¹⁄700

A new 3D printed 'model' of the US Marine's earliest used landing craft of the Second World War. Essentially a larger version of the shallow draft Eureka boat designed to operate in swamps by Andrew Higgins before the war, they were made of plywood with armored bulkheads added to offer some protection for the troops on board.

From Tom's Modelworks:
"The US Navy version LCP(L) incorporated two gunner's positions near the bow in an open cockpit (the British versions were mostly covered cockpits) and could carry 36 troops in addition to the 3 man crew. In landing operations, the initial assault wave troops were loaded in the craft before they were lowered from the davits into the water with subsequent troops required to climb down scramble nets to board returning craft. Unlike later landing craft, the LCP(L)s did not have ramps at the bow, so troops had to jump over the bow or sides to get out. The LCPs were used extensively in the landing at Guadalcanal in August 1942 and the Operation Torch landing in North Africa in November 1942.

We believe that these are the first models of the historically important LCP(L) ever produced in 1/700 scale. The set offered here includes 4 waterline models which should be perfect for a landing zone diorama (a companion set of full hull LCP models is also available). Photography of these is a challenge for our equipment and limited skills but we hope that we've been able to show the well-proportioned models and details like the two gunner positions near the bow, the open cockpit troop compartments separated with an armored bulkhead and complete with benches and the engine housing. About the only thing not included are the 1/700 troops!"

This set (No. Lcpl-w/l-700) contains 4 craft and is listed for $18.99 plus shipping from the Tom's Modelworks website.