Italeri PT-109 Torpedo Boat 1:35-WIP

The PT-596 etch set, I had in my collection so there are some common elements that will come in handy on the 109 in addition to the included PE.

Are you planning on a European scenario? The reason that I am asking is because the figures are not exactly dressed for a tropical clime and I don't think the USN had access to British 25 pounders in the Solomon Islands.

Actually the Pacific theatre. I should have mentioned, I'm using the basic torsos from the Tamiya 25 pounder kit as a basis for making JFK and the crew. I was watching a doco on these boats, and they were right down the navy food chain, so no neat uniforms or anything.

Good idea, I'm glad you clarified that. It makes perfectly good sense now.

No problems, thanks.

The "field gun" on the 109 was a US 37mm anti-tank gun.

Looking forward to following your WIP.  Thanks for posting it.

Hey Ray, look three posts above yours......

That field gun would look pretty mean on there. But like I said, I'm just going to make casts of the figure torsos from that kit.

In the Mediterranean there were modifications to the the PT boats because of certain factors. Torpedoes were started and slid off the side. I believe because of closer ranged the blank round flash could be seen from tube launches. The 37mm anti-tank gun found its way on to many PT boats in all theaters.  The USMC had lots of them, so did the Army. The gun would get damaged but could still fire. The issue was not a problem on the PT boat because it was in a fixed position. It had more "umph" than the 20mm cannon. The AP round could actually damage many of the enemy light units they came up against. I read an article about this once, I don't have a copy if I remember I'll look it up.  

Nice looking boat !

How long it is ?

Thanks!.I think it's about 55-60cm long. I don't have the exact length at the moment.

It's 1/35th scale. The class was 80 feet long. 80 * 12 = 960 inches, divide that by 35 and you get 27.42" or about two and a quarter feet.

I saw some thing about Italeri releasing PT109 crew figure set this year.

Don't know much more than that. How many, combat or relaxed  poses ??

If it's like the elco crew it might be a generic looking crew, which would be fine anyway.

That's looking great. Can't wait to see her finished. I've learned a lot about  preshading on this build also

thats shape'n up to be quite a model, and the detail is something else, even before you started the painting.

I have fallen completely in love with the twin 50's too, looks like the ones on "They Were Expendable" and this build makes me want to watch that tonight

Here are some updates, these pics are taken before the dullcoat is applied. I chipped and weathered the boat more like a WW2 tank. I felt as if I was doing too much but once the flat coat went on it blended together and looks quite good overall. Biggest problem I had was the 109 decals reacting to the dullcoat, which means I should have sealed them better with Future and let the dry longer. That's my guess anyway.

And this is post-dullcoat, with the rippled 109 and the square black decals on the cabin roofs. I also have some weird frosting on the sides the cabin which is going require some retouching.