FirstLook

When Brett gave me this kit to review I was stunned by the box size which is huge for a 1/72 scale kit. I first thought that the box would be sparsely populated as is the norm for some manufacturers but was shocked to discover a box full to the brim with crisply moulded grey styrene , PE , decals and an A3 sized full colour painting and marking guide.

A lot of thought has gone into this kit from the build point of view and from a packaging point of view. The bottom of the box has a large vacformed package which holds the impressive 1 piece Skirt and alongside it in a separate cardboard box is the Large PE fret. Underneath the vac form is a A4 sized cardboard box with the deck and hull lower as 1 piece moulds. An A3 sized decal sheet rounds out the package along with the 8 gray sprues with one in clear.

The Landing Air Craft Air Cushion (or LCAC) is a 21st Century approach to the landing craft and is a long way removed from the craft of WW2. It is large and very hi tech with 3 Pilots rather than a traditional Helmsman and bridge crew.

For some background on the vessels I found the US Navy fact file as the Kit whilst being of a Japan maritime Self Defence Force vessel is the same as its US Marine predecessors. The fact file can be accessed here: LCAC FACT FILE

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Description

Air cushion craft for transporting, ship-to-shore and across the beach, personnel, weapons, equipment, and cargo of the assault elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. 

Features

The Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) is a high-speed, over-the-beach fully amphibious landing craft, capable of carrying a 60-75 ton payload. It is used to transport the weapons systems, equipment, cargo and personnel of the assault elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force from ship to shore and across the beach. LCAC can carry heavy payloads, such as an M-1 tank, at high speeds. The LCAC payload capability and speed combine to significantly increase the ability of the Marine Ground Element to reach the shore. Air cushion technology allows this vehicle to reach more than 70 percent of the world's coastline, while only about 15 percent of that coastline is accessible by conventional landing craft.

I thought construction would be simple and straight forward and just the sort of kit for a quick project. A read through the typical Trumpeter Instruction Sheet proves that this is a build that will require some time (and space!).

Construction is logical and straight forward and the kit is broken up into building sub assemblies.

• Step 1 & 2 This starts with the lower hull deck and adds the ramps (fore and Aft). It appears that the ramps are only available in the underway (raised) position due to the Kit only coming with an inflated skirt. The skirt whilst flexible would definitely prove to be an obstacle if you wanted to display the kit with Ramps Down.

• Steps 3,4 & 6 These are the ramp actuator sub assemblies and Trumpeter have giving the option of late or Early (I haven’t managed to work out which is which yet. You have four of these to assemble for the craft with two forward (port and starboard) and to Aft (port and Starboard. These have very well detailed PE Mesh panels that need to be attached during construction.

• Steps 5 & 7 This is where you put the actuators and associated screens, bollards and fixtures onto the Hull deck and the craft is starting to look like a very low profile craft.

• Step 8 Small detail sub assemblies for the Deck structures are covered in this stage such as doors, Life craft pods, Exhaust Stacks and Observation cupolas.

• Step 9 The upper port forward superstructure compartment is assembled in this stage which is quite busy when complete.

• Step 10 We make the Exhaust stack roof units for the turbine housings here. These are quite simple using the Exhaust nozzles from step 8 and 3 other moulded parts.

• Step 11 & 20 The Exhaust assemblies from Step 10 are added to the boxy Engine Housings and we see the first of the Large PE vents being added. Ensure you do not forget these as they are fitted from the inside of the assemblies. This assembly has a series of ribs that need to be added along the side of the exhaust stack. Surprisingly despite the large Mesh screens there are only bulkhead walls within. I suppose here is an opening for an Aftermarket set).

• Step 12 & 13 More PE in the form of a series of sub assembles for Mesh frames. These make assemblies that sit between the superstructure modules whilst Step 13 is more exhaust / inlet stacks and detail fitting assemblies for step 14

• Step 14 & 21 -  The last of the Superstructure compartments (rear most) is made up in the typical box like fashion and detailed with parts from step 13 and PE screens.

• Step 15 The massive Propeller housings that drive these craft are built in this stage with 9 major parts making up this assembly (x 2)

• Step 16 – The Cockpit superstructure with interior is made up of approx 22 pieces. The “pilots” seats are all included with separate throttle, steering yoke and joysticks. A world of extra detail could be added here and despite the size of the decal sheet no instruments seem to be provided for the cockpit.

• Step 17 – Additional detail assemblies in the form of Windscreen wipers (3 parts each x 6) and Mirrors for the Cockpit module exterior.

• Step 18  - The exterior of the Cockpit module is detailed with the wipers, Radar, rails, Life raft pod and nav lights.

• Step 19 This is a series of screens and frames as per step 12

• Step 22 – The six Port side Superstructure modules are added

• Step 23 – The six Starboard Side Superstructure modules are added and we are looking like an LCAC

• Step 24 – Mesh walkways for the Exhaust/Intake? Stacks are assembled and added to complete construction along with a railing/piping on the Starboard side.

• Step 25? – The decaling is covered in a very well laid out and detailed A3 size colour Guide which shows the detailed placement and has plan views of both sides of each superstructure (port & starboard), Deck and skirt. Decals are provided for all 6 JMSDF LCACs. Most markings are in English and a lot appear compatible with USMC markings so it shouldn’t be hard to do a USMC craft from this kit.

• I have pored over online pics of both operators craft and there is little in the way of US markings that can’t be done from this kit (correspondence from more knowledgeable welcomed).

Conclusion

This is a fantastic kit which is well thought out and detailed but buildable. It will make a very unique piece and could be used to showcase JMSDF or USMC vehicles in a unique way. What better place for those lovely prebuilt LAV25 and HMMV! Well done to Trumpeter for tackling such a unique subject. It would look great alongside the old Airfix SRN4 which obviously inspired the real thing.

Recommended

Thanks to J.B. Wholesalers for the review sample.