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The PT Boat Forum ª PT Boats of WWII ª  PT Boats - General

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 Author  Topic: REVELL'S REISSUED HIGGIN'S PT 212
  FRANK

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of FRANK  Posted on: Feb 15, 2009 - 11:26am
Hello everyone-

Yesterday, Feb.14th at the University of North Florida I attended a local IPMS (Internation Plastic Modelers Society) model contest sponsored by a local chapter of the IPMS in Orange Park/ Jacksonville Florida. I entered a portion of my Tulagi diorama and walked off with "PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD" for my Tulagi sickbay addition. I was overwhelmed, to say the least! I also took a second and third in Nautical Sailing Vessels!

There were quite a number of vendors present and I found a re-issued Revell PT-212 Higgin's model. When I opened the box I was greatly disappointed with what was inside. I was hoping that Revell would do an update on this model when it was re-issued in 2008.

As it turns out this model was first produced in 1960 as the underside of the top deck still has the original engraving on it. I was very disappointed to find that many of the deck pieces are molded into the one piece deck, The armament looks very wrong as do the torpedo rack and the torpedoes themselves. The torpedoes in the kit are are the worst examples and excuses I have ever seen. I'm looking at a lot of rework on this model to bring it up to snuff!

Here's my question for all my fellow modeler's out there! Just how accurate is this here model of Revell's Higgin's PT boat. I plan on using it on my local model club's pet project of Dutch Harbor in the Aleutians! I need to hear from all of you who have ever built this model and what changes you have made and up grades to the model. I am aware of White Ensign's fittings and I am looking at them in the long run.

And most importantly here, is this model 1/72nd scale??? There is no indication of the scale of this model anywhere on the box or on the plans.
I need a good deck plan for the Higgins in the Aleutians. Can anyone help me out?

I'd be really grateful!

Frank Ryczek, Jr.
Modeler/Friend RON-10 PT-169 " ZEBRA SNAFU "

HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!

YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY!

Total Posts: 349 | Joined: Oct 7, 2007 - 2:09pm | IP Logged

  TED WALTHER

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TED WALTHER   Send Email To TED WALTHER Posted on: Feb 15, 2009 - 1:43pm
Frank;
That model is something like 1/96th scale, some articles call it 1/87th scale, another cals it 1/100th. I believe it is close to 1/96th. it also resembles 450 series boats, not 200 series. The only way this model will look like anything is by extensive modification, and if you put two or three of them in a diorama. In true 1950's model fashion, I don't think there is another model out there to go with it, except the USS Constitution model. Hey there is a unusual idea! 450 series PT's in Boston waterfront diorama.
Take care,
TED


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alross2

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of alross2   Send Email To alross2 Posted on: Feb 15, 2009 - 2:07pm
The hull shape is wrong, the deck is wrong, the superstructure is wrong, and the weapons fit is wrong. The scale is 1/104. Aside from that.... :-}

Al Ross


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  FRANK

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of FRANK  Posted on: Feb 15, 2009 - 6:27pm
Thank you Mr. Walters and Mr. Ross-

Yep, I was afraid to hear that. The more I look at that model the more I am disgusted with Revell.

Thank you Al for the heads up on the proper scale of this thing- that's what it is a THING!!

Ted, I have built several models of Revell's Constitution and I agree with you that there are way too many mistakes to even begin here. So with that I won't even start. And throw away those so called DETAILED rigging plans for the Constitution- they are all backwards!

There are several other Revell models that I built that come to mind! How about the the hulls from the Cutty Sark and Thermopolae and then the gaul to mold the same hull in white and call it a Portugese cadet training ship. Where does it end???

They did the same thing with the CSS Alabama and the USS Kearsage hulls!

But the "BEST OF THE WORSE" is the Monogram USS United States frigate model. It's actually the USS Constitution with a small difference! An inclosed decal that reads USS UNITED STATES that goes on the stand. The Monogram kits are both the exact same kit in different boxes!!! I don't know how they get away with this stuff!

Thanks for letting me vent my steam valve guys!

