Smudge Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 The Pibber has arrived. Tried to get hold of a copy of Squadron Signal reference book on the Vietnam Riverine forces, but no luck. Still, a few pictures on the old www which should help. Really looking forward to this one. Need to clear a bit of space on the bench first though. Can any one recommend a good aftermarket source to replace some of the weapons? Maybe some brass etch or resin? M60's/M62's and M16A1 I think? The kit ones are ok but I am sure we could do better. Also maybe some ammo boxes and general stores to busy things up a bit. I'm no armour modeller, so equipment wise this will all be a bit new. Thanks for looking. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 Looking forward to this. Badger is the guy to chat to about 1:72 weapons and stores. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 Wow....I'm kinda jealous! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milktrip Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 This looks pretty cool. Will be watching with interest 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 (edited) Ooh....very nice, look forward to following this one. Dermot Edited November 8, 2015 by Dermo245 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight_Flyer Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 Not usually into boats but I am looking forward to seeing the completed build on this one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philp Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Goffy Models made some stuff that might have worked but they are out of business. Might find something 2nd hand. Black Wolf also might have some stuff. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Looks like an interesting project! ​ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Happy to offer replacement .50cal MGs.....Sadly my collection is 99.999% WWII so I can't do M60s or GLs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 Thanks for your interest guys. I already feel slightly under pressure! Seriously though, thanks for pointing me in the right direction re the 'guns' and the kind offer of help, Sgt. Here are a couple of pics of the kit parts. They're no so bad I suppose, considering. Need a bit of a clean up (understatement). I am surprised there is not more available in after market bits and bobs for US military stuff (showing my ignorance of any sort of proper terminology) considering I found some nice German and Russian stuff on Hannants web site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 I was supposed to get on with the C-123 a bit before starting the Pibber, but I got kind of carried away. Started cleaning a few bits up, then stuck them together. Unfortunately I did rush on a bit, and after securely fastening the back (stern) of the Pibber together (see picture above and note the three clamps) I realised that there was a bit of an issue. The stern of the Pibber is flat/straight across its top line, and I had clamped it to a slightly sunken/depressed hull. So after realising the error of my ways I released the clamps and loosened the upper part. The stern of the hull has obviously suffered a bit of sagging. I will try to fix this with some small inserts of plastic card. Best to do the research first, then glue the kit parts, not the other way round! Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 Just a pic of the detail on the cabin bulkhead, where the wheel and other controls will go. I thought it was nicely done. It looks better smaller. Cheers guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 A plasticard insert and extra thin styrene mix to fill the gaps then file it down should work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philp Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Some more on weapons. You can get M-16s and M-79s from these guys. Hannants might carry them. http://www.okbgrigorov.com/ The 72nd scale ACAV kits come with a couple nice M-60 (much better than in the Mach 2 box). Not sure you want to buy a whole kit just for a couple guns but maybe someone has some left over. Would be ESCI/Italeri or Trumpeter versions. Extra Tech also do some weapons in PE but not sure how convincing these would be. http://www.pmilona.cz/doplky-1-72/264-moderni-zapadni-palne-zbran.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshanks Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Following with interest, looks like it might be easier in 1/35 Wee Friends are listing 0.5cal., M60 and M16 Hope this helps http://www.onthewaymodels.com/kitlists/WeeFriendsKit.htm Kev 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 With a (very) careful cleanup the kit M60 LMGs & M16s should look OK.....I can certainly find you a better pair of .50cals for the forward turret. I may have some ESCI Vietnam Special Forces figures, if I can dig 'em out I'll send you what I have spare (finding them is going to be a right mission). PM me with your contact details and I'll get something sorted. I can heartily recommend Wee Friends.....Ian is a splendid fellow and his products and service are second to none. http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/ian_friendship_models?_trksid=p2053788.m1543.l2754 If he doesn't have what you are after listed get in touch anyway, if he can help out, in my experience, he will. PS - I can recommend OKB Grigorov too.....Sometimes takes a little longer, but they're in Bulgaria, so no surprises there! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAG058 Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 I have somehow missed this one up until now! Good start so far. Reminds me of Apocalypse Now! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Very apt for this build, I suspect! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted November 12, 2015 Author Share Posted November 12, 2015 Thanks for all the links guys. I have had a quick look, I'm sure I should be able to find plenty of suitable stuff from that lot. Amazing what's out there when you know where to look! With a (very) careful cleanup the kit M60 LMGs & M16s should look OK.....I can certainly find you a better pair of .50cals for the forward turret. I may have some ESCI Vietnam Special Forces figures, if I can dig 'em out I'll send you what I have spare (finding them is going to be a right mission). PM me with your contact details and I'll get something sorted. Thanks Sgt. I don't want to put you to any bother. I was thinking about those ESCI figures, they might have some in my local shop, at least I'm sure I saw some in there once. I will pop in and have a look. If I get really stuck I will drop you a line. Cheers for the Apocalypse Now clip, I am going to try and watch the film this weekend, for research purposes 'My orders say I'm not supposed to know where I'm taking this boat, so I don't! But one look at you, and I know it's gonna be hot! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hacker Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 Was there a 1/48 pibber? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 Was there a 1/48 pibber? https://www.scalemates.com/kits/265056-monogram-8299-river-patrol-boat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshanks Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 Build currently going on here http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234991226-revell-swift-boat-pcf/ Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 Hi Snapper, followed that link and have to say never seen that RAG boat kit before. A bit of Googling revealed it as predecessor to the PBR/Riverine craft, probably a local conversion used by French forces during their Indo-China campaign. Certainly no mention of it in my Osprey publication 128 Vietnam Riverine Craft 1962-75. It would look good in a diorama with the Revell PCF. Shame, I don't think there is a 1/48 PBR, but the Tamiya 1/35 kit is probably about as good as it get's. I am 1/72 guy myself, and mostly aviation subjects. I hope to display my PBR with a suitable 'chopper of some description. Huey or Jolly Green, or maybe under a SkyCrane. But that's for the future. longshanks, thanks for the link to the PCF build. I have been following it (for ideas, ha ha) I would like one of these in 1/72, look great next to the pibber. Cheers guys. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hacker Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 https://www.scalemates.com/kits/265056-monogram-8299-river-patrol-boat Should have known Monogram would have done one. Now where to find one. Build currently going on here http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234991226-revell-swift-boat-pcf/ Kev Seen that and was thinking of it as an alternative for what l have planned down the road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted December 6, 2015 Author Share Posted December 6, 2015 (edited) The PBR is coming together. Ok, so it's Mach2 and there is a fair old bit of parts clean up required, but it's nothing too demanding and I am really enjoying the change from aircraft kits. Here are a few of the smaller parts after a bit of the aforementioned cleaning up. Bow turret, 50 cals and the spot light. Drilled out the light and inserted a 'little lens'. Anchor, and Fire Extinguisher (Fires, out, for the use of) Stern 50 cal and armoured shield, plus one of the M60's after a bit of fettling. Nav radar and lights on the main mast. Started with a bit of painting. Need to do the cockpit before the canopy goes on. Working on my dry brushing and highlighting techniques, which are a bit hit and miss at the best of times. Looking at pictures of these vessels, they appear to be quite a dark green. So I have gone with this Humbrol shade. Hope you like it! Cheers. (I am being summoned for the 'Strictly' results. Catch up latter) Thanks for looking. Edited December 7, 2015 by Smudge 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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