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A Tale of Two DUKW's

A tale of two dukw's
Alan has had these two Italeri 1/35th DUKW's sitting around for awhile, with no particular plans to use them. Whilst researching at the National Archives in London, England he came across information relating to amphibious vehicles. Needing to 'replenish his batteries', Alan decided to build these two DUKW's straight out of the box. The results of which can be seen here!

During the build, Alan had decided the back of each vehicle needed to fully loaded with stores or anything else he could lay his hands on........and to that end the stores in each vehicle come from a range of accessory kits, such as those offered by Italeri themselves, but also Tamiya and other manufacturers. Some items were scratchbuilt.............for example the Medical load was actually made from two cigarette paper packets covered with tissue paper. The rope is an item from Billings Boats, and the life preservers left over from another project. The stretchers are from Accurate Armour.

The markings on both vehicles are actually a mix of some that Alan had in his spares box and the kit-supplied ones. Alan wanted to have the vehicles marked up as Royal Army Service Corp vehicles in recognition of these oft-overlooked personnel. He split the name 'Portland Rose' for their names, calling one Portland and the other............Rose!

The figures are a mix of Tamiya and Resicast items that were just added to give a sense of scale and add a little interest to the pictures, but Alan hopes to include the vehicles eventually in a diorama, along with a couple of LVT's in a Rhine crossing setting. Since building these he has discovered he now has to add some fire extinguishers and some brackets to the rear of the driving compartments.

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About the Author

About Alan McNeilly (AlanL)
FROM: ENGLAND - EAST ANGLIA, UNITED KINGDOM

Greying slightly, but young at heart. I've been teaching adults off and on for most of my life. Left the services in 85 and first started modelling in about 87 for a few years. Then I had a long spell when I didn't build anything (too busy) and really just got started again during the summer of ...


Comments

Wow, one fully loaded DUKW is quite a job, never mind two. Great job, I like the Medical version, something different. Cheers Henk
MAY 27, 2006 - 11:50 PM
Morning Henk, Thanks for you comments, the DUKWs were a fun build, and as you pointed out they are a 'big' kit especially trying to fill the cargo area. Unfortunately, although my photography is getting a bit better the pictures don't show a lot of the weathering and the vehicles look quite 'clean'. It's not a flash thing as I took them outside in natural light ,but it's probably just me!! Vinnie did a great layout I thought, and I'm glad you enjoyed them. Cheers Al
MAY 28, 2006 - 12:25 PM
i love this babies! i got one too..i altered the windshield and got a spare from a WC truck..fits perfectly and got a finer lines. your's are beautifully done..impressive work on your DUKWs...the stuffs and tarps are nice. also the research you poured in for the project. should have asked you for those before building my DUKW. thanks for sharing hope to see more of your works.
MAY 28, 2006 - 07:10 PM
Hi Liberator, Glad you enjoyed the photos. The DUKWs were a more interesting build than I first thought they would be. As the vehicle was used in all theatres of war the possibilities of 'dropping' it inot a dio are endless. I saw a couple of picturtes of them in N Africa, not where you would expect to see an amphibian in the desert! There's a couple still running in Jersey in the Channel Islands, they use them to ferry tourists out to Elizabeth Castle. Enjoy your build and thanks for your kind comments. Cheers Al
MAY 29, 2006 - 01:36 AM
Alanl Hoots Mon!! Brilliant pair of Duckie's the photo's are really good a lot of work put in here. Are these little beautie's going to be in this Normandy landing dio along with the landing craft? If so Alan it's going to be a big dio, my fav! Can't wait to see this project finished in all it's glory!! Cheers Richardmci.
JUN 02, 2006 - 02:25 AM
Hi Richard, I'd like to have them coming in behind the LCs, but space could be a problem!!! LOL. The alternative is for a Rhine Crossing with some LVTs of 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry. Don't know about the photography, a lot of the softer weathering seems to be lost but that could just be me!!! LOL. Thanks for you kind comments I got them from AA in their January sale for £4.95 ea and they are a fun build. Cheers Al
JUN 02, 2006 - 02:36 AM