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LENGTH
39” BEAM 6”
1/72
SCALE
DM-LSM751
PRICE:
The LSM is an ocean-going amphibious assault ship 203’ 6” long, with a
beam of 34’ 6”. During 1944-45 the crews consisting of 48 enlisted men
and 4 officers
were assembled and trained at the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek,
VA.
The
ship could transport 50 troops
and 6 Mark VI medium tanks. Armament was 1 Bofors twin or a
single 40mm cannon, 4 each 20mm anti-aircraft guns and 7 each 50 caliber
machine guns (this could
vary).
She was powered by two diesel engines General Motors Model 16-278A
or Fairbanks Morse Model 38D8 1/8 x 10 with 2,800 shaft horsepower and
a speed of 13
knots. LSM’s were flat bottomed and drew 6-7 feet when loaded.
Their primary mission was to transport tanks, vehicles, equipment, personnel
and supplies to
the beaches.
Beaching was accomplished by dropping a stern anchor approximately
100 yds. from the beach, and then running up on the beach usually between 2/3
and full
speed ahead. The bow doors were opened and the ramp lowered to off-load
the cargo. The twin propellers were sometimes kept running in the ahead
mode to keep
the ship on the beach as she was unloading. Retracting from the beach
was accomplished by reversing the engines
and hauling in the stern anchor.
Between 1944-45 554 LSM’s were built at six different US shipyards. Sixty hulls
were converted or built as LSMRs, rocket ships with a crew of five officers
and 133 enlisted men. In addition to rocket launchers and
mortars LSMR’s were armed with a 5” 38 caliber dual purpose gun, 2 each twin
40mm cannons and 2 each 20mm anti-aircraft guns( this could
vary). These
small ships had more fire power than the Battleship IOWA.
Most LSM and LSMR’s served in the Pacific during WWII [none in Europe] and most participated in
assault landings on the Philippines,
Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
This action was followed by occupation duty in Japan, Korea and China. Thirty nine craft served
during the Korean war and three saw action in Vietnam.
LSM 161 was the last one to see commissioned service in the US Navy and
was stricken from the records on 1
June 1965.
Following WWII 129 were transferred to the navies of twenty five different
countries. Some remain
on active duty in Greece, Korea and Taiwan and
maybe Communist China.
Some remain in use by private industry in the USA including two on the
west coast - the salvage ship SALVAGE CHIEF (formerly LSM380) and the first
factory ship
WESTERN SEA (formally USS PEE DEE RIVER – LSMR 517). Eighty nine LSM’s
and eighteen LSMR’s were converted to barges some of which are still in use. Note
that
in October 1955 seven LSMs that were on active duty and all the 401 and
501 class LSMR’s were assigned names. The LSMR’s were named after minor
US rivers.
Details of the kit the fiberglass hull in this kit is with full rubbing strip
and port detail.
Computer generated printed plastic forms the main tank deck and basic superstructure
along with the 1mm plastic deck. To complete the construction of the model
all complex parts are vacformed in 1mm plastic for bridge, boat, motor
mounting and nicads tray etc. A complete set of fittings are included in the
kit with all detail parts such as weapons, deck fittings,
etc, cast in light alloy. Larger item such as lockers, floats, and gun bases
are molded in plastic castings for light weight. Ladders and stanchions are
also in etched brass to
give a final showcase finish. Prop shafts in stainless steel are cased in
brass prop tubes with fitted oilers and replaceable bearings along with
rudders and tiller arms.
These, together with a comprehensive instruction book and a FULL SIZE PLAN
assist in the assembly of this impressive model. A color chart, plus a set
of decals, are included in the kit to add the finishing touch to this
kit model as a worthy and much requested addition to our warship
range.
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PHOTOS
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION:
Complete
Kit with everything needed to build
the model except radio, speed ctrl. and motor. Also included is a C/D
containing all the pictures (approx 400) taken during construction
of ALL the prototype models. This is a works C/D and contains all the
pictures, alterations, and changes to the prototype models.
There is no written text or explanation notes on the CD.
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