Pier 51

[Alan_McNeilly]

I have Seaguls and Rats will they do? Still working on the seaweed and possible some sunken items!

I will have to settle the layout of the boarts soon, what fits best where. My original set of LCs were built with a landing in mind so I’ll lay out a few hulls when I finish with the sea bed. I forgot to mark a couple of the beams with depth markers (1ft, 2ft etc) so i’ll have to footer about now to add that detail. Some grass and weeds also required on the dock around the grates and Light House.I have to add some blown sand up the exit ramp and on top of the foundations.Pools of water in the sand dips etc. Best crack on.Cheers Al

[Barney]

Wow! I just finally stumbled upon this build. Fantastic build with amazing details. I can picture a gull poop stained roof on the fishing shed.

There is always some sort of flotsam hanging around the corners, which in my part of the world is eel grass and kelp, with a little mix of rock weed.

[Alan_McNeilly]

Many thanks for looking in and the reply. Lots to do yet.

[Alan_McNeilly]

Hi folks, Whilst waiting for some things to dry I thought I try a few different layouts for the LCs. Should it be 3, 4 or 5? To utalise both cranes I would need an LCVP or LCM 3 in those areas. Also whether the bow doors are up or down effects the space issue. Thanks Al.

[golikell]

Hmmm. Hard question… My thoughts goes to the fact that it isn’t necessary per se to have both cranes utilized. Loading infantry doesn’t warrant the use of the cranes.

I’d say 3 Landing craft next to each other, the one with the hoops (don’t know it’s designation) at the rear, but nothing in front. They need at least some room to manoeuvre.

Something like this:

[Alan_McNeilly]

Thanks for the thoughts. I’ll try more options and see what looks best.

[Uncle-Heavy]

Would you consider using partial crafts/vessels?

Wild ideas:

Tied up alongside each other, as @golikell suggests, the whole lengths of the
outer boats will not fit.

Slice off the excess and close the hull insides with solid sheet, maybe with clear sheet blanking off the cargo area to allow a sight line at cargo area deck level.

[Johnnych01]

My reasoning goes with this layout.

You have 639 with the ramp down being loaded, the one to its rear can be just tied and used as a taxi to others at anchor in deeper water, and 431 along side ready for troops to board and jump across to the one tied to it.

That leaves a decent size area to manoeuvre in the open area, as once loaded, 639 would probably have to reverse out to allows others in to that quay side ?

[Alan_McNeilly]

Thanks for the thoughts, it’s an idea. I have a lot of stuff accumulated for a beach landing and I’ve seen the concept of a 1/2 or 1/4 boat used effectively there..

[Alan_McNeilly]

Thanks Johnny, The LCPL has work going on on the engine so lashed to the dock works there. This was close to my original thoughts when only 2 boat types were available.

I tried a bit of an experiment with E Z water this morning, not very successful, so had to cut it out and refill the space. Took out a lot of my seaweed

I wasn’t sure about the boats being beached at first, but given the tyde conditions in the UK that’s not an uncommon sight. There were staging areas all over the UK and along the Sosuth Coast so it should be fine.

[srmalloy]

Just a minor nitpick about markings — LCA 431 was lost at Normandy, part of the 502nd Assault Flotilla, carrying the 47 Royal Marine Commando to land on Gold Beach. On approach to the beach, they saw they were approaching the wrong beach, and while they were repositioning, German fire sunk five of the landing craft, including LCA 431, with 76 casualties from the Commando along with a loss of their equipment.

[Alan_McNeilly]

Thanks for the info. Fortunately not a landing dio, but I’ll bear that in mind.

[Alan_McNeilly]

Hi folks, another possible layout is with the DUKWs heading for the water? I’d have to russle up some drivers etc but it might add a sense of forward motion.

[Uncle-Heavy]

The DUKW certainly add large scale motion.
Sailors/Soldiers moving about the floaty things provide small scale, low key
action.

[Johnnych01]

@Alan_McNeilly

DUKWs

Now you tell us about the DUKWs !!

That is a masterstroke ….. they add the perfect sense of movement and action/work in that area.

[Alan_McNeilly]

Thanks for the respponse. They were sitting on the slipway at one point Johnney but with the boats beached I though less boats and some action.

[Chepster]

I really liked the idea of a little harbour crammed with landing craft loading to shuttle troops to the waiting transports BUT I think that’s looks more balanced and dynamic

[Alan_McNeilly]

Thanks, appreciated.

[Alan_McNeilly]

Morning folks, I’ve been doing some work on the sea bed. Slow process and a new adventure! The result so far.

[Uncle-Heavy]

That canteen van reminded me that it’s time for lunch …