Vietnam Thread

DAVIDNOLA62 · Post by **DAVIDNOLA62** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 1:20 am

Pibber, I have a question. I see you add additional re-bar armor to many of your monitors, ATC's, etc. Do you fashion this from the GHQ Stryker Slat Armor pack?

pibber · Post by **pibber** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:46 am

Hello DAVIDNOLA62 !

In fact, I realized these additional "shields" armor with small brass wire cut into small pieces and glue them, one by one (boring !), on the model with cyanoacrylate glue.
Looking at the GHQ "slat armor Stryker, #505", it's possible that it may be appropriate (I do not have that reference #505 and one Stryker model, so I can't confirm you if length intervals of the panels is good for ATCs boats...)

The fact that it's difficult and boring to perform this modification, I did it only on two Monitor and one "Zippo" boat, I have not installed this device on my ATCs infantry transport or CCB.

On historical pictures, it appears that all ATC have not been systematically equipped with this additional "kit".
At the beginning of the commissioning of the ATCs in South Vietnam (February 67), there wasn't yet this additionnal armor bar shield around the ATCs captain's cab at the top of the ship.
I don't know the year of installation of these kits on the ATC (maybe in 1968 ?).

(If someone on the forum has additional information on this subject, it would be interesting to know from when such bar armor were installed around captain's cab.

)

DAVIDNOLA62 · Post by **DAVIDNOLA62** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:10 am

Thank you Pibber. I'll order a pack of Stryker Slat Armor and we'll see. I'll let you know if it looks like a possible fit

pibber · Post by **pibber** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:40 am

(If it's appropriate, it will interest me because I project to equip few other boats...

)

DAVIDNOLA62 · Post by **DAVIDNOLA62** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:37 am

I intend modifying a stock GHQ monitor into a 105mm monitor and historically, the turret was surrounded by a re-bar screen, so I'm looking for alternatives to making it from scratch

pibber · Post by **pibber** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:31 pm

Very interesting project !

Maybe it could help you if you take an US tank turret (maybe GHQ US's M48 or M47 Patton...) : you can try to lightly modify the turret design, cut the gun to have the 105mm gun turret for your Monitor...
(this turret originaly come from LVT-H 6 Amtrack)

I wish GHQ could make one day the "Program V" Vietnam riverine boats, it would be great !
(new monitor, new ASPB, new ATC with new larger Helipad on the deck carrier)

Good luck for your project !

DAVIDNOLA62 · Post by **DAVIDNOLA62** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:36 pm

Yes, I intend on using an M47 turret. Not a great solution, but the best one available. I convinced another supplier (not GHQ) to create a douche boat, so I'm quite pleased about that

DAVIDNOLA62 · Post by **DAVIDNOLA62** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 3:17 am

It is and was called a "douche boat"

pibber · Post by **pibber** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 4:00 am

Pictures of the "beast", for you cama :

This ATC carry hight spray system to wash away ground cover or erode enemy fortifications near the water. Water was sucked up through a pipe which ran over the stern.
This boat be able to destroy VC foxhole on rivers banks.

Don't know this boat number.
Don't know how many boats were convert. I only see picture of ATC T111-6 with this system. (boat who belong to RAS 11, Riv Div 111)
Maybe, three ships were build (?).

Interesting informations on this website :
http://www.mrfa.org/Douche.Boat.htm

Very interesting model to make in scratch !

DAVIDNOLA62 · Post by **DAVIDNOLA62** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 4:15 am

One boat, I think the one in your bottom photo, was named "Irma LaDouche". Pibber, when the two douche boats I ordered arrive, I'll let you know what the quality level is

pibber · Post by **pibber** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 4:35 am

Dog Smack · Post by **Dog Smack** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 12:06 pm

pibber,

Your minis look incredible! Your scratch building abilities are awesome.... truly inspiring. If you have the time I think the crowd on th forum would love to see a tutorial on how you make such detailed models from strips of styrene. I know I would. And of course more pictures would also be greatly appreciated!! Looking forward to your latest installment of your Vietnam stuff! Keep up the good work.

Steve

DAVIDNOLA62 · Post by **DAVIDNOLA62** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 6:49 am

Pibber (and all others):

My shipment of two douche boats and two zippo monitors arrived from Britain today. I'm really very impressed with the quality of the models. To my eyes, they aren't far off GHQ quality. They are 1/300 and not 1/285, however that's only a 5.25% size difference and I've never been much of a scale Nazi anyway. Sitting beside my GHQ monitor, the size difference is only slight and really not all that noticeable. I'll get a few photos up once I've assembled and painted my little treasures! Ian, I know you watch this thread, so thank you so much for the outstanding work you've done!

DAVIDNOLA62 · Post by **DAVIDNOLA62** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 8:22 am

I'll hang on a few bits from my GHQ spare parts bag and these little guys will look great!

pibber · Post by **pibber** » Sat Jun 01, 2013 9:59 pm

Few pictures, just to bring back the thread...

MRB"one", Nha Be.

Riverine base (colors retouched)

Vietnam Thread

A question for Pibber

slat bar armor ATC

Follow up

bring back