My lockdown project was a resurrection of a project started at least 15 years ago. At that time I was looking for a quick project and I found some plans for an LCT(5). I built it and it was very successful proving a good maneuverable boat and easy to build from scratch. I then started an LCT(4). This got part way through but in its first trials on the water were a failure and it got put to one side. My son wanted a landing craft as well so we started an LCG(L)4 for him, but then we couldn’t find guns at 1/72 scale and that project stopped. Then I dropped out of boats for 15 years.
Last year I decided to pick up the LCT(4) and finish it.
LCT(5) in front looking a little war weary, and LCT(4) behind. Photo 2014 and they looked much the same early this year.
LCT(4) just before work stopped
Part 2 coming, but you put your finger on the original problem. LCG(L)4 has 2 single 4.7"Mk1 guns on Mk6 mounts and 7 twin hand operated Oerlikons, all 1/72 scale.
A few words of background. The LCT(4) was the fourth (surprise) type of LCT developed by the Admiralty during the Second World War. They were 186ft long, 39ft wide and had a beaching draft of 3ft 8ins on a 1 in 35 beach. They were designed to be built in sections by non shipbuilders and transported to waterside locations where they were assembled, again by non-shipbuilding companies. They could carry 11 Shermans or 7 Churchills or equivalent weight. They were powered by 2 Paxmans 500HP diesels giving a nominal 10 knots. The LCT(4)s were noted for breaking their backs on unfavourable beaches or short, steep seas but otherwise gave good service. Later craft were stiffened to eliminate this problem, but this did deepen their draft somewhat. All the model hulls are 1mm HIPS (polystyrene sheet) throughout, this is more than strong enough even for a working boat and very light.
The LCG(L)4 or Landing Craft Gun(Large)4 was based on the LCT(4) hull. The tank deck was decked over and fitted out partly as magazines, partly as mess decks. The ramp was plated over, Splinter proof armour added round the magazines and guns and 2 ex-destroyer guns from W-class destroyers were mounted on deck. Experience with the LCG(L)3 indicated a need for more AA armament so 7 twin 20mm Oerlikons on hand operated mounts were fitted. A 9ft rangefinder was mounted on the bridge. The result was a powerful monitor type ship whose main limitation was the limited elevation of the old 4.7" guns. The main catalyst for restarting the LCG was a 3D printer, my Christmas present. I experimented quite successfully with printing 13.5" guns at 1/96 scale in a working barbette before trying the 4.7s
Looks like I have a viable model. The 4.7s were always my biggest problem
The printer is an Ender 3 Pro, filament printer and I am using FreeCad for design and Cura for slicing (preparing the design for printing. More to come another day
The LCT4 and LCG are both 31” by 6.5” beam. Because of the shallow draught they need to be light. The LCT5 is 19” long and about 7” beam and even lighter. Servo motors for power and AA batteries
That must be around 1/72 scale, Gatos are big subs, and good looking too. I have a part built 1/48 K-class sub that is stupidly big. Need to do quite a bit of work on it, future project?
Next stage is add the Oerlikon zaribas, funnel and scuttles. The zaribas and funnel are both 3D printed and reasonably happy with the result. The zaribas are three different patterns. Scuttles are brass tube let into holes in the plating. The LCG is promising to be the ugliest ship I have ever built
Although the LCT had been fairly complete when I got her out of the loft, the bow ramp hinges were broken. A chance to try the 3D printer! The first design was in one piece, it warped badly due to the uneven heat distribution. Number 2 I printed in three pieces, that worked but the hinges were too weak.
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A redesign enabled a one piece design that printed well. No 3 is currently fitted. The original model design had anticipated a working ramp so a simple mechanism was designed, printed and fitted. It worked well from the start.
The original speed controllers in the LCT were not very good and I had a idea to replace them with a arduino controlled unit, I used this to slow down the servo to provide realistic ramp lowering and raising. With the ramp sorted inspection of the hull and rectification of the minor problems and repainting the forecastle heads where the original stanchions had been removed. New stanchions in etched brass were bought, I needed about 70, from Deans Marine. I needed a fair bit of 0.5mm brass wire, that came from Simply Wires on eBay in a 500g reel. Stanchions and handrails were fitted using cyano to secure stanchions in pre-drilled 0.6mm holes, threading the wire and soldering in place.
The paintwork was a bit grimy after 15 years neglect but I decided I liked in that way and left it alone, however, new paint does look a bit too fresh. I am thinking of leaving it like that as paintwork on a ship of this type could be quite variable. Zaribas, anchor, cable reels were all printed, the bridge front was the wrong shape so a new one was printed along with gratings for the bridge deck and a flag locker. A binnacle, signal lights, tripod mast stays and blocks for halliards need to be made.
Hi Tim, should be soon, been adding stanchions on the forecastle and quarterdeck, need a few minor fittings and the tripod legs for the mast. Just need to find a time to visit a pond now and see whether those little props and motors are man enough to push her along
Although I haven’t been on for a while I have still pushed on a bit. The LCT now has her tripod mast and all her stations and rails. Binnacle is made but not yet painted and the anchor davit base is done, but not fitted. Had a problem with spray can of satin varnish, it spattered varnish that had to be rubbed off. Crocodile trailers now painted and tanks re-painted in a darker green
