The hull components come assembled straight from the box.
History
The US Navy's Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle has a heritage from the British Saunders-Roe SRN.5 hovercraft. This vehicle is based on the principle of a turboprop engine turning a reversible propeller and a centrifugal lift fan. The division of power was equal and the propeller was used for forward movement while the centrifugal fan filled a plenum chamber which had escape ports. Air rushes out of these ports between two rubber skirts which were kept from separating by chains near the bottom. The rubber skirts would inflate and the escaping air on the bottom would lift the vehicle providing the air cushion.
By changing the pitch of the propeller, the air cushion vehicle could move forward or reverse. Air escaping the plenum chamber next to the vertical stabilizers would contact the rudder and aid in low-speed maneuvering. Puncturing an air bag would affect the buoyancy of the vehicle.
Bell Systems bought three SRN.5 from Saunders-Roe (a division of Westland Aviation) and replaced the Gnome engine with a turbofan based on the same engine used in the UH-1 helicopter. The Gnome engine was based on the same General Electric engine so the dimensions were very similar and this facilitated the substitution. Later, the British Dowty-Rotol 9-foot propeller was also replaced by a Curtiss-Electric 9-foot model. The US Navy used three of these Patrol Air cushion Vehicles in Vietnam. They went through various upgrades which included adding armor to protect the engine replacing the single M2 HMG on a MK6 MOD 3-gun mount to a twin M2 then the pair was mounted in a MK56 turret (same as the PBRs). Other changes included the aforementioned propeller, and adding narrow then wide walkways. For more information on the use of these vehicles in combat, please visit Lt (jg) Roy Adair's web blog in the references section.
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Kit
The model arrives in a heavy-duty box with plenty of protection. The cabin and plenum chamber come already inserted in the air bags which are depicted inflated. There were no large air bubbles but some flash was evident on the parts. Several sheets of line drawings serve as instructions. A sheet of photo-etched brass is included for the cabin walls, walkway supports, and small details. As boxed, this kit represents a PACV in the last configuration with the larger walkways, engine armor, and twin gun turret.
Photographs
Heavy duty box with plenty of packing to protect the kit.
Overview of Hull
Actually, the hull is separate from the rubber bags.
Upper cabin, vertical stabilizers, rudders, and boxes.
Gun tub, fan ducting, propeller, walkways, exhausts, and more.
Interior parts, horizontal stabilizers, propeller guard rails.
Decals, photo-etched walkway supports and cabin walls, plastic rods, plus small bits.
Close up of the rubber texture on air bags.
Close up of left rear hull.
Left rear of the hull. Note that there should be 12 vertical blades on the centrifugal lift fan similar to a squirrel cage.
The M2 machine guns. No warping found but the detail is basic.
The Mark 56 gun tub.
The machine gun mounts.
Empty ammunition chutes connected by thin, and easy to remove, flash.
Simplified instrument panel for the controller.
Radar Scope
Accuracy
The shape of the major pieces looks good. I was excited when Masterpiece Models announced the PACV kit since there is a survivor located in the Historical Naval Ships Organization relatively near Masterpiece Models' Washington State address. Looking closer at the details, I began to make a list of things I needed to work on or replace.
Conclusion
A lot of work which, while not difficult, is needed to bring the accuracy of this kit to the level expected of the price asked ($169.99USD). I really love the subject so it is worth it for me to take the time to correct and enhance the details.
Acknowledgments
My sincerest thanks to LT (jg) Roy Adair who was part of 107 when they tested the PACV Model 7232 during the first Vietnam phase.
I also thank Masterpiece Models for releasing the PACV especially with the decals. While not perfect, it is a very good starting point for a 'pride of collection' item.
References Used
History
The US Navy's Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle has a heritage from the British Saunders-Roe SRN.5 hovercraft. This vehicle is based on the principle of a turboprop engine turning a reversible propeller and a centrifugal lift fan. The division of power was equal and the propeller was used for forward movement while the centrifugal fan filled a plenum chamber which had escape ports. Air rushes out of these ports between two rubber skirts which were kept from separating by chains near the bottom. The rubber skirts would inflate and the escaping air on the bottom would lift the vehicle providing the air cushion.
By changing the pitch of the propeller, the air cushion vehicle could move forward or reverse. Air escaping the plenum chamber next to the vertical stabilizers would contact the rudder and aid in low-speed maneuvering. Puncturing an air bag would affect the buoyancy of the vehicle.
