pt-109's life raft

I was told by (in 1986) by the last 4 survivors that the 109 did not have her Carley Float on 1 AUG 43.

Garth

In the rather poor  photo of PT109 underway on the cover of Robert Ballard's book the raft does not show on either the foredeck or the charthouse roof.  This was prior to the installation of the 37mm so one might surmise that the raft was not being carried at all.   If it was on board it was probably on the day cabin roof, but, like many aspects of PT109's appearance,  I don't think anyone knows for sure. FWIW most PT109 models omit the raft.

Steve Sobieralski

Thanks Garth and Steve.  Most of the models that I have seen did not include the raft, but was just wondering what evidence there was to support that decision.   Thank you for your help!  PS Garth-I have found your website very helpful as well.  

No problem.  And, thank you for the nice words, sir.  I appreciate that.  Just to let you know, I have a book from CHRIS DALEY PUBLISHING coming out "soon" (I'm just awaiting the galley proof from Mr. Daley now) that relates to the series of kits of the eighty-footers from Revell as well as their PT-212 kit.  It is similar to my book on the Italeri PT-596 kit from last year.

In the new one, the late Alex Johnson has a number of write-ups in which he shows what modelers can get from the kit.

Garth

Sounds great!  I received your PT-596 book for Christmas and having been using it to help modify the Lindberg 1/64 scale kit into something that resembles a 103 series boat.  Also received the kit from Santa for use in our backyard pool.   I started out just to make it run and throw it together, but then I built a 37 mm for the foredeck and then started the quest to make it actually resemble the 109.  Looking forward to the new book.

What did you think of the book?  I'd be interested in knowing your opinion of it, as a modeler.

Overall very good.  The pics of the completed models were great, as were the in progress photos (but would have liked to seen more of these for all of the modifications).  The item that I would really like to see is diagrams or photos with notes (leader lines) pointing to the modifications (like some of the articles in FSM) and diagrams showing the location of cuts, modifications, extensions, etc.  Paying an ode to the forum host, that is type of article that has made FSM such a successful publication.  The downside to your book: when I received it the kit was no longer available online or in local hobby shops.  Ebayers are very proud of that kit.  Instead, I'll save my money and wait on the Italeri PT-109.  

Wait a minute, my Italeri book is no longer available?  Mr. Henning - please go to www.ptboatworld.com and click on CONTACT US.  Thanks.

In regard to your comments on the pics, I find it interesting, in that a modeler ripped me a new one because he thought they were too dark.  Hmmm ... interesting.  

Garth- I think he meant the kit, not the book...

Oh, thank you Bondoman.

Yes, I was refering to the kit.  I had considered buying it when it came out, but didn't have the display space.   After receiving your book, I decided to bite the bullet and buy the kit, but have not been able to find a reasonably priced book.  Maybe it was a limited problem when some of the printing, but the photos in my copy were well lite.  I have found the photos of the 109 conversion extremely useful for my "accurizing".   My current dilemina is whether or not to attempt to add deadlights.  Going to the local train shop tomorrow to see if they have any photo-etch N scale ladders.  Might be able to dissect them and make the deadlights.    I used the smallest brass tubing that I had on hand to make the 37 mm and overall it came out looking pretty good.  Unfortunately, it probably scales out to about a 3 incher!  JFK would have been the envy of all the PT boat skippers!

Reasonably priced kit - not book!