| HISTORY AND BACKGROUND |
|
| The battles of the Pacific presented difficult challenges.
The Island fortresses of the Japanese were well defended and it was necessary
to be able to bring large amounts of fire power to bear to help defeat
the defenders. Gun support from Battleships and other smaller ships was
not enough. What was needed was a means to saturate an area with high explosives.
To meet this need, various landing ships were converted to meet the task.
One such conversion was the Landing Ship Medium (Rocket). Fitted with a
5" gun, plenty of anti aircraft guns and over 80 rockets mounted on rails
occupying virtually every square inch of deck space, this little ship packed
a tremendous punch. The rockets would land in a tight pattern, guided only
by the ships heading. So a bit of seamanship was required to bring the
rockets on target. These ships operated dangerously close to enemy guns
but bravely defended the invasion forces and helped secure victory in the
Pacific. |
| SPECIFICATIONS |
|
| Displacement |
|
758 t. (light) |
|
983 t. (attack) |
|
1,175 t. (fully loaded) |
| Length |
|
203' 6" oa |
|
|
|
|
| Beam |
|
34' |
|
|
|
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| Draft |
|
5' 4" (light) |
|
5' 8" (attack) |
|
7' 9" ( fully loaded) |
| Speed |
|
13.2 kts. (max.) |
|
|
|
|
| Armament |
|
one single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount |
|
|
2 x 40 mm medium AA guns |
|
|
3 x 20 mm light AA guns |
|
|
85 x MK 51 automatic rocket launchers |
| Propulsion |
|
2 x General Motors diesels driving 2 screws |
| Endurance |
|
3,000 miles @ 12 kts |
| Complement |
|
5 officers |
|
76 enlisted |
|
|
|
| HULL AND SUPERSTRUCTURE |
|
| Loose Cannon Productions has been filling the gaps in the
amphibious invasion fleets lately. This new LSM(R) will help protect those
LCT's,
and LCI's and other amphibious
ships they are now producing. The hull and main parts are cast on a thin
resin wafer. Casting is pretty good overall with a minimum of cleanup needed
to prep the parts. |
click images
to enlarge |
 |
|
Detail views
The conning tower is cast separate and will need a light sanding to clean
up. I would recommend you drill out the port holes as well. The life rafts
while nicely detailed. The main guns include a single 5" 38 cal enclosed
mount with barrel cast on. The 20 mm guns are cast without the shield,
and use a photo etch one that folds up to include the shoulder rests.
There 40 mm single mounts (some extra's for the carpet monster). Many LSM(R)'s
mounted a single 40 mm gun, while later ones used twin 40 mm gun mounts. |
| PHOTO ETCH |
|
| A brass photo etch fret is included with all the rocket rails (there
are a lot of them). Railings, 40 mm gun tub frame, and even some crew members
fill out the fret. |
 |
| INSTRUCTIONS |
|
| The instructions are 3 pages with some historical background
and specifications. A plan and elevation view is included on one sheet
with another view showing rocket rack placement. I would have preferred
to see a little more detail, but his is adequate to get the job done.
|
| LINKS AND REFERENCE |
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| CONCLUSIONS |
|
This is a one of a kind kit that will make your beach head diorama
stand out. The inclusion of the photo etch makes it a good value for the
waterline modeler. This kit sells for $25.00 US and are available where
ever Loose Cannon products are sold. Check the Loose
Cannon page for details on these and other kits. |
