Brown Water Enterprises

Step 7: Extra Details

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The model kit reflects a 1968 "Zippo" as it would appear upon arrival to Vietnam. Later, most Zippo's were fitted In-Country with XAR-30 armor plates surrounding the M10-8 Flame Guns mounted on the bow. This armor provided additional protection for the gunners from RPGs and small arms. Additionally, some crews added more firepower to their boats and mounted two (2) M2HB .50 Cal Machine Guns (MG) amidship behind 1/4" armored shields.

Here are the extra details I added, which were all easily scratch built using plastic sheet styrene.

First I built a simple hexagon template from sheet styrene. Then I measured, numbered, and glued all the pieces together to resemble the gun turret on the left.

Once both turrets were complete, they were glued into place on the bow.

Correct positioning of the scratch built Flame Gun armor.

Close up details for the M2HB MGs and the scratch built gun shields.

The new scratch built parts painted and dry brushed.

Template for making flame-gun armor.

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