Help to a non ship modeller

[JohnT]

With the 75th anniversary of D-day tomorrow and my Dad floating around the English Channel about now back then with 41 Royal Marine Commando in a LCI (S) I was wondering if one could model one from a stock kit. The only thing I can see that might work as a place to start is an old Lindbergh kit of a US one in 1/160 scale that I would have to import. I know zero about what I’d be doing so begging for pointers in the right direction. Would this kit be a reasonable basis to start and what might be required to do a UK 🇬🇧 Royal Navy one

 

I cant think of anything else other than perhaps doing a figure which I’d be hopeless at

 

 

[Francis Macnaughton]

John

 

As far as I know there is no kit as such that is going to be much help in building a LCI(S) as this was a relatively rare type.  There is a decent plan by John Lambert and a very  simplified version to build in balsa wood for radio control but no dedicated kit as such.

 

There is a specialist source of hulls that might do one:

 

http://www.mtbhulls.co.uk/the-hulls

[JohnT]

Francis

many thanks for that information. It helps me a lot. I suspect I will need to acquire some scratch building skills !!

John

[Courageous]

2 hours ago, JohnT said:

I suspect I will need to acquire some scratch building skills

...and reference material. I currently have a tug in Work in Progress that is all scratch build, lots of fun and quite interesting but time consuming.

Do it, you know you want to. 

 

Stuart

[Francis Macnaughton]

John

 

Just noticed where you are located.  I understand that there is a 1/24th scale radio controlled model of an LCI(S) operated by  a member of  the Edinburgh Model Boat club that might be useful to see and get a better idea of the detail - I think they do displays at quite a few model shows.

 

What sort of scale would you build in?  If 1/72nd then Coastal craft models have quite a few useful fittings.

 

http://www.coastalcraftmodelsuk.com/accessories.php

[Hardcastle]

Try Dan Taylor modelworks or Milicast

They do Landing craft in 72nd scale - they may even have such a kit. They do crew and I know they do an LCI, unless you specifically wan the small scale

 

Tim

[Francis Macnaughton]

On ‎6‎/‎7‎/‎2019 at 2:05 PM, Hardcastle said:

Try Dan Taylor modelworks or Milicast.    They do crew and I know they do an LCI, unless you specifically wan the small scale

 

The Dan Taylor LCI (L) is an excellent model but is of the considerably larger steel US made type rather than the mainly wooden and smaller LCI(S) built in UK - also known as the Fairmile type H

 

BBC2 had the two episodes of "D-Day The last heroes"with Dan Snow presenting (hopefully available on catch-up) showing earlier today and about 5 minutes before the end of the first and halfway through the second episode there are useful video clips of the LCI(S) squadron taking the Marines to Normandy.  Dan is even discussing what is happening with two pensioners who were onboard the boats.

Edited June 8, 2019 by Francis Macnaughton

[JohnT]

Guys thanks for all the advice and encouragement. My thinking cap is on tight and I will see what might be possible. It’s not going to be a quick fix of a purchase and OOB build so a bit of planning to do. 

[Chewbacca]

On ‎06‎/‎06‎/‎2019 at 09:40, JohnT said:

Francis

many thanks for that information. It helps me a lot. I suspect I will need to acquire some scratch building skills !!

John

It sounds daunting but once you get going it's really not that difficult.  Just take your time and as Stuart says, make sure you have the reference material.  If you can get some plans it does make it somewhat easier but it is possible to create your own just from photos and some basic dimensions.

[Hardcastle]

Francis

 

I have a book on landing craft lying around somewhere - I think it includes basic plans. PM me and maybe I can email you the relevant pages.

 

Tim