PBR me ASAP***finished***

[jssel]

This will hopefully be the completion of a project started in 2012 during the "Down to the Sea in Ships" GB that I busted.

The start can be found here: http://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=207&t=3625;

And so it continues.



Pilot house is test fit and clean up paintwork on the non-skid hull is done.

[jssel]

Another step along the way. Now I know why this was a DNF in the group build. The deck housing piece has four distinct attach points and if they are not just right, there is a nasty gap in front where it meets up with the bow. It took quite a bit of fudging but when it was aligned right, it snapped right into place.



The Raytheon radar dome is only test fit for right now. Tamiya put knockout tab marks everywhere on this kit and unlike newer releases, they would be in plain sight.

[ShaunW]

It's good to see one of these on the go Jeff. I have one in my stash that I bought about 20 years ago or so.

[jssel]

Next installment showing the forward gun station ready to attach. It is fully articulated to turn and raise and lower the guns.



Mid-ship gun station with armor plating and pins for a M79 grenade launcher and the M60.



The four holes in the bridge bulkhead is to mount two M16's

Here is closeup of the bridge area with instrumentation. Nice detail provided in the kit. The round thing in front of the wheel is I believe a deck compass and will have a lens on it before I am done. Also noticed that a radar mast support brace has been broken.



So we are pressing on moving up the Nung river.

[Clashcityrocker]

Also noticed that a radar mast support brace has been broken.

The horror Nice boat.

Nigel

[jssel]

Thanks Nigel.

[gnomemeansgnome]

The Do Long Bridge was the last Army outpost; beyond it was Kurtz......... Great build so far.

[ShaunW]

Nice one, this gets better

[jssel]

No pics today but working on the guns and stowage. Lots of it. Two 55 gallon fuel drums, clear water bottles, ammo cans, coolers etc. What, no Budweiser beer cans? I think they must have had a Government contract for trustworthy beer. A trip to the LMS for M.V. Products LE209 lens for the spotlights. Stern deck railing installed now.

Getting near completion now.

[jssel]

So "deck stores" are being added today.

MV Lens in place:





Bow guns installed. One ammo belt slipped out.





State of play.



Studying up on how a draping flag should look. The kit provides a paper flag.

[jssel]

Just about time to wrap things up on this build.

Today I got the sunscreen attached and weathered with some Tamiya Khaki.



You can see a bit of the stowage in the lower right of the picture. It includes a "boom box" which was so important to listen to the jams the Armed Forces Radio censored.

Just before putting on the roof I snapped a shot of the M-16's mounted showing off the slings I made with masking tape.

[ShaunW]

This really is looking great Jeff with some excellent details - for instance those slings have really improved the M-16s.

[Old_Tonto]

Bother. Now I want one!

Great build Jeff.

[jssel]

Thanks O-T. Finishing up the stowage and it will be done.

[splash]

Bother. Now I want one!

Great build Jeff.

I was thinking the same, having just watched "Apocalypse Now" last week on TV, I have the urge to build one, its a shame they don't do one in 1/48 like the swift boat.

As OT said, great build Jeff.

Regards Splash