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Revell New Tool 1/72 PT 109

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  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Orlando, Florida
Posted by ikar01 on Sunday, March 26, 2023 4:32 PM

While at Kadena I got a chance to see the JMSDF PT Boats sitting at dock in Naha Harbor.  They carried 4 tubes and a 40mm Bofors gun on each end.  This proved to be a deadly combination.

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: Canada
Posted by sharkbait on Sunday, March 26, 2023 2:34 PM

Would that someone would come out with a 1/72 or, better yet, 1/48 Fairmile D "Dogboat" MGB. 

Always nice to dream in technicolor. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairmile_D_motor_torpedo_boat

You have never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3!

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Formerly Bryan, now Arlington, Texas
Posted by CapnMac82 on Sunday, March 26, 2023 2:34 PM

ikar01
For some time I gave up on PT Boats because it seems the only one they ever put out is the 109. Didn't they put a 20mm up front on their last trip?

There have been short-run "cottage industry" kits out there.  And the "running" boat companies like Dumas have issued kits of different boats.

There's a bit of a complication, too, in that there are three different vessels in the "PT Boat" genere, and two major builders.  So, there's Elco, and there's Higgins as builders.  Then, you (very, very broadly) 770, 77, and 80 foot long boats.  Pretty much all of those used a trio of V-12 engines each driving its own prop, and either dual or triple rudders.

The deckhouses and gun tubs all varied at least some between them all.

In theater, some of the "Peter Tare" crews would "acquire" weapons that better reflected their need to engage barge and coaster traffic--targets not appropriate for expensive torpedoes (recall, too, the torpedoes wer still hand made, one at a time at the Torpedo Factory, and were not a "sure thing.")  So, a number of Army/War Department field guns would be "unofficially" added to the boats. 

The current wisdom, taken from contemporary written accounts, is that 109 had an M-3 37mm anti tank gun, wheels removed, and strapped to large lumber planks (circa 2x8 or 2x10).  This is what the RoG kit depicts, including the sheet metal gunshield (which was not very common in the various boat Squadrons, per photos and written accounts).  This was a 57 caliber barre using the 37x223 Rimmed AT round. 

There is some speculation that 109 might have had the M-1 37mm anti-aircraft gun--a 54 caliber barrel firing the 37x223SR round (these were not interchangable).

The 37mm AA gun was not very effective in the AA role, so they would be more "surplus" to needs than the AT gun, which was very effective aginst Japanese armor, trucks, bunkers and the like.

Later PTs would get a mount using the M-4 Autocannon an aircraft mounting (famously in the P-39) using the 37x145R round and a "horseshoe" magazine.

To further complicate things, most of the PTs did not much outlast the war.  So, for the TV shows, 60 & 70 foot "Crash Rescue Boats" (all built to AAF cointracts rather than Navy Department ones) were used as "stand ins" often with extensive remodeling.

The AAF boats were retained past 1948 and the creation of the USAF, so were available to use in movies and tv.  The hul forms wer simpler, but they were typically twin V-12 powered.

There's far more historical detail than that, too.

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Sunday, March 26, 2023 2:06 PM

Here's a few pics of the Vosper kit I built quite a few years back.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UE8Aofiud8tpZiv89

Stay Safe.

Jim Captain

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Sunday, March 26, 2023 8:56 AM

Hi!

       Surprisingly Crockett Marine Service had one that had the Rescue Boat Cabin on it! Now as far as models, Surprisingly the old tired model of the 109 that best exemplified the Hull shape except the very stem profile was the good old Lindberg kit.

        Yup, the old Lindberg kit was a pretty darn close rep for an Elco boat. Their A.F. rescue boat, Except for the Dropgate in the transome was correct on the stem profile, but was a wee bit narrow in the stern anyway. I liked the Lindberg boat for what I wanted it for, but never could come up with a better Higgins boat that Revell's offering from the fifties. With Deck Plank molding that looked like an old wooden RailRoad crossing! Now a Higgins in 1/72 from that era would be nice. Enough with the Elcos already, the 109 Notwithstanding!

          The early Airfix offering was the boat type that starred in Mchales Navy. Personally I know of no American boat with that profile except one that Chris-cCaft put forward, but never built for the armed services. Vosper in England did have a boat like that when the Navy here built our Elco style!

 

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Orlando, Florida
Posted by ikar01 on Sunday, March 26, 2023 8:42 AM

For some time I gave up on PT Boats because it seems the only one they ever put out is the 109.  Didn't they put a 20mm up front on their last trip?

Any way I started thinking, why not make it the 73 boat from the TV series?  Or I could make one into Lou Costello's private cruiser.  He disarmed it and did a few modifications to his PT Boat.

  • Member since
    March 2022
  • From: Twin cities, MN
Posted by missileman2000 on Sunday, March 26, 2023 8:15 AM

keavdog

Cool.  I like watching these smaller boat builds.  They are interesting craft compared to the monster battleships and carriers.

 

Ditto

I also like small working craft that fall below the radar for most folks.  I have a set of pics I took of a boat owned by a construction company for general waterfront construction  Not a large craft, but has a big crane on the aft deck.

