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Revell UDT Boat with Frogmen. A Britmodeller Bargain Boat Build ***FINISHED***


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My, someone's feeling bold! Fresh from the Matchbox GB, and straight in with TWO build threads in this one! Prior to 2019, I had never seen this kit before. My wife saw it in Home and Bargain for £1.99 and bought it knowing it would be up my street (or down my river in this case). Worth £1.99 just for that awesome retro box art!

 

52167022708_abb1b79d8e_z.jpg20220622_202321 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

A few more bits with this one, than with the USS Lionfish, including the all important frogmen!

 

52167499670_db13d25c6a_z.jpg20220622_202602 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Yep, definitely eligible for this Group Build!

 

52165990137_a82d0d10d6_z.jpg20220622_202620 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Decent looking, clear instructions;

 

52167499610_8f693dac0c_z.jpg20220622_202833 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Decals look OK too (all 3 of them!).

 

52165990052_e78d0b24c4_z.jpg20220622_202856 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Again, I am aware that this kit may not be entirely accurate, and has its issues, but its got to be worth a go! Will be finished on its stand, so my first thoughts are how I can incorporate the frogmen. After all, it would be wrong to consign them to the spares box!

 

 

Edited by danbuoy
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That one's a reissue of Monograms PB48 from 1959. Listed as Frogmen and LCP(R) boat.

It got renumbered as PB182 in '67. I'm not sure of the Revell boxes.

Sold as a one piece floating hull with frogmen figures who float just under the surface. I get the feeling this ones a bath time kit!

 

You could do a lot worse than copy the store display for the original kit...

 

 

KGr-Hq-EOKik-E4n-ol4h-CBOS-VDqjw-48-3.jp

 

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Actually, yes, I like that. I was just wondering how I could use the frogmen without having to do any kind of a sea base. I like the fact that on the display the main selling point seems to be the frogmen, with the boat added to the description almost as an afterthought!

 

It is fair to say it does have a slight hint of bath toy about it.

Edited by danbuoy
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That's going to be a cool build... A nice piece of history. The kit was tooled when the UDT's successors were active in the Vietnam war.

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9 minutes ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

Ive only seen the kit in photo’s and online builds. This will be the first time Ive seen one built up. 

Hopefully the first time I've seen one built up too!

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  • 3 weeks later...

Right, time to dredge this build up from page 3 of the builds in progress!

 

First job was tidying up the main hull, where unfortunately I spotted this bit of damage on the port rear quarter;

 

52215596779_4ea72f89fc_z.jpg20220713_205709 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Nothing a bit of filler can't sort, but still a bit annoying. Then got the 2 halves of the engine together;

 

52215596744_a5f3b70cb0_z.jpg20220713_210854 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Was tempted to paint this up as it is quite nicely detailed, but it will be completely covered so left it as is. Here it is fitted in the hull;

 

52215802535_e9b17e86c6_z.jpg20220713_212209 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Hull floor fitted;

 

52214316582_96a0df91f8_z.jpg20220713_212441 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Starboard and port bulkheads and armoured sides, plus the bow door fitted;

 

52215802485_ab244b06c1_z.jpg20220713_213438 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

52214316542_5dab4da43f_z.jpg20220713_214309 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

52215802445_8a45f694c6_z.jpg20220713_214657 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Also got the rear bulkhead fitted, but must have forgotten to photograph this. Fit has generally been good, but there are a lot of ejector pin marks in quite visible locations. Some of these have been possible to remove, but others I've left so as not to risk losing kit detail.

 

Bilge pumps and exhaust fitted;

 

52215802415_4202283ce6_z.jpg20220713_215615 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

52215322536_6eca552e63_z.jpg20220713_220108 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Port and starboard fairings in place;

 

52215596629_da107cdcba_z.jpg20220713_221312 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

52215596609_266601e634_z.jpg20220713_221324 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

And finally for last night, got the deck fitted;

 

52215322506_11665d8d1d_z.jpg20220713_223511 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

A few other fixtures and fittings and that will be the boat ready for painting.

 

Edited by danbuoy
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1 hour ago, Bertie Psmith said:

 

Really? 

 

It looks fabulous. I think the frogmen are escaped extras from Thunderball.

I'm sure I read something about the dinghy retrieval method possibly not being accurate, although I have to say, I don't really care to be honest because I really like how it looks and it's a really fun kit. I'm really looking forward to getting round to the figures, especially the frog men!

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I remember my cousin building this back in 1990 or something like that. This brings back some memories! I think it may have found it's way into my bag before I left their place :whistle:

 

If I were to ever see this for 20 times that price I would probably build it. And for sure I love that idea of the store display for displaying the finished model. 

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4 hours ago, arfa1983 said:

 

If I were to ever see this for 20 times that price I would probably build it. And for sure I love that idea of the store display for displaying the finished model. 

There are several on Ebay at the moment, buy it now for around £16-17, plus an auction with a 99p start bid that finishes in a couple of days, although it has had a bid.

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Tiny bit more done last night. Sanded down the filler on the damaged rear. Needs a slight touch up, but looking much better. Also spent some time sanding down the numerous ejector pin marks that are all over the deck.

 

Got the machine gun mounts fitted, and all the cleats;

 

52233205104_fd029d340d_z.jpg20220721_213506 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

52233205079_71f599cc45_z.jpg20220721_213543 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

52232940103_a1a55dbe6e_z.jpg20220721_213555 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Then spent a considerable amount of time trying to get my head round the rigging, and I still don't really understand it!

