WhIf's generated by Wikipedia

[Scotaidh]

One of the builds I'm following is this one: Bell AV-22A Mamba  In it someone mentioned the GAU-13 30mm gun pod, which I'd never heard of, so I looked it up on Google-> Wikipedia.  The last paragraph has given me ideas - here it is (my bold).

"In Fall 1995, the U.S. Marine Corps conducted a trial of the GPU-5 on the LCAC-66, as a potential weapon to provide suppressive fire for landing forces. The pod was mounted on a standard MAU-12 bomb rack, itself mounted in a standard cargo container. It was believed that four such containers could then be carried on the LCAC. The resulting combination was referenced as the Gun Platform Air Cushion (GPAC). By 1997, the Marines had reportedly acquired the USAF's entire stock of GAU-13/A cannons and GPU-5 pods as surplus. Besides the GPAC, the GAU-13/A was also touted as possible armament on ships and ground vehicles such as the LAV-25. "

I'm now thinking of an SRN4 as a RO/RO bristling with gatling turrets in various calibres - miniguns for close-in defense; 20mm for AA and light armored vehicles; 30mm for building reduction and main armament.    I'm thinking even an MBT might think twice in the face of a 30mm firing APDS rounds ...   

[McColm]

Great idea, what scale would you use?

[Scotaidh]

Well, it all rather depends on whether or not I can get my hands on a model of the SRN-4 ... I'm thinking they must be rather few in number these days. I haven't actually checked - I never bought one of the Airfix kits, which were the only source for those that I've ever known.

[Scotaidh]

A quick google reveals some on Evil-Bay - but the cheapest one is $165.00 plus shipping ...

[kitnut617]

Why not do one in 1/72 scale, only 81 Euros

https://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/tr07302.html

[Scotaidh]

Why not do one in 1/72 scale, only 81 Euros

https://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/tr07302.html

Well, I could, I suppose ... but I'm sure someone will or has done one already. 

I really would prefer a 'militarized' SRN4 ... As it is, just one more model from my youth that I should have bought and didn't.   

[PR19_Kit]

A quick google reveals some on Evil-Bay - but the cheapest one is $165.00 plus shipping ...

That's pretty pricey, the most expensive one I've bought was around £35 maybe 5 yrs ago. Airfix re-popped it some time ago, but in the same box as the original ones, but they aren't any better and suffer from a lot of flash.

It's not an easy kit to build as the skirt and outer 'fuselage' are moulded in LOTS of parts. It's also a Mk 1, and they didn't last very long before being upgraded to the Mk2s with a wider passenger and vehicle compartment. And if you fancy making a Super 4 version you'll need THREE of them!

[Scotaidh]

A quick google reveals some on Evil-Bay - but the cheapest one is $165.00 plus shipping ...

That's pretty pricey, the most expensive one I've bought was around £35 maybe 5 yrs ago. Airfix re-popped it some time ago, but in the same box as the original ones, but they aren't any better and suffer from a lot of flash.

It's not an easy kit to build as the skirt and outer 'fuselage' are moulded in LOTS of parts. It's also a Mk 1, and they didn't last very long before being upgraded to the Mk2s with a wider passenger and vehicle compartment. And if you fancy making a Super 4 version you'll need THREE of them!

No, the MkI would do me fine.  Errm - I don't suppose you know of anyone who has one surplus to needs?  A built one would be fine - even a trashed one would be a great starting point. 

[jcf]

SRN4 minesweeper proposal in SRN4 thread:
http://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php/topic,29967.msg457353.html#msg457353

[jcf]

SRN4 based hover lighter.

[PR19_Kit]

No, the MkI would do me fine.  Errm - I don't suppose you know of anyone who has one surplus to needs?  A built one would be fine - even a trashed one would be a great starting point.

Sadly for you no. I have three of them and I've been working on making a Super 4 from them for about 5 yrs now. I REALLY should get on with it!

A pity they didn't build any of those SRN4 proposals, they may have helped persuade other operators of their potential.

[jcf]

The lighter in particular could have formed the basis of both an assault type like an
LCAC and a straightforward ship-to-shore connector system, concepts for which
the US, UK and NATO in general have been kicking around for forty years +
without result.