Frank Ryczek, Jr.
Modeler/Friend RON-10 PT-169 " ZEBRA SNAFU "

HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!

YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY!

Total Posts: 349 | Joined: Oct 7, 2007 - 2:09pm | IP Logged

Jeff D

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jeff D   Send Email To Jeff D Posted on: Feb 16, 2009 - 2:56am
Congratulations Frank, impressive win for an impressive display! I can't remember ever seeing a diorama the scale yours is and the Peoples Choice Award says how well it's done. I wouldn't be surprised to see it in the Smithsonian one day.

Revell's website "new releases" page looks to be mostly old stuff. I wonder how many Wolfman dioramas they still sell. I did get a kick out of seeing some of their old kits like the Tijauna Taxi though. Ir brought memories of Rat Fink to mind.



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TGConnelly

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TGConnelly   Send Email To TGConnelly Posted on: Feb 16, 2009 - 8:23am
Yes Frank, Congratulations ......

Yes, the Revell Higgins is ALL wrong and all that, but what we all need to remember what era and when the kit was first produced. Back then, plastic models were meant to be no better than toys.

I've had Alex Johnson build that kit for me, back in 2000 - sure - like Dr. Ross has said, everything about that kit is wrong and inaccurate. But, in the hands of a skilled modeler, it can be made into a 'respectable' facsimile of a Higgins ... certainly nothing that'd win BEST IN SHOW - but I'm proud to have it on my shelf ... that is UNTIL someone makes a better kit of a Higgins ...

Alex is currently redoing the model using 1:96 fittings and his own Photo-Etched stuff ... and I'm sure that it will look a lot better than one built straight from the box.

Yes, it is an awful kit .......... but remember its age and inception date ..........

Garth


Total Posts: 287 | Joined: Dec 19, 2010 - 11:45pm | IP Logged

  FRANK

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of FRANK  Posted on: Feb 16, 2009 - 8:47am
Ahoy there Jeff and Garth-

Many thanks again for the kind words regarding my Tulagi diorama- my baby! I'll still be tweaking it out for next year's show when I'll be up against the Ace of Ace's /Best of the Best models.

Right now I don't know if I should keep this Higgin's model in my inventory or ruturn it or just try to hash it out! Taking into account all that IS WRONG with the Revell Higgin's kit, there still may be hope at the end of the tunnel- or is that an oncoming freighttrain??

Thank to everyone who responded to my posting! You guys are the absolute best and so is this here message board and all who keep it going!

Frank Ryczek, Jr.
Modeler/Friend RON-10 PT-169 " Zebra SNAFU "

HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!

YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY!

Total Posts: 349 | Joined: Oct 7, 2007 - 2:09pm | IP Logged

TGConnelly

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TGConnelly   Send Email To TGConnelly Posted on: Feb 16, 2009 - 11:41am
Try it. Who knows? Maybe you could turn it into an award winner ...

Just try it.


Total Posts: 287 | Joined: Dec 19, 2010 - 11:45pm | IP Logged

  FRANK

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of FRANK  Posted on: Feb 16, 2009 - 11:47am
Garth-

Thanks for the shot in the arm concerning the Revell Higgin's PT-212!
I needed that! Yeah, I will give 'er a shot like you said and see what happens!
Thanks for the encouragement!

Frank Ryczek, Jr.
Modeler/Friend RON-10 PT-169 " Zebra SNAFU "


HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!

YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY!

Total Posts: 349 | Joined: Oct 7, 2007 - 2:09pm | IP Logged

PeterTareBuilder

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Feb 16, 2009 - 12:32pm
Shalom Frank.

Back in the day when these kits were being designed the draftsmen and the engineers drank wine throughout the day. These are the models that wwere designed just before closing time. ;<) VBG

If you were able to correct the myriad faults in the 1/32 scale Lindberg PT boat models then a little bitty thing like this Higgins should be a piece of cake. I bought one of those a year or two ago. The figures in it are closer to 1/72 than they are to the box scale of that kit. Mine is still sitting in the stash of "To Do Later" models.

Cheers from Peter

"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!"

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