The ASPB kit that I created for Masterpiece Models is the late-war Program 5 version, which is pictured here. The following series of outstanding photographs were used for building the kit master, and should provide great assistance for assembling your kit.

The major visible differences between the Program 4 and 5 ASPB was the welded over stern and relocated minesweeping gear.

A safety gate was added to prevent Sailors from falling off the stern. For more photographs and detials about the Program 5 ASPB I highly recommend my book Vietnam Ironclads!

Here is a wartime shot of a Program 5 ASPB from River Assault Division 131 circa 1969. Notice that the Program 4 split-hatch between the forward Mark 48 and deckhouse has been eliminated in the Program 5 version.

Here are the major components of the kit.

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