 

52233205034_6491dd84a6_z.jpg20220721_220338 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

The rigging in the instructions is a lot more complicated than on the completed model in the display photo posted earlier, so I may go with the latter option. I almost glued the two halves of the dinghy together last night, then noticed that it referred to "optional rigging". Turns out this needs to be threaded through first, then the two halves attached, otherwise you will never get anything threaded through the tiny holes. Main one I'm puzzled over in the instructions is the one marked "B", as it shows two attachment points on the rear of the dinghy, whereas in the actual diagram underneath, it looks to only be attached in one place, which ties in with the kit, as there is only one hole in the plastic. Bit more research required I think!

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  • 2 months later...

Blimey, has it really been 2 months since I last updated this thread? Time does indeed fly! Pleased to report that the boat is now painted!

 

52392556410_991fdb0732_z.jpg20220928_202231 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

52392437599_1636cab70c_z.jpg20220928_202319 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Airbrushed in Tamiya Dark Grey and Hull Red, which both went on nicely using my Badger siphon airbrush with propellant can.

 

Started to get some fixtures in place, such as the wheel, throttle lever and the machine guns. In several reviews I have read of this kit, the builder has replaced the machine guns with better ones from other kits, but I have decided to keep the original ones, although I did drill out the barrels.

 

52391204017_47e58f7f3b_z.jpg20220928_222605 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Other bits painted, and just need finishing off, or drying before they can be attached.

 

52392437594_61e7ab4eec_z.jpg20220928_222714 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

52392556385_e37ea3a838_z.jpg20220928_222754 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Next stage will be figure painting!

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Bit more done last night.

 

Fire extinguisher finished and fitted;

 

52408402120_3c320c5afc_z.jpg20221005_222748 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

I wasn't happy with the colour of the machine guns. Luckily, as they are not glued in place, I was able to remove them and give them a quick coat of Tamiya Nato Black, and then re-install them. I think they look much better;

 

52408246779_d6519af027_z.jpg20221005_222843 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Engine cover and bell fitted. As per the instructions, this is not glued in place (presumably so you can still have the option of viewing the engine). As I never painted the engine, I may well glue this down.

 

52408468253_743b0ca019_z.jpg20221005_222851 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Made some progress with the lifebelts. Bit of a touch up required, then I can get these installed;

 

52408468238_86e07e9db3_z.jpg20221005_222859 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Same with the navigation lights;

 

52408246754_d522f20364_z.jpg20221005_222929 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Crew figures are coming along well. Few small touch ups, boots need painting and a bit of weathering, and I think they'll look OK. Certainly a lot easier to paint than the 1/72 pilots I'm more used to!

 

52407457807_f98e33a1b4_z.jpg20221005_222952 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Had a go with one of the frogmen too. Early stages (figure still needs tidying up for starters), but just wanted to see how Tamiya Rubber Black would look for the wetsuit. Quite happy with the result;

 

52407457802_d3e6b82c39_z.jpg20221005_223015 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Got 5 of these guys to paint. They won't be very eye catching, but will try and make them look as interesting as possible, using different shades of black etc!

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13 hours ago, Allan31 said:

Interesting. I always wanted to do the old Aurora frog man swimming as yours is.

 

Screen_Shot_2022-10-11_at_2.21.50_PM.png

Think the hardest part will be making my frogmen look interesting, as they are basically just black all over, but I'll see what I can do. Painted the wetsuits on all five on Monday, so will start to paint some other details on them tonight. Several are holding things (knife, package, coil of rope) which will help in terms of using some different colours.

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Here we have 5 little froggy men, all with wetsuits painted in Tamiya Rubber Black;

 

52424794588_769bd60f56_z.jpg20221012_204258 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

And here they are after faces, hands, flippers and masks have been painted. It doesn't really show, but the flippers, masks and gloves on the two that have them, are painted Tamiya Nato Black;

 

52424794568_2e08ca929c_z.jpg20221012_222816 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Will start on the scuba tanks next time.

 

Navigation lights are now fitted to the boat, along with the 2 lifebelts;

 

52424273361_6d28478491_z.jpg20221012_223128 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

52423771147_343594d94b_z.jpg20221012_223156 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

52424794538_1e85945a4c_z.jpg20221012_223649 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

So, this is how it is currently looking.

 

52424560909_725265a33c_z.jpg20221012_223744 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

52424794518_aed1b6c9d0_z.jpg20221012_223804 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

If I could just work out what I was doing with the rigging, then I'd say its not far off completion.

Edited by danbuoy
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  • 3 weeks later...

As I was applying the decals to my sub, I thought I may as well add them to this too. Was a bit concerned when they immediately curled up upon contact with water, but they went on fine;

 

52473405287_9879cba633_z.jpg20221102_212625 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

52474450413_999185cbc8_z.jpg20221102_212645 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

52473405247_eb0e6bcab2_z.jpg20221102_212703 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

Also did a few touch ups on the figures and painted part of the scuba tanks. Need to sort the stand too, so I can attach the bits underneath the boat.

 

 

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56 minutes ago, JeroenS said:

Looks good!

 

Couldn't help but notice the VW T2 pickup in the background, which kit is that? 

Its a Matchbox diecast! I'm in the middle of a project to repaint/convert a load of appropriate Matchbox and similar diecast into USAF vehicles (hence the collection of dark blue and green vehicles visible in the background of some of my photos). This is how the VW started out;

 

52473514172_948ee6be78_z.jpg20210228_122525 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

52474560723_be13806a8f_z.jpg20210228_122532 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

And this is how it looks now. Just needs a couple of decals on the doors;

 

52474478480_662be8eafa_z.jpg20220126_222235 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

 

52474560703_c95210ecb6_z.jpg20220126_222303 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr

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Nice find, a VW crewcab would definitely be on my wishlist!

 

*checks scalemates*

 

Well I'll be dipped, Takom has a 1/35 T3 crewcab... it's on my list now 🙂 

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