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MiniHobby PT 815

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  • Member since
    November 2005
MiniHobby PT 815
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 7:25 PM
Smile [:)]I just purchased MiniHobby Models 1/72 JSDF PT boat 815 (or PT-15). This is obviously the Tamiya model that I couldn't afford when it was first issued some years back. Despite their elimination from the box art, the crew members are present in the kit, along with some thread and a small sheet of decals. Chain and flags sheet are missing. It has the metal shaft tube glued and sealed to the one-piece hull, and the kit contains a metal propshaft and operational screw, along with the non-operational screws and shafts to make a static model. The motor and other components to make the model motorized are lacking.

Approve [^]Despite its minor failings (eg: "sink-holes" in the back of some crew figuresDead [xx(]), this appears to be a decent kit at the $15 USD I paid at a sale at my LHS[:0]. THey also had the MiniHobby Models version of Tamiya's 1/72 Vosper/Perkasa MTB (again, as a static model) for a low price. I didn't get it as I had already built the Tamiya kit.

As I understand MiniHobby is in the Trumpeter/Banner conglomerate. What I'm curious about is Tamiya's announcement on its website that it is going to re-issue the PT-815 kit! Has any company successfully reissued a kit when another company was marketing from the same moldQuestion [?]?

"Should we prosper it shall be as is our custom...by Miracle!"Sleepy [|)]
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Derry, New Hampshire, USA
Posted by rcboater on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 9:47 PM
I was in my local shop yesterday, and they had an RC version of this kit for $49. It included the RC equipment, but looked to be toy-quality RC with a range of about 50 feet. Model (toy?) was recommended for use in pools and ponds.

I assumed it was a cheap copy of the Tamiya kit, and not up to Tamiya standards. Is this correct?

-Bill

Webmaster, Marine Modelers Club of New England

www.marinemodelers.org

 

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 8, 2004 6:39 PM
Shy [8)]Reply to rcboater:

Haven't seen the RC model you refer to, but the MiniHobby static model I wrote about is the same detail and pretty much the same quality plastic components as Tamya's kits. The only "operative" parts are the propshaft, tube, screw, rudder and cap for the rudder stem (and, of course, the molded configuration in the hull to hold the motor, etc.)

The plans/instructions are definitely not up to Tamya's standards. Dead [xx(] They are exploded parts diagrams printed on both sides of the page(with a brief PT boat history, a few painting instructions and directions, and reference to rigging. Disapprove [V]The kit lacks the chains, flags, motor, switches, battery boxes and motorizing components. Sleepy [|)]The kit does, however, have all the plastic parts to create the static model just like Tamya's.

The static model is definitely not a toy, but could be made into a decent display modelSmile [:)] for a relatively low price. With more RC tinkering, work and some decent RC components it could probably function acceptably in that role also. I'd suggest that as a better option than purchasing the model with an included but inadequate RC setup.

Cool [8D]Let us know how you fare with this if you decide to pursue it.

"Sould we prosper it shall be as is our custom...by Miracle!"
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