Just Got My 1/35 Scale Italeri PT-109 Kit In the Mail!

Wilbur Wright

Was the real PT 109 in green or gray paint scheme?

Both... there is some debate as to her final color (which green, essentially), but she was in the regular prewar gray (#5 Standard Navy Gray) with deck gray (#20 Deck Gray) on the deck before the war broke out.

Wilbur-I agree that Italeri should release more crew figures-specifically for the PT-109.  It appears the original set of ten (10) PT boat crew figres made by Italeri is currently out of production, as it is available almost NOWHERE.

I built the 596 along with the crew and it was a great model. I've got to get some photos up now that I've come out of the dark ages and bought a digital camera.

I don't know if this model is so different (150 parts?) that I personally would buy this one. If your thing is PT boats then of course get it. This109 model looks great. Was the real PT 109 in green or gray paint scheme? They should re-release the crew or do a new crew kit.

Thanks guys.  Al didn't mention it but he's set up a user group on Yahoo for the 109 and the 596 boats.  Check in with Al and join us.

Dave

Al-Thanks for that comment on the deck planking.

For Everyone who is interested in this kit (or any 103 Class PT boat) you are strongly encouraged to read Dave Waples' review of this kit at modelwarships.com (under Reviews).  He gives information on the kit's design and goes into detail about the differences between JFK's PT-109 and the other boats in the same class.  Good photos are also included.  Very helpful!

Thanks

There is a curious error in the kit that wasn't mentioned in Dave's excellent and comprehensive review.  For some reason, Italeri chose to mould a raised rim with what appear to be simulated rivets around the perimeter of the deck.  This does not appear in original ELCO drawings nor in photos of boats of the same class, including the first, 103.  I suspect the pattern maker may have misinterpreted the juncture between the deck planking and the margin plank as a raised guard.  This is incorrect; the margin plank is flush with the top of the deck.  It can be corrected relatively easily by scribing the inside edge of the margin plank into the deck, then scraping/sanding the rim flush.  

Al Ross

Man, so good to see this one released in 1/35th! Wish I could have seen into the future as I would have held off buying the PT-596!

Glad to hear that that corrections were offered by experts, and that these were accepted, and acted on by Italeri! Bravo, boys!

I'll be saving up my paper route money for this one...

Hope Italeri keeps the 35th scale boats coming, maybe with an LCM-6, or even some Vietnam War Riverine subjects!!

Did any other PTs mount the 37mm up front...?

Great news --- can't wait ta see 'er built up!!

With Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

A hull that size screams to be converted to R/C operation

Dave-Thanks for posting on this thread.  You and the other PT Boat experts deserve a pat on the back for working with Italeri.  It is a beatiful kit and I for one am grateful for your efforts.

subfixer-Yes, I finished the PT-109 and Trumpeter's 1/200 Bismark this past weekend (HA! HA!).

Well, it's been a couple of days since you got it, are you done yet? 

Hi Phillip.  Yep, I had the pleasure of organizing this with the help of my friends from the PTboats.org web site and some great people at Italeri.  Italeri did an excellent job taking the information we provided and from the ground up making an excellent 103 class Elco.  I've done a review of the kit which I hope will be appearing on modelwarships.com web site any day now.  There are just a couple of minor issues to work through but I can tell you this is the kit I dreamed of when I was a kid and dad took me to see PT-109.  I hope you enjoy the kit and I'm looking forward to seeing your work.  

Dave Waples

OOOH ! That is nice. I doubt it will grace my shelves , but , it is really nice. To bad the other P.T.s out there can,t measure up .   TANKER-builder

Neat-o!

I'm jealous.

Will enjoy watching your build of this one.....Cheers Mark