We look at it in our preview…
Gecko new 1/35 scale US Navy Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle (PACV) (late production). We look at it in our preview…Gecko
new 1/35 scale US Navy Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle (PACV) (late production)ModelsGecko models has shown more on its Vietnam-era PACV today – with sprues and art on display. We look at it in our preview…
US Navy Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle (PACV) (late production)
Gecko
1/35th scaleModels
Kit No: #35GM0101
Plastic injection kit
The Subject: The Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle (PACV),
also known as the Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) in Army and Coast Guard service, played a crucial role during the Vietnam War. The hovercraft was designed to patrol marshy or riverine areas. The PACV was unique in that it had no draft. This allowed the pacv to move freely through the reedy waters of South Vietnam in areas like the Mekong delta and Plain of Reeds. The pacv’s 60 knots of speed (110 km/h, 69 mph), made it more powerful than any other watercraft during the war. The PACV was most useful for raids and ambushes, particularly at night when it can be hidden behind swamp grass and reeds. It was not very quiet, so it wasn’t effective for surprise attacks. However, its speed allowed it to attack Viet Cong base and flee before the Viet Cong could react. The PACV proved to be the most efficient when used in combined operations with helicopters, artillery and other watercraft. Patrol missions performed in conjunction with Hurricane Aircat or air cavalry were particularly effective. The PACV was also used to create a stationary radar station with its radar and low-profile when the engines were turned off. The Army evaluated the ACV and found it to be lacking in firepower. It was unable damage fortified or armored targets. They recommended equipping it with more powerful weapons. Fuel resupply was another issue that came up frequently for longer missions, especially since there wasn’t an adequate way to refuel in the field. Fuel resupply was another frequently cited issue for longer missions, especially given that no adequate method of refueling in the field existed.The PACV was frequently compared to a helicopter because of its speed, terrain crossing ability, maintenance requirements, and cost.Army ACV units operated similarly to air cavalry.
Operating these highly specialized vehicles required pilots and maintenance personnel undergo considerable training, with pilots requiring 75-100 hours of flight experience before participating in combat.Training requirements meant that the Army had to set one craft aside for training for 14 days every month. Troops riding in and on the PACVs also needed training to use them safely: during evaluation, one soldier died when he fell into the hovercraft’s intake, and another lost his hand to the propeller.
Another downside of the PACV was the degree of maintenance it required: each hour of operation required 20 hours of maintenance, double the 10-hour average for contemporary military helicopters. The Army evaluated the PACV and found it to be operationally ready at 55.7%. All three Army ACVs had only been operational since June 1969. The Army evaluated that the unit
had no chance of fighting successfully in any major engagement due to the high maintenance requirements, and the low firepower. The PACV was also very expensive, costing about $1 million each, as much as thirteen Patrol Boat, Rivers (PBR’s).
Because of their high profile and degree of threat, the PACVs and ACVs in Vietnam became major targets. VietCong ambushes and maritime mines were used against PACVs. The mines were particularly effective. On 9 January 1970, a tripwire-triggered bomb destroyed Army ACV 902. The attack was successful, but the ACVs were slowed down because the Army required that hovercraft be operated in pairs. ACVs became inactive after ACV 901 was destroyed on 3 August 1970 by a mine detonated under command. Three men were killed. In September 1970, the 39th ACV Platoon officially left Vietnam and transferred their only surviving ACV. It was then sent to Virginia’s Army Transportation Museum. Navy PACVs returned to the continental United States that August.
The Kit: Gecko [PACV/ACV] 1/35 scale US Navy Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle (PACV) (late production)
The test kit of Gercko
new 1/35 scale US Navy Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle (PACV) (late production) has been released for assemnly testing. We have not seent he kit put together yet, so we will hold off on going gag ga too quickly, but we can work out some things with the images that we have already.ModelsLarge slabs cover the upper and lower hull of the PACV
We know that the kit is a full injection moulded kit, an that it will most certainly be cheaper than other kits of the type in the past. The low looking parts count is refreshing, but no doubt there will be a lot og aftermrket for this kit on the market soon after release, as there is space to modify, and real estate for items to be placed upon.ModelsThe clear parts for the kit
It looks like a resin stretcher is included in this kit, Surely that will be packed full of stowage on most people/s kits…
Thankfully there looks to be only a minimum of photo-etch which is a welcomr change for hecko models. It is possible that this could be changed as it’s a test kit…
The colour choices of this kit will suit many modellers…