1/700 Assault Support Patrol Boat (ASPB) - (x3) 3D Pt - Brown Water Navy #1

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NO RESERVE. We're offering here a beautifully detailed set of three 1/700 scale Assault Support Patrol Boats (ASPB) models that have just come out of the 3D printer. Not since David Farragut moved into the Mississippi to take New Orleans has the US Navy fought a river war, but then not since the Civil War had the United States been involved in a conflict where rivers meant so much. The Delta region of Vietnam is 10,000 miles of water furrows, canals and rivers snaking through rich rice lands, dense mangrove swamps and nip a palm. The Viet Cong laid claim to this area in 1946, using the water highway for supply and transport to bigger targets in the South. Names like Nam Can, Chau Doc, Tra Cu and Nha Be may never carry the weight of New Orleans, Natchez, Vicksburg or Memphis, 16,000 US Navymen operated from these bases and dozens of others like them to fight brief but deadly battles in Charley's lair and on Charley's terms - images of AK-47's high-pitch staccato on 'Blood Alley', of B40 rockets whooshing overhead over 'Brown's Bun', of crude but terribly effective mines at 'Coral Bend'. Intended to operate with ATCs, the ASPB was the only purpose-built riverine craft used in Vietnam. They had the unenviable responsibility of leading the column patrol, usually streaming their minesweeping gear, because they had radar equipment and reasonable resistance to underwater mines. The durable 'Alpha Boats', derived from the 'A' prefix of their hull numbers, had two turrets placed with excellent fields of fire (the forward one with twin .50 cal machine guns, the one aft of the cockpit housing a a 20mm cannon) and an 81mm mortar emplaced n the fantail. The ASPBs were faster than the ATCs and Monitors in the column and could rapidly respond to enemy threats, leading them to be referred to as the MRF's 'Destroyers'.This is the first ASPB model ever offered in 1/700 scale. We believe that the 3D printed model offered here compares very favorably with comparable Loose Cannon resin models and they don't require any assembly. W e've posted high resolution photos so you can judge for yourself. They're not perfect though as some details like the 20mm gun barrels are a bit thick due to 3D printing design guidelines. Still these are pretty convincing models which, with a little PE or stretched spur could become masterpieces. While photography of this little gems is a challenge for our limited skills and equipment, check out the well proportioned model including details like the superstructure with radar, the forward Mod 2 and top Mod 0 turrets and the 81mm mortar in the fantail cockpit, .While the surfaces are not perfectly smooth (3D printing is done in layers), the plastic used can be sanded and painted much the same way you would handle resin or styrene. The models may still have some powder and/or oil-like agent on them that can be removed by washing in warm water with a drop of detergent in it.These beautiful Program 4 ASPB models should be a welcome addition to any wargamer's or 1/700 modeler's collection, particularly those interested in Riverine Operations in Vietnam . Please take a look at the other 1/700 scale aircraft models that we have on auction as well. We're always happy to combine shipping for multiple purchases to save whenever possible. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions whatsoever. read more

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