tonyo615
I'm almost finished building the LCM-3. I am attempting to weather it and would like to add some battle damage to it. Any hints?
The LCM-3 was steel construction (unlilke the wooden LCVP) so rust would be appropriate. However, these craft were well maintained by their crews on the carrying ships enroute to the attack. They would be painted and maintained inside and out.
A model representing the first assault waves would be fairly clean, perhaps with some pre-/post-shading of the panels. (your choice) A touch of russet colored pencil on fittings.
After withdrawing from the beach, a bit of steel or primer coat showing on the well deck cleats & ramp might be appropriate. Less is more. Maybe some bullet holes in the ramp door.
During the invasion the landing craft would make multiple runs and with each successive trip they would get a bit more worn. Rubs and scuffs - but no running rust yet.
In the Pacific, the transports would often withdraw overnight leaving the landing craft to raft together. Put bumpers over the sides. More rubs and scrapes. More rust the longer in the water. You are probably talking a week or less.
Craft which were damaged such that they could not complete their mission were abandoned or picked up and sent to a repair & salvage boat team. A welded over patch here or there. A craft with a shotup/torn ramp would likely not be used if the damage might tear the tires of landed vehicles. You don't need another diabled vehicle on the beach.
Backwater logistics craft were left in the water full time, not hauled out and maintained. They could get rusty/ratty.
Pet Peeve:
The cargo capacity of a LCM-3 was 30 tons. A Sherman tank weighed in at 30 tons. Add to that a combat load of fuel, ammo and extras. A LCM did not have reserve buoyancy to bring a combat loaded tank through the surf to land on a beach under fire!
Airfix foisted this myth on modelers a long time ago. Dragon followed up on it.
Attack wave Shermans were landed by LCTs, a different beast. In follow-up waves they were also landed by LSTs and LSMs.