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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Bushbaby on April 22, 2016, 10:11:55 AM

Title: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Bushbaby on April 22, 2016, 10:11:55 AM: I think the title explains what I am setting out to do.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Mobile%20Uploads/cc67c59912f92ee31267da7e89100910_zpsysczzde3.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Mobile%20Uploads/cc67c59912f92ee31267da7e89100910_zpsysczzde3.jpg.html)

Building this...

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0411_zpsew4tyng4.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0411_zpsew4tyng4.jpg.html)

with this...
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: von Lucky on April 22, 2016, 10:54:52 AM: A sentence I never thought I'd read in my life. Bring it on!
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Wilkins on April 22, 2016, 10:56:14 AM: Looks good so far...

(I just wanted to comment so that it's easier to keep track of this thread. Looking forward to seeing more!)
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Hupp n at em on April 22, 2016, 01:45:43 PM: I look forward to this insanity. ;)
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Bushbaby on April 22, 2016, 03:02:15 PM: A little about the river monitors:

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/stonermonitor_zpskypnki8o.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/stonermonitor_zpskypnki8o.jpg.html)

During the Vietnam War, the US Navy's Brown Water Navy, operated its Monitors as part of their River Assault Flotilla One, which "initially" consisted of four River Assault Divisions (RAD); with RAD 91 containing 3 Monitors, RAD 92 having 2 Monitors, RAD 111 having 3 Monitors, and RAD 112 operating 2 Monitors.
The Vietnam Monitors were divided into two programs; program 4 would consist of the 40mm gun Monitors, while the later program 5 would entail the eight Monitor (H) Howitzer versions, and the six Monitor (F) Flamethrower models. All of the Monitors were converted from World War II 56' long all steel Landing Craft Mechanized (LCMs) Mk 6's.[9] When completed, they were 60' long, 17' wide, with a draft of 31⁄2', had two screws driven by two Gray Marine model 64NH9 diesel engines, could do 8.5 knots and were manned by usually 11 or more crewmen. They usually carried about ten tons of armor.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_monitor

Beam:   17.5 feet
Draft:   3.5 feet
Propulsion:   2 Gray Marine 64HN9 225 hp, 2 shafts
Speed:   8 kts Range:   Crew:   11
Weapons:   Mk I Mod 0 MON: 1 40mm L/60 Bofors, 1 .50 AN/M-2HB mg (co-axial), 3 20mm Mk 16 or 2 20mm Mk 16 and 1 40mm Mk 19 grenade launcher, 2 Mk 21 7.62mm mg, 1 81mm Mk 2 Mod 0 mortar.

Source: http://www.warboats.org/monitor.htm

I have decided to go for the Mk1 with the 40mm autocannon. It was ca 17 meters long, so in scale 1:50 it will be about 34 cm long, suited for 28mm gaming.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0804_zpsknyy1uvv.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0804_zpsknyy1uvv.jpg.html)

The tools of the trade. As you can see, I decided to use an empty roll of toilet paper in the project. Hope this is not considered cheating... :)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0798_zpssyo8f7fo.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0798_zpssyo8f7fo.jpg.html)

Carving up the box of contact lenses and assembling the hull. This is the bottom part of the hull.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0799_zpspnfwje7h.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0799_zpspnfwje7h.jpg.html)

The top of the hull with the mortar pit.
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: DonVoss on April 22, 2016, 08:26:56 PM: really like the thread title and the monitor so far.... :)

Very cool.

Cheers,
Don
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Burnin Coal on April 22, 2016, 09:07:15 PM: :) ok...am liking this a lot...looking forward to following your progress...already admiring your intention
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: fastolfrus on April 22, 2016, 09:36:37 PM: Making it from the box. That would make sense. I wondered how you were going to make it from the lenses.....
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Bushbaby on April 22, 2016, 11:13:03 PM: Quote from: fastolfrus on April 22, 2016, 09:36:37 PM
Making it from the box. That would make sense. I wondered how you were going to make it from the lenses.....

A true challenge! :)

Anyway, let's take a closer look at the blueprints before running into something without a plan. I need a superstructure, a bridge, bar/cage armor, three smaller turrets and a big one in the bow for the 40mm. The thing in the stern seems to be a winch of sorts.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/fmc6a_zpsnpxvlocd.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/fmc6a_zpsnpxvlocd.jpg.html)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/fmc7a_zpsgpebs6q5.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/fmc7a_zpsgpebs6q5.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Bushbaby on April 23, 2016, 09:15:35 AM: (http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/3e2499c2-39c0-419f-937b-c022ab797e85_zpsmevetmli.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/3e2499c2-39c0-419f-937b-c022ab797e85_zpsmevetmli.jpg.html)

Octagonal superstructure

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0802_zpspp2yxivs.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0802_zpspp2yxivs.jpg.html)

Roof
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Legion1963 on April 23, 2016, 10:35:14 AM: Indeed. A challenge. And you, Bushbaby Sir! deserve the CMMSB. The congressional Medal of Miniature Scratch Builders. Sorry, i got carried away a little. But it is good to see that 28mm gamin' in Da Nam is still going strong. I have some projects of my own that are in the development and execution stage that i will show soon. ;-)
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: carlos marighela on April 23, 2016, 11:23:23 AM: Quote from: fastolfrus on April 22, 2016, 09:36:37 PM
Making it from the box. That would make sense. I wondered how you were going to make it from the lenses.....

