This is the old Lindberg kit which is about 1/160 scale (the real ship is about 159ft long, the kit has a 12in hull). The kit is labelled as a LSI (Landing Ship, Infantry) however this was actually a post-war designation, during WW2 these vessels were classed as LCI (L) - Landing Craft, Infantry (Large).
The kit is very crude and basic - one of Lindberg's earlier ship kits I think - though the basic hull + superstructure shape is OK and many of the smaller parts and fittings are usable with some extra work. However, the large scale makes it easy to scratchbuild extra detail from styrene stock.
For reference material I mainly used Squadron/Signal's "WW2 US Landing Craft in Action" - I scratchbuilt the bow ramps (in stowed position), bollards and fairleads (completely missing from the basic kit deck!), replacement gun tubs, an open bridge (the kit simply has a solid block on top of the wheelhouse) and added porthole eyebrows/rigols, an anchor and hawsepipe, running lights, etched brass ladders, and various other small details. The 20mm Oerlikon guns also received scratchbuilt shoulder rests, magazines and sights, these are not in place yet.
The only thing currently missing is the railings; I don't have any PE rails in this scale (only 1/200 and 1/96) so will try adapting some Trumpeter 1/200 plastic railings, which are overscale for their intended scale, but might look OK in 1/150. Failing that, I might try cutting down some 1/96 Deans Marine PE stanchions and rigging the rails individually!
I'll post some more photos when the model is finished. It'll be painted in MS31/6L camouflage - painting this will be a challenge but it will make a change from grey landing craft!
