Might as well kick off the build. The Airfix Typhoon is just about finished so there is room on the bench.





It's a relatively small vessel and the fit is good except for aft bulkhead which needed some trimming and puttying to make it fit. The screw and rudder assembly is interesting, with big protection plates and a bar to keep the rudders and screws from harm when the ship is parked on the beach to unload.

Hi Julian
Watching with interest

Cheers Kev

Hi Kev,
thank you !

Hi Julian, I will follow this build closely because I also contemplated buying this kit. Am I right that these vessels were not used in Normandy?

Groet,

Arjan

Hi Arjan,
nearly 100% sure on that. Time frame for the LSM was May 44 - November 45 with 550 being built. All 4 versions in the kit are from the Pacific theater of operations with 201 and 210 having the most sexy camo.

Ahoy Julian

Great idea for a build.

Looking forward to this blog.

Cheers


Sean

Hi Sean,
thanks mate

Hello Julian, I'll be following along also. I'm holding off adding this kit to the stash, hoping for the rocket-firing LSM(R)version to come along. Al

I expect an R version will appear looking at all the holes under the decks that can be drilled open. I was rather curious and the price is very reasonable

I like 1/144th as a scale for small combatants, have the Fletcher and would love a DE in this scale. Maybe an LST? Al

October 17th update:
this little ship falls together with very nearly no fit problems, (if anything the bow doors fit so nicely they don't stay closed ).
The Sherman will benefit from some TLC when I get around to painting it. The stern anchor winch is a very hefty piece of machinery:













The underwater ship is looking very nice in the coat of anti-fouling.
Fun build so far

Jajajja are a sabandija!!! Jajaj one was losing it!!!! Interesting project you have in the shipyard...

Cheers Daniel

Hi Julian,

Looks a great kit, fancied this since it was announced.

Following with interest.

Si

an unusual floaty thing this time Daniel,couldn't resist buying it

Good morning Simon,
nice choice of subject from RoG. I hope they do the rocket support version too,

Nice work Julian - as always. I feel tempted, if only I had too much going on already ..

Hi Jan,
thank you. After a short intermission with the Typhoon I am back to floaty things again.

October 18th update:
Bow and stern anchors fitted: the stern anchor is a very hefty construction designed to aid dragging the LSM back off the beach. The first 4 20mm gun tubs have been fitted as have some of the life rafts. The deck cargo is slowly growing although I have gathered from some discussions on-line that the choice of vehicles is rather unusual for the Pacific theater of war:










Time for a very nice New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc before dinner methinks

Hi Julian,

Looking leally good, the vehicles look too, nicely detailed and simple.

Agree the bombardment fits would be great, and some D Day decals & British Vehicles would be good too.

Going down to the model show at RNAS Yeovilton next Saturday, will be looking for one of these kits.

Cheers Si

I can recommend it Simon. Fit is quite reasonable.

Hi Julian,

This looks like a interesting choice! I don't think it something I would ever try but I definitely will keep watching. And I agree with the earlier sentiments, I didn't see any Shermans in those John Wayne movies as he and the Marine Corps battled through the Pacific

cheers
Michael

Hi Michael,
I am sure the Sherman was used at Iwo Jima and Okinawa albeit different versions. The LSM is something completely of the beaten track though.

Shermans were definitely used by USMC in the Pacific. A photo of a flame-thrower version of the M4A3 on Iwo Jima.



This is basically the same version included with the LSM. Note the wooden, spaced 'armor' added to the sides of the tank, protection from suicide attacks. Here's another pic, this one of a Marine Sherman on New Britain.



IIRC, There was a flame-throwing Sherman featured in a scene in "Sands of Iwo Jima". Al

Hi Al,
the spaced armor would be an easy add-on. Have to think about this

October 19th upgrade:
Raised bow gun tubs fitted. Started fitting the ventilator mushrooms, fire hoses and fire stations. Life rafts all fitted.
The deck is slowly getting more busy.