 

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: brisbane australia
Posted by surfsup on Saturday, March 25, 2023 11:14 PM

Have started with some of the Sub-Assemblies. Me thinks me need some more Filler.....Cheers mark

 

If i was your wife, i'd poison your tea! If Iwas your husband, I would drink it! WINSTON CHURCHILL

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: brisbane australia
Posted by surfsup on Saturday, March 25, 2023 11:12 PM

CapnMac82

 

 
Tcoat
Wonder if there are other versions that require a different bow or drive plate.

 

Shouldn't be.  Bet it's related to the "how" the hull is moulded, that there was no way to not have some "traps" in the shape, so they needed a separate piece.

And, since it's Revell and not Tamiya . . .

 

 

Possibly but not sure why.....Cheers Mark

If i was your wife, i'd poison your tea! If Iwas your husband, I would drink it! WINSTON CHURCHILL

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: brisbane australia
Posted by surfsup on Saturday, March 25, 2023 11:11 PM

Tcoat

 

 
surfsup

Have started work on the Hull. I was surprised to see the Fit was not the best with their Parts Breakdown. Had to do a lot of Filling and sanding to get to this stage. More to come soon.....Cheers Mark

  

 

 

That is some very odd engineering in that parts breakdown. Wonder if there are other versions that require a different bow or drive plate. 

 

Not sure but it means extra work.....Cheers mark

If i was your wife, i'd poison your tea! If Iwas your husband, I would drink it! WINSTON CHURCHILL

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Formerly Bryan, now Arlington, Texas
Posted by CapnMac82 on Thursday, March 2, 2023 4:51 PM

Tcoat
Wonder if there are other versions that require a different bow or drive plate.

Shouldn't be.  Bet it's related to the "how" the hull is moulded, that there was no way to not have some "traps" in the shape, so they needed a separate piece.

And, since it's Revell and not Tamiya . . .

  • Member since
    December 2022
  • From: Canada
Posted by Tcoat on Thursday, March 2, 2023 10:53 AM

surfsup

Have started work on the Hull. I was surprised to see the Fit was not the best with their Parts Breakdown. Had to do a lot of Filling and sanding to get to this stage. More to come soon.....Cheers Mark

  

That is some very odd engineering in that parts breakdown. Wonder if there are other versions that require a different bow or drive plate. 

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: brisbane australia
Posted by surfsup on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 8:19 PM

Have started work on the Hull. I was surprised to see the Fit was not the best with their Parts Breakdown. Had to do a lot of Filling and sanding to get to this stage. More to come soon.....Cheers Mark

If i was your wife, i'd poison your tea! If Iwas your husband, I would drink it! WINSTON CHURCHILL

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: brisbane australia
Posted by surfsup on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 8:16 PM

Tcoat

I didn't relize that this was a new mold kit. Thought it was the poor , tired old blob from the 60s.Those sprues look sweet and I will have to grab one. 

Looking forward to the progress.

 

 

Thanks TC. The Kit was moulded in 2018.....Cheers Mark

If i was your wife, i'd poison your tea! If Iwas your husband, I would drink it! WINSTON CHURCHILL

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: brisbane australia
Posted by surfsup on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 8:15 PM

keavdog

Cool.  I like watching these smaller boat builds.  They are interesting craft compared to the monster battleships and carriers.

 

 

Thanks Mate. Should be a fun Build.....Cheers mark

If i was your wife, i'd poison your tea! If Iwas your husband, I would drink it! WINSTON CHURCHILL

  • Member since
    December 2022
  • From: Canada
Posted by Tcoat on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 8:50 AM

I didn't relize that this was a new mold kit. Thought it was the poor , tired old blob from the 60s.Those sprues look sweet and I will have to grab one. 

Looking forward to the progress.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 10:28 PM

Cool.  I like watching these smaller boat builds.  They are interesting craft compared to the monster battleships and carriers.

Thanks,

John

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: brisbane australia
Posted by surfsup on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 9:56 PM

JoeSMG

No rest for the wicked aye?

This looks like a fun build and it will give you a break from all the photo etch work.

Thanks for posting all these close up sprue shots, you basically just created an in box review. Smile

 

 

Thanks Mate. A Build without P/E will be something different for me....Cheers Mark

If i was your wife, i'd poison your tea! If Iwas your husband, I would drink it! WINSTON CHURCHILL

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: brisbane australia
Posted by surfsup on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 9:55 PM

fox

Wow! Looks like a great kit. I'll be watching.

Stay Safe.

Jim Captain

 

 

Thanks Jim. Should be fun.....Cheers Mark

If i was your wife, i'd poison your tea! If Iwas your husband, I would drink it! WINSTON CHURCHILL

  • Member since
    January 2021
Posted by JoeSMG on Monday, February 27, 2023 10:21 PM

No rest for the wicked aye?

This looks like a fun build and it will give you a break from all the photo etch work.

Thanks for posting all these close up sprue shots, you basically just created an in box review. Smile

- Joe the SMG

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Monday, February 27, 2023 9:32 PM

Wow! Looks like a great kit. I'll be watching.

Stay Safe.

Jim Captain

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: brisbane australia
Revell New Tool 1/72 PT 109
Posted by surfsup on Monday, February 27, 2023 5:54 PM

Thie is going to be my next Build. Should be fun.....Cheers Mark

If i was your wife, i'd poison your tea! If Iwas your husband, I would drink it! WINSTON CHURCHILL

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