1990-1991 Gulf War 25th Anniversary Group Build

I had in mind an LPH but I can't afford the only one out there (resin).

From Wiki:

Stationed in the Arabian Sea, 1990-1995

 

In 1990, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein became the focal point of international interest when, on 2 August his troops invaded Kuwait. Over 100 U.S. Naval ships were sent in response, and on 1 December 1990, Tripoli was sent into action once again. Tripoli proceeded into the northern Persian Gulf and assumed duties as flagship for Airborne Mine Countermeasures operations there with HM-14 and Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 (HMLA-773) deployed aboard. On the morning of 18 February 1991, at 0436 ( 4:35 a.m.) Tripoli was rocked by a mine explosion on her starboard bow. The explosion ripped a 16 by 20 ft hole in the ship's hull. After 20 hours of damage control, the ship was stabilized and was actually ready to resume operations. However her HM-14 fuel tanks were damaged by the mine hit and she was unable to deploy her HM-14's due to a lack of fuel. Tripoli remained on station for seven days before finally setting course for Jubail to allow HM-14 to crossdeck to the USS New Orleans (LPH-11) and then to Bahrain's Arabian Ship Repair Yard. After 30 days of quick repairs, Tripoli returned to the Persian Gulf where she spearheaded the U.N. mine sweeping operation to clear the naval mine fields laid down by Iraq.

Yes, I am familiar with the story of the Tripoli my friend. My comment was in jest. There is a great book by Rick Atkinson on the Gulf War, "Crusade". In that book, a comment was made regarding the USN's drop in countermine warfare capability after Tripoli and another USN ship (I cant recall which off the top of my head) struck mines during that period of operations off Kuwait. A naval officer remarked, "Any ship can be a minesweeper... once."

There is a 1/720 LHA kit out there. It was originally a Revell kit and I do believe that Revell Germany re issued it recently. Not a bad kit for its' age.

Ahh, get the joke now.

Aegis Cruiser USS Princeton CG-59.

Right about Revell but as you note its an LPA. Dragon made a better one.

Oh well, eat whats on the plate first.

Oops... wrong class... The only LPH kit I recall was a 1/600 one by Aurora. USS Okinawa or Iwo Jima I think it was. I must have bought and built that one over 40 years ago. I built the Revell USS Tarawa LHA around the same time. Long gone...

during the tanker war after Samuel B Roberts hity a mine they strating escorting tanker convoys with the tankers in the lead. they would hit a mine and not even know it. instead of fancy LHS crappy ships the USN should buy a bunch of used 300K ton tankers, armor and arm them up and turn them into asm/slm cruise missile platforms.

NO HIGHER HONOR: SAVING THE USS SAMUEL B ROBERTS IN THE PERSIAN GULF

second set of tires went together fine. no paint instructions for interior but am going with pale blue per DML kit. black chassis amnd khaki/sand exterior with white missile

Interesting times for the Navy in the 1980s in the Med and the Gulf. Shadow wars and hot wars with players like Iraq, Syria, Libya, Hezbollah, and the PLO...

Wayne the Scud TEL looks good so far. Much simpler than the 1/35 Dragon monstrosity. Of course that is one impressive kit once built, but VERY time consuming!

Great GB idea, Stick!!  Would love to jump in, but am behind the power curve on GBs I've already signed up for.  Will be watching you guys with great interests, looks like another all star lineup!!

TAD

I know what you mean Dave. I overcommitted again myself... seems to be a habit... just too many GBs that appeal to me and too many kits in my stash that will work. 

If you change your mind, you are more than welcome to join us.

The builds are looking great!!!! I so want to jump in!!! I was there, so this build means more than others have. I was deployed to the UAE at the THEN brand new airport being built that was used as a C-130 base. Saw some nose art on some hercs that rivaled the bombers and tankers lol.

Chassis is looking good, Wayne.

there are 4 subsections along the chassis of the SCUD. the first and third have interiors and opening doors so they are awaiting a paint decision. this is the second section located behind the cab. for some reason they left the back of the storage boxes open. it probably wouldn't be seen in travel mode but would be in launch mode. i added some styrene, glued the tops on, and filled the gaps with white glue and a Q-tip.

