USMC GB : Now until Sept 2015

ygmodeler4

Glad to have y'all aboard Rob and Jsmyth! I'll get you added to the roster. Rob Dragon's offering is 1/72 correct?

Yes, it is the Dragon 1/72 scale kit; however, I have four different ones and have not decided which of the four it will be. I am open to suggestions, the four I have are:

1. 7221 AAV-7A1 USMC Mogadishu 1993*
2. 7233 AAVP7A1 RAM/RS w/EAAK
3. 7237 AAVP7A1 RAM/RS**
4. 7319 AAVR7A1 Recovery

*Kit 7221 is Dragon's original with a diecast hull and original style suspension. The diecast hull is a bear to deal with and will have a big, nasty seam that won't fill well. It includes black vinyl tracks.

**Kits 7233 and 7237 are virtually identical with kit 7237 having the add on EAAK armor that makes it look like a corrugated tin shack was wrapped around the vehicle. I think I prefer to do the one without.

I was saving the recovery version for a diorama I never got around to doing with one of the other kits. The last three do have DS tracks and are all plastic.

I agree, I do not like the look of the EAAK, I do however like the AAV with mounting bosses better than a smooth side, so my vote is kit number 3....however if you want to show use how to work some magic in 1/72 I'd be all for number 1.

Rob Gronovius

I have a Dragon AAV7A1 Amtrac that I'd like to build for this GB.

i have one of those (1/72) in the stash. picked it up at a vendor's sale. working on TRUMPETER 1/72 LAV. have lower hill and turret built. thinking of doing a MERDC 4 color desert scheme since i have all the paints from doing a 1/35 M-1117.

Well I started my Pelieliu diorama I made the main building in the airstrip

That's all for now

Mac

Josiah I'll start on my LVTP5A1 today, a lot of builds going on and I'm looking forward to doing one for the Marines. Terry

LAV ready for priming as soon as it gets above freezing.

Looking great as usual, Wayne!

Got a bit of progress tonite...she's starting to look...plane-ish 

Mac, Wayne, and Rob, your builds are progressing nicely.

Sounds good to me Terry, I have not been able to start on the M60 yet, too much going on this week with papers and work.

About the badges....I like the idea of having a badge that encompasses all the builds and is fairly simple, in addition since this build is going to be decently long (end in ~ 15 September 2015) and some might build multiple builds, there is a different badge for 1 model, 2 models, or 3+ models. 

Theres the 1 model badge

That was the 2 model badge

And the 3+ model badge.

Let me know what y'all think. Of course I'll scale it down to be smaller when I add them to the front page if these are fine by you guys

Lol! I love it! Bolo badges!

Yup, I think those badges would be great.

Wayne that little guy looks great, you're going to have your own 1/72 shelf army…

Rob I see a plane with beautiful lines like that and wonder why I don't build any, she's looks really cool.

Josiah thats a great badge and idea. Count me for a yes.

Josiah, the badges are a great idea. I especially like how you can work your way up to expert (7th Award rifle expert myself.....). Very nice! Maybe you can find the nth Award bars to add to the Expert Badge for modelers that build more than three (i.e., a 4th award bar for a 4th kit built, etc.).  

Gary Mason

Thanks guys, I'll get them resized and added to the front....Gary, I'll have to look into that, I guess if you're a super fast builder it can be done, though I struggle to complete 4 in a year :/

waynec

Rob Gronovius

I have a Dragon AAV7A1 Amtrac that I'd like to build for this GB.

i have one of those (1/72) in the stash. picked it up at a vendor's sale. working on TRUMPETER 1/72 LAV. have lower hill and turret built. thinking of doing a MERDC 4 color desert scheme since i have all the paints from doing a 1/35 M-1117.

I'm fairly sure that the version modeled by Dragon is a later version that came into service after MERDC was discontinued in favor of NATO 3-color or overall desert tan.

ygmodeler4

Gary, I'll have to look into that, I guess if you're a super fast builder it can be done, though I struggle to complete 4 in a year :/

Know whatcha mean...... I struggle to complete a model a year, let alone 4!

Thanks for this Group Build, by the way. Means a lot to us old Marines that model. 

Gary Mason

SGT USMC  1984 - 1995

Like the patch, can't wait to get it on my sig line.

