1/160th Scale Conversion of the Lingberg LCI to an LCS(L)(3)
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 11:45 pm
Growing up I always wanted to build an LCS(L)(3) model for my father who served on the LCS(L)(3)-24 during WWII. His ship picked up 42 Survivors of the USS Bush (DD-529) after the Bush was sunk on 6 April 1945 at Radar Picket Station #1.
After my father passed in January of 2009 there were a few books that came out specifically about the LCSL and the Okinawa campaign that helped me find out that the LCS(L) design was a conversion of the LCI(L). Armed with that knowledge I was able to find the old Lindberg LCI kit to attempt a conversion.
The line art I had of the LCSL design figured out to about 1/130th scale on my computer so I was able to convert the measurements to 1/160th scale pretty easily. I started by cutting away those sections of the deckhouse sides and bow that were a part of the main hull halves. Using the deck house roof to fill the gap in the deck, I then cut a new deck of .020 styrene. I sanded the ramp extensions from the hull halves and cut the forward splinter shields from the main deck and moved them outboard to the deck edge. I knew the armament mounted on the -24 so I looked up on Shapeways and picked up a 3"-50 cal deck gun, two twin 40mm guns and a set of 20mm guns. Other fittings from shapeways included the anchor on the fantail, the winch, the Ship's Wherry and the lifeboats, Mk.51 gun directors and Rocket Launchers. At the time, no one made Mk.7 Rocket launchers so I had to settle for Mk.20 launchers. Not the best solution but all I could get at the time. I've recently found someone who produces them and have them on order. PE rails and ladders were added where needed.
The kit recently took a silver at the IPMS Contest in Cincinnati Ohio on October 19th.
After my father passed in January of 2009 there were a few books that came out specifically about the LCSL and the Okinawa campaign that helped me find out that the LCS(L) design was a conversion of the LCI(L). Armed with that knowledge I was able to find the old Lindberg LCI kit to attempt a conversion.
The line art I had of the LCSL design figured out to about 1/130th scale on my computer so I was able to convert the measurements to 1/160th scale pretty easily. I started by cutting away those sections of the deckhouse sides and bow that were a part of the main hull halves. Using the deck house roof to fill the gap in the deck, I then cut a new deck of .020 styrene. I sanded the ramp extensions from the hull halves and cut the forward splinter shields from the main deck and moved them outboard to the deck edge. I knew the armament mounted on the -24 so I looked up on Shapeways and picked up a 3"-50 cal deck gun, two twin 40mm guns and a set of 20mm guns. Other fittings from shapeways included the anchor on the fantail, the winch, the Ship's Wherry and the lifeboats, Mk.51 gun directors and Rocket Launchers. At the time, no one made Mk.7 Rocket launchers so I had to settle for Mk.20 launchers. Not the best solution but all I could get at the time. I've recently found someone who produces them and have them on order. PE rails and ladders were added where needed.
The kit recently took a silver at the IPMS Contest in Cincinnati Ohio on October 19th.