Nice progress there wayne. Not somthing we see often.

simpilot, I do hope that you join us here with a build of your own.

wayne, nice work on the Scud so far.

Nice work Wayne, getting out the Evergreen!

Is there a camo scheme in mind?

GMorrison

Nice work Wayne, getting out the Evergreen!

Is there a camo scheme in mind?

i must be evolving here. getting out the styrene wasn't even annoying, more a "oh, lets check this out and fix it." looked at my 1/35 DML to make sure they were closed. also have been filling in some shallow punch marks that probably wouldn't be seen but don't wantr to take the chance.

no camo. all the GW1 i've seen were sandy khaki. i do plan to lighten the color on top and slightly darken and lighten the paint for doors, hatches, etc.  i do plan on doing camo on SS-25.

now to fill in the seams on the missile, never fun. think i will try thinning my Bondo with acetone and try that, probably outside with a fan and respirator.

I hear you re the evolution, Wayne. I'm finding myself less aggrivated when things need help fitting or looking right and more apt to just start working on it. (most of the time, anyway )

Re the missles, curious, have you tried Perfect Plasitc Putty yet? I got a tube a few weeks ago, used it a couple times and like it. Your 'outside' and 'respirator' comment made me think about it.

What?! You don't rant on every website that a kit is unbuildable because you had to fix something simple and took the initiative to do so? Are you modelers or something?

Greg

Chassis is looking good, Wayne.

 

Thank you. my frau thinks so too. 

Greg

Re the missles, curious, have you tried Perfect Plasitc Putty yet? I got a tube a few weeks ago, used it a couple times and like it. Your 'outside' and 'respirator' comment made me think about it.

 

i'll check it out. usually i use bondo from the tube and never have acetone opened very long. just thinking both mixed in open air and me working nose print close, it might be a good idea. if i am going to do a lot of supergluing, more than 3 parts, i put the respirator on. 

Karl and i have briefly discussed the DML 1/35 SCUD on my post in the armor forum.

stikpusher

What?! You don't rant on every website that a kit is unbuildable because you had to fix something simple and took the initiative to do so? Are you modelers or something?

 

Well, not 100%, but definitely working on it! I can still fall into my pre-teen times (It doesn't fit, Whah!)

waynec

 

 

Greg

Chassis is looking good, Wayne.

 

 

 

 

Thank you. my frau thinks so too. 

 

Brag, brag, brag..... 

On the PPP, I forgot you are perfectly happy with Bondo (which I want to try one day). I'm definitely not trying to push you into something. I have very limited experience with the PPP so far.

did the thinned bondo on the SCUD. looks good but i haven't painted the seams to check. will do that today. givern this is OTS i will use Tamiya fine surface primer instead of my usual. cost A LOT more but can use the HobbyLobby 40% coupons.

here is the missile and both sides of the control room (Section 3). closeups show what will be seen with the hatches open. picked up some Vallejo blue/gray which is a very light gray with a hint of blue. may add a bit of blue to it just to ad some color. missile will be pale gray instead of white and i have seen piucs where they are the same color as the TEL.

Some nice detail in there.

I got the last of my AMtoday, the metal tracks, so i am all set to go. Should be able to start in Oct all being well.

Wayne, you are making some good progress indeed. Yes, gray or even sand makes sense for the missile itself. I am pretty sure that the Soviets produced them in their standard Olive Green for battlefield concealment purposes. White will stand out on any battlefield except a snowy one...

looking at these Scud debris from the war and they sure do not look white, but then again their flight could have altered that

in this bottom photo the dots appear to be perhaps some kind of camo scheme on the missile?

Here are a few other nationalities for comparison

Syrian

Afghan

Iranian

Libyan

Hey STIK thanks for the pics. haven't seen the wrecked syrian one before. not sure wjhat the dots are either but that one missile section is lighter than the other. i see Vallejo lightening and darkening mixes in the future

have the wiring pic and a couple of pics from a built kit, probably DML, and i may try some of that.

Well I do know that the Iraqis extended the range of their Scuds by adding in additional sections with new tankage and plumbing, so that section is likely part of that modification.

Finally managed to get some work done on the Piranha. The bottom part was quite a little project.