[/URL[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/kingtiger11/media/LVTP5A1/DSC00946_zps2900756d.jpg.html]

AFV's LVTP5A1 the "Bus" is a large vehicle with a lot of wheels, idlers and sprockets. Theres a lot of variations of this vehicle but I've decided to go with the US Marines Vietnam War paint scheme. 

Rob Gronovius

 sure that the version modeled by Dragon is a later version that came into service after MERDC was discontinued in favor of NATO 3-color or overall desert tan.

hi ROB yes you're right. just as well. i have only done one in 1/35 and i probably need more practice on a big kit before painting a little kit.

Well here's what I have so far

Thanks for looking 

Mac

I’ve been watching the builds and am jealous.  All my free time and efforts are currently being poured into school.  I’ll be jumping back in come December and begin working on my Quonset hut.

Rob Gronovius

Yes, it is the Dragon 1/72 scale kit; however, I have four different ones and have not decided which of the four it will be. I am open to suggestions, the four I have are:

7221 AAV-7A1 USMC Mogadishu 1993*

7233 AAVP7A1 RAM/RS w/EAAK

7237 AAVP7A1 RAM/RS**

7319 AAVR7A1 Recovery

*Kit 7221 is Dragon's original with a diecast hull and original style suspension. The diecast hull is a bear to deal with and will have a big, nasty seam that won't fill well. It includes black vinyl tracks.

**Kits 7233 and 7237 are virtually identical with kit 7237 having the add on EAAK armor that makes it look like a corrugated tin shack was wrapped around the vehicle. I think I prefer to do the one without.

I was saving the recovery version for a diorama I never got around to doing with one of the other kits. The last three do have DS tracks and are all plastic.

My vote is for the EAAK, I remember when we removed the kits from the vehicles in the late 90s the AAVs sort of looked naked after seeing them with EAAK for years.  We removed and stored the EAAK because the EAAK was deteriorating in the constant exposure to salt water/air.  It was also taking a toll on the AAVs running gear and drive train.  The only vehicles that kept EAAK mounted were those that were deploying with the MEUs.
Word of caution with the AAVR7 kit, the R7 was never modified for EAAK so Dragon screwed the pooch by keeping the EAAK mounts on the hull.  However, if you add antennas in the proper spots and leave the recovery gear off you can create an AAVC7.
I’m working on several of these too (converting one to the artist concept of the P7 and another to an LVTEX with M551 turret armed with 105mm gun) and am looking forward to your build.

Very cool dio so far Mac...very interested in watching this one come together!!

I have been working in this all day and came up with this. Still have a lot of battle damage to do especially on the creaters

All comments are welcomed

Mac

Got some work done today on the F-4. Not much to photograph. Got the engines mounted and rear stabs. Also masked off cockpit area as I"m installing the canopies last this time as they will be open. Hopefully get the primer coat down tomorrow nite, but, may have to work late. We'll see.

Sorry for being inactive for the weekend, had a busy one.

Mac that dio is moving along splendidly!

Here is the final diorama

Thanks  

Mac

Wow MAC, that dio looks fantastic!! Very well done, Sir....

Very nice indeed Mac! I'll try to get those badges resized later today.

In other news, though I haven't been getting much time in at the bench, I did have some success with my other "hobby" this morning.

Nice buck Josiah. I miss hunting. Haven't been able to hunt in years.

ARMING QUESTION:

Here's my dilemma: keeping with fine Hasegawa tradition, my Hase Phantom  has NO weapons. So, I picked up the Hasegawa Bombs and Rockets set. NICE set, but, here's the thing, the original kit provided only TWO pylons. I guess my question is this: are MER and TER units mounted on a pylon or directly to the fuselage. I'm sure it's on a pylon, so, my next question would be: Where the heck to I get a set of pylons for a 1/72 F-4?? The kit goes through great lengths to show the various weapons configurations, but, the weapons set provides little means to mount them. THANKS!!

The TER's were normally mounted on the inboard pylons while the MER was usually on the centerline pylon. In some cases depending upon mission payloads, they replaced the outboard fuel tanks. A Phantom with a full bomb load on all pylons was a pretty sight.

There should be some AM sets for the Phantom pylons at Squadron or SprueBrothers.  Having a senior moment and can't recall the MFG name right now.