring this to life. Will you be posing it in a muddy delta?

[spanner570]

Thanks Monica, I do prefer to break up the hard waterline colours when the boat is 'used'


Joe, thanks for your post. I don't know yet how I'll pose the boat..Coastal, muddy delta, narrow river or a canal - plenty of choice.


Here is a small update.


I've fitted and painted the windows. The windows and frame are moulded in one piece of clear plastic with a small rebate. The whole thing pushes against the window opening from the outside leaving a raised frame sitting proud of the superstructure. Very clever, but a sod to paint. I always paint aircraft canopies and frames freehand wthout masking - I don't mind 1, but this thing has 18 window frames to paint!


Here's a tip that might be of some use to anyone who doesn't already know. If, when painting with acrylics near clear plastic 'glass' and some paint does get on the glass, don't wipe it off. Let it dry completely and then gently remove it with a sharpened cocktail stick.....Other methods are no doubt available.


Here's the windows in waiting for paint.....






Frames painted using a OO fine point brush.






The superstructure plonked on, but not glued.






Next, fit and glue on the superstructure, some detailed painting and the decals.


Cheers,


Ron

[Gern]

You wanted some figures Ron?


Here you go:


http://propaganda-kompany.com/Accessoires-Figurines/90245-us-vietnam-infantry-for-m113-a1-3-fig.html


... a real bargain at just under £60 each!!!! So how many sets do you want?

[Lee W]

Missed this one!...and now following!


Looking good Ron...for me it would be the Brown Water Navy...somewhere up the Mekong!?


Lee

[spanner570]

Thanks for your posts Dave and Lee...


I knew 'Hunter Dave' would come up trumps. I reckon I could get 20 of these figures on the deck, about to be dropped off on a special mission.


The cost? Only £1200. Cheers Dave, I've just ordered them....I can hardly wait for the wife to come home, so I can tell her what I've done...she will be so please and excited!


Thanks Lee. Yes, I'm leaning towards some sort of inland waterway - The Mekong or perhaps some sort of narrow channel.

[Gern]

Thanks for your posts Dave and Lee...
I knew 'Hunter Dave' would come up trumps. I reckon I could get 20 of these figures on the deck, about to be dropped off on a special mission.


The cost? Only £1200. Cheers Dave, I've just ordered them....I can hardly wait for the wife to come home, so I can tell her what I've done...she will be so please and excited!


Thanks Lee. Yes, I'm leaning towards some sort of inland waterway - The Mekong or perhaps some sort of narrow channel.

Just glad to be of help Ron! I take it we can look forward to an action-packed dio full of figures like your Rourke's Drift build then?


Mind you, I would expect them to be made of solid gold for that price. Nice but not very accurate camo!

[Guest]

Nice painting on the window frame's.

[monica]

looking good on this one,liking it so far,


and what very nice figures,but ouch on the cost,

[spanner570]

Thanks all, I'm glad you approve so far...


Those £60 figures will have to wait - I might just buy a lottery ticket!


I've finished painting the boat, I used the paints in the kit. They were rather like those little plastic tubs you get in Airfix kits - they went on just fine using a flatheaded brush and a fine point one for detail work.


Then I added the decals - Not many of these, a bit fiddly the ones on the two life-rings. Next, I need to weather it, add some rigging, an antenna, plus various bits to make it look used and in action....Then tackle the water.


















Thanks for looking,


Ron

[Guest]

Looking real good Ron,can't wait to see the weathering.