Hi all,
I recently started scratchbuilding some M4T6 pontoons (“floating bridge-system”) and the reason was this picture:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/photos/showphoto.php?photo=60140&password=&sort=8&cat=500&page=1

I wanted to build this raft with the M4T6 pontoons and the quad 50’s but I can’t figure out what type of boat is pushing this raft in the picture (if you look closely you can see part of the bow between the pontoons, at least that’s what I think). I don’t think it is one of the boats normally used to push this floating bridge so does any of you have a suggestion?

Thanks in advance
Mark

Hello Mark!

First of all these are great pictures... can you state where did you find them?

Second: I think that, from analysing the picture, these craft it's self propelled. Unless it is being pulled by an helicopter, since no tow cable is seen on the right end of the picture.... which is where it should appear, considering the motion of the craft!
The cable that you refer could be an antena or something similar...
This could be propelled by outboard motors, but if any of the guys here at Big A can give some enlightment on this issue, I am (now) also very curious abou this!!!!

Skipper

Hi Rui
The picture is from 'Groundwar Vietnam' volume 2 by Jim Mesko. The text with this pictures says a 'powerboat' provided propulsion. I was wondering what boat it was. I guess they wouldn't use a pbr for these purposes. So any suggestion is welcome

Mark

I bet a PBR would be used in a pinch. That would be an interresting dio. You could also use a LSSC, or the old Italeri Zodiac boat. Usually engineers would use a purpose build bout for this type of operation, but anything that floats would be used if there wasn't anything else available.

I'd go with Skipper in that it is most likely self propelled with probably 2 outboard lashed on and wide base put across the pontoons making it sort of a catamaran.

If at all its being pushed rather than towed then I'd go with a LSSC or its bigger brother the MSSC. Sorry Mark I don't think my answer is much of an answer.

I'm not an engineer, but those bridge companies have small boats with outboards which are used to push the pontoon sections into place, to hold them against current, etc.

Check the "waterskiing" picture at
http://www.3rdbridge.org/page11.html

It is my understanding that when moving several of these things, the boats were outboard of the pontoons on each side, but one ought to find a real engineer to get the right answer.

John

Hi John~
Bingo!!!
Ron