Bell Systems bought three SRN.5 from Saunders-Roe (a division of Westland Aviation) and replaced the Gnome engine with a turbofan based on the same engine used in the UH-1 helicopter. The Gnome engine was based on the same General Electric engine so the dimensions were very similar and this facilitated the substitution. Later, the British Dowty-Rotol 9-foot propeller was also replaced by a Curtiss-Electric 9-foot model. The US Navy used three of these Patrol Air cushion Vehicles in Vietnam. They went through various upgrades which included adding armor to protect the engine replacing the single M2 HMG on a MK6 MOD 3-gun mount to a twin M2 then the pair was mounted in a MK56 turret (same as the PBRs). Other changes included the aforementioned propeller, and adding narrow then wide walkways. For more information on the use of these vehicles in combat, please visit Lt (jg) Roy Adair's web blog in the references section.
------------------------------------
Kit
The model arrives in a heavy-duty box with plenty of protection. The cabin and plenum chamber come already inserted in the air bags which are depicted inflated. There were no large air bubbles but some flash was evident on the parts. Several sheets of line drawings serve as instructions. A sheet of photo-etched brass is included for the cabin walls, walkway supports, and small details. As boxed, this kit represents a PACV in the last configuration with the larger walkways, engine armor, and twin gun turret.
Photographs
Heavy duty box with plenty of packing to protect the kit.
Overview of Hull
Actually, the hull is separate from the rubber bags.
Upper cabin, vertical stabilizers, rudders, and boxes.
Accuracy
The shape of the major pieces looks good. I was excited when Masterpiece Models announced the PACV kit since there is a survivor located in the Historical Naval Ships Organization relatively near Masterpiece Models' Washington State address. Looking closer at the details, I began to make a list of things I needed to work on or replace.
- The propeller is the wrong shape. It should be a nine-foot Curtiss-Electric paddle type. The blades included in the kit are very similar to those on the three bladed Hamilton Standard propellers found on the related US Army's SK-5 hovercraft.
- There should only be a dozen blades on the centrifugal lift fan but a ducted fan is shown. This requires a drive shaft that goes up into the engine nacelle as well. The centrifugal fan's appearance is more like a squirrel cage so the visible blades of the ducted fan should be hidden under a cone which diverts the air to the vertically aligned blades along the edge. With the venturi duct in place, the problem is not so obvious other than the missing drive shaft.
- No acetate was included and the cabin walls do not seem to have any built-in support for the MK56 turret.
- The canvas texture on the rubber air bags, while visually appealing, should be removed for accuracy. I have filled them with Gunze Sangyo Mr. Surfacer 500 and sanded them smooth.
- The panniers, which look like rectangular boxes, should be shaped on the bottom to the plenum chamber's profile.
- Various small details like navigation lights, handrails and so on are missing.
- The flag decals only have 39 out of the 50 stars. One row each of 5 and 6 are missing. New flags are being printed by Masterpiece Models and will be included. The sharkmouth, my favorite type of marking, has brown lips instead of red. These are designed to replicate the faded color and are based on a veteran's description. If used, the model must be heavily weathered and faded. I prefer the red and may model PACV 1 which assisted in the rescue of downed US Navy helicopter crew from Sea Wolves Squadron so I will probably paint my own as each sharkmouth was different.
- The Mark 56 gun turret, same as used by the PBR, is quite simplified. It seems to rely heavily on Tamiya's PBR parts so it can be detailed by using Eduard's photo-etched detail set designed for Tamiya's PBR Mk II kit. The guns will be exchanged for those from Tasca with barrels from LMD.
Conclusion
A lot of work which, while not difficult, is needed to bring the accuracy of this kit to the level expected of the price asked ($169.99USD). I really love the subject so it is worth it for me to take the time to correct and enhance the details.
Acknowledgments
My sincerest thanks to LT (jg) Roy Adair who was part of 107 when they tested the PACV Model 7232 during the first Vietnam phase.
I also thank Masterpiece Models for releasing the PACV especially with the decals. While not perfect, it is a very good starting point for a 'pride of collection' item.
References Used
- http://pacvdiv107.blogspot.com/
- Hovercraft Bulletin, Issue 44, ISSN: 0144-3755
- The Hovercraft Museum Newsletter, Issue 44, ISSN: 0957-4263
- Naval Aviation News, February 1969
- All Hands Magazine, January 1969
- The Quarterly Digets, CDI Marine Company, Volume 23 (on hovercraft lift fans)
- On the Cushion, Number 2, 1965
- TM 55-1940-220-15, PBR Mk II (has the same Mk. 56 turret)
- http://brownwater.net/Project/Mark56.asp (Mk 56 turret restoration)
- TM 55-1940-220-20P (has the same Mk. 56 turret)
- http://brownwater.net/Project/Mark562a.asp (Mk 56 turret restoration)