Yeah, frankly I'm disappointed. I demand you make another one using the lenses alone. :D

Nice work.
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Bushbaby on April 23, 2016, 03:19:29 PM: (http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0803_zpsrydfv9yt.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0803_zpsrydfv9yt.jpg.html)

The smaller turrets, made by genuine, state of the art toilet roll.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0805_zps8zzzfd9t.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0805_zps8zzzfd9t.jpg.html)

Added the super-super structure underneath the last turret.
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Bushbaby on April 23, 2016, 09:04:41 PM: (http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0806_zps9ewsnoor.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0806_zps9ewsnoor.jpg.html)

Added the bridge and the turret covers.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0808_zpsczu1qzfg.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0808_zpsczu1qzfg.jpg.html)

As you can see, the G.I.s are not painted. Why? Because I chose to start my Vietnam adventure with a river monitor, before having painted a single VC/US figure!

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0826_zpsyit609nu.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0826_zpsyit609nu.jpg.html)

Started experimenting with the 40mm turret. Soon chose to drop the Pelican Rouge cup in favour of a standard, white plastic one I found in a dispenser at work. The smaller turrets are attached to the superstructure with nails, which allows them to turn.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0828_zpsvbuwxaxt.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0828_zpsvbuwxaxt.jpg.html)

Added added another layer of deck.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Mobile%20Uploads/armored-troop-carrier-atc_62_zpskbycg3ct.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Mobile%20Uploads/armored-troop-carrier-atc_62_zpskbycg3ct.jpg.html)

To protect the monitors from RPG rockets, they were fitted with slate or cage armor to disable the rockets before impact. For me, this is somewhat of a problem. How to make bar armor from a box of contact lenses? Well, the answer lied inside the cardboard...
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Golgotha on April 23, 2016, 09:09:49 PM: Looking forward to seeing that completed - great start.
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Bushbaby on April 24, 2016, 06:57:24 PM: (http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0847_zpspiz8offs.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0847_zpspiz8offs.jpg.html)

So this is what you find inside the cardboard...

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0848_zpsytxeqvvd.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0848_zpsytxeqvvd.jpg.html)

Making cage armor with cardboard.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0890_zps0we1nilj.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0890_zps0we1nilj.jpg.html)

The cotton swabs make their appearance as the metal cage. The ventilation pipes I found on an old Revell helicopter sprue (never seemed to have found out where on the helicopter they were supposed to be).
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Golgotha on April 24, 2016, 06:59:33 PM: Well I must say that works surprisingly well.
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Elk101 on April 24, 2016, 07:01:09 PM: This is really coming together. Nice work.
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: dampfpanzerwagon on April 24, 2016, 07:07:44 PM: That cardboard hull defences looks great.

Tony
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Marine0846 on April 24, 2016, 11:55:08 PM: Nice work.
It is coming together well.
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Bushbaby on April 25, 2016, 09:00:54 AM: (http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0891_zps1stbdbbk.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0891_zps1stbdbbk.jpg.html)

Using the sprue, I built the winch and radar. The "disk" is made of something I cut from a shampoo bottle. Built the small structure in the aft and made slits in the turrets where I used cut of nails as 20mm guns.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/6f40babf-0c93-4d8b-aa90-b8d847f87033_zps0u15rzly.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/6f40babf-0c93-4d8b-aa90-b8d847f87033_zps0u15rzly.jpg.html)

Added a tarp over the bridge and some more deck details. You can see the captain in the bridge.
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: marianas_gamer on April 25, 2016, 08:57:56 PM: Coming together nicely.
LB
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Bushbaby on April 26, 2016, 06:22:48 PM: (http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0108_zpsabhbi3mu.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0108_zpsabhbi3mu.jpg.html)

The 40mm turret. Made of a plastic cup and a nail. I am planning on using slate-like armor on the turret like in the blueprint.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0109_zpsdx7ayaqp.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0109_zpsdx7ayaqp.jpg.html)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0111_zpshfx2j7wo.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0111_zpshfx2j7wo.jpg.html)

Some base paint.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Shipbuilding/DSC_0130_zpstw7cpwjx.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Shipbuilding/DSC_0130_zpstw7cpwjx.jpg.html)

I mixed my own green olive drab from some cheap acrylics and added some layers. I can see I missed the vertical bars on the front turret armor. Time to cut up some more cotton swabs!
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: von Lucky on April 26, 2016, 10:30:01 PM: Impressive transformation.
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Bushbaby on April 27, 2016, 03:40:12 PM: Adding some details.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0414_zpsid4bcjmq.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0414_zpsid4bcjmq.jpg.html)

Fenders and lifebuoys.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u415/Johannes_Hatem/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0415_zps3whrbhao.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Johannes_Hatem/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0415_zps3whrbhao.jpg.html)

Turret armor.
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: tin shed gamer on April 27, 2016, 05:38:17 PM: An interesting build,just wish I'd noticed it sooner.
Mark.
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Marine0846 on April 27, 2016, 06:06:39 PM: Looks great.
Prefect for gaming.
Hoping to see it floating down the river soon.
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: Bushbaby on July 21, 2016, 01:30:18 PM: I am working on a vietnamese village at the moment. Plus some american sailors to man the posts. As soon as it is done, the monitor will set sail in it´s natural environment!
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: CarlLeyland on July 22, 2016, 10:08:39 AM: Amazing work, really nice to see this.
Title: Re: Building a Vietnam era Riverine Monitor from a box of contact lenses challenge
Post by: vodkafan on July 23, 2016, 02:42:32 PM: Excellent example of junk modelling to create something useful. Really inspiring!