LCM-3 Conversion to Navy Dive Boat

I've ordered the Trumpeter, 1/35 3-boat and am going to build her out from that, based on the configurations of the dive boats I've worked on.

The Standard Navy Dive Boat was based on a 50' workboat hull, whereas most previous 'homebuilts' started with an 56' LCM-6 Mod 1 or 2. The Mod 3 (slab sided) had potentially lots of deck space for diving, but is a giant brick for maneuvering in a tight harbor.

While I was in, there were still a few converted LCM-3's around; I know USS Jason's dive boat was one, because I designed the air control console they used. 

In 1/72, it's likely down to how the kit hull is constructed. 

Juggling a cut plug (two seams) might be easier at the smaller scale.  Depending oun how a cut plug cam out of the donor, naturally.

The cut wants to be just forward of the aft end of the well, with appreciation of just wher a person will be comfortable with putty and sanding.

In larger scales, I'm pretty sure I'd do it as a single cut on two kits.  Strike a line on both kits about four scale feet from the aft well bulkhead on both.  This line ought be adjust ed to presecerve deck & other moulded details.  Cut the after portion three feet forward of the line; cut the donor three feet aft.  Then join the two.

The remaining halves could be made up as one of the many iterations of dive/work boat, or ramped lighter, seen about the maritime world.  Such craft have the helm position removed to be replaced with a cabin (or a shanty house) structure.

Toughest part is with modeling how crudely such craft are built, what with obvious weld seams, rickety wood cabins and the like.

I'm sticking with the 3-boat this first time around, but Pawel might be interested. Lengthening the 3-boat probably wouldn't be too hard, but I would not be surprised to find that there are some tricks to getting it right, and square. I will keep the offer in mind.

i've cut model ships in half to both shorten & lengthen them. doing that in my Arizona OBB kitbash thread for the Wyoming, New York & Nevada classes.

If you are splicing hulls, I'd be happy to offer tips. I love doing it and there's usually a few things to consider.

Bill

Pawel, to convert the 1/72 LCM-3 to a LCM-6 Mod 0, for a Program 4 Tango, Monitor, Etc., you only need to lengthen by 1 inch.

The project I'm looking at is a semi-modern (my period of service) U.S. Navy Dive Boat. We had them converted from both old LCM-3's and LCM-6's. Until the "Standard Navy Dive Boat" came out, (around 1988), Dive units just built their own in accordance with their needs. That's my plan.

I'd prefer to start with the LCM-6 Mod 1 or 2, but they just aren't available.

Looka here! Is it another brown water navy build? I'm dreamin' about doing that in 1/72 - but that's all for now - only dreaming. I've got Trumpeter's LCM-3 in 1/72 and the way I see it I would need another one, then saw them both in two and joining - that way I wouln't have to build the "lengthening plug" by myself, just to save time when building.

Can't relly help you in the scales you mentioned, but I sure would love to see you building that!

Good luck and have a nice day

Paweł