| Author |
Topic: Italeri PT Boat Conversion Set kit - A closer look |
|
David Waples
TOP BOSS
|
  
Posted on: May 15, 2013 - 9:01pm
|
Hi all,
I just received one of Italeri's PT Boat Conversion kits. I posted some information about this earlier but tonight we'll take a closer look.
I'll start with the sprues as previously posted. I'm not going to spend a lot of time here.
Sprue A: Mostly new parts from Italeri including torpedoes, lift raft/float, and radar. Also new is the armor plate for the 20mm.
Sprue B: This sprue includes parts for the 20mm Oerlikon and 40mm Bofors.
Photo Etch Sprue. Here you'll find the sights for the 20mm and 40mm along with straps for the life raft / float, and Day Cabin joining brackets. More on the floats later...
Okay, let's look a little closer....
Life Raft / Float:
This shows the nice detail molded into the float. Italeri did a nice job molding in the metal brackets the go around the permitter. I'm including some photos of the prototype. You'll notice that they have ropes that thread through the brackets and have some sort of knott on the ends. The photo etch straps are nicely done but I don't think they are prototype. Somebody may correct me on this but I believe the straps should come up from both sides and a rope type affair draws them tight.
Also included are some very nice additions for your float including oars and a perfect little water barrel. Italeri provides brackets for the deck as well. Very nicely done!
Italeri provides two styles of radar masts but there are only parts to build one or the other. For example there's only one dome and hardware box for the base of the radar mast. Here is a close up of the two dome base options. Note that the bases on the sprues aren't aligned with the correct mast.
Here's a look at the mast. Note that the cross braces do not have the cut outs in them. If this bothers you I would recommend cutting out the cross braces and replacing them with a scratch build replacement. Also note that they modeled the ropes from the yard arms in plastic. I don't like this myself and will probably model this with scale rope. However the brackets attaching the yard arms to the mast are very nicely done. The modeler may also wish to consider adding electrical cables and mounts. They are different on different boats so look at your references. I've included an example below.
This shot shows the radar box for the base of the mast along with the brackets for supporting the mast in the raised and lowered position. All nicely modeled by Italeri.
This shot shows the different box mounting styles along with pads for the Day Cabin to support the mast and brackets.
Here's a nice shot of the supplied anchor. In some examples the anchor is secured to the deck. The anchor includes the deck brackets. Often these were just left on deck but also often stored below deck.
Let's talk Torpedoes! Italeri did a good job listening to criticism and doing their research to improve the Mk. XIII roll off torpedo. If you look at the on-line manual for this torpedo you can see that Italeri did their homework and really improved this part. Unfortunately there is only one supplied and there are no associated roll off racks which I think was a mistake. Below these I'm showing you the parts from the 596 kit. You can definitely see the difference. This is a good example of Italeri listening to us.
Here is the Mk. VIII Torpedo. Very nicely done but I'm not an expert on these. From what I can tell if you want to model a live warhead you would remove the nose ring. Beyond that I'm not sure. Check your references.
If you wish to model your boat coming out of the Elco factory this 20mm armor is a nice touch. Very nicely done and includes some nice photo etch straps for the gunner.
The 40mm and 20mm are exactly the same as the kit so nothing really noteworthy here. They are very nicely done. Even if you aren't adding one of these to your boat, some of the parts will help enhance what came with the kit.
Pros:
The idea of this kit is to provide a way to modify the 109 or the 596 kit into a number of other possibilities. These boats were all different so you can't have everything you might want. My favorite parts are the Radar options, float and accessories, improved Mk. XIII torpedo, and those lovely photo etch Day Cabin connecting plates.
Cons:
I wish there was more! I would have liked to see a full set of roll off torpedoes and racks. No racks are included in this kit. Instead of another pedestal mounted 20mm, I would have preferred to see another tripod and mounting plate.
Conclusion: This is a must have if you're modifying or wanting to improve your 109 or 596 kit. You might even want a couple of them! This is a good basis for super detailing your kit as well. Highly recommended!
If you have any questions please let me know.
Dave
David Waples |
Total Posts: 1676 | Joined:
Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Frank Andruss
TOP BOSS
|
 Posted on: May 16, 2013 - 4:14am
|
Dave, thanks so much for supplying us with these wonderful photo's. I guess my only question would be when do these Kits hit the market in the US, unless they have and I wasn't paying attention.
|
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined:
Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am | IP
Logged
|
|
David Waples
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: May 16, 2013 - 5:07am
|
They haven't yet. Italeri's US distributor, MRC, just announced them so I suspect they will be available in a few weeks.
David Waples |
Total Posts: 1676 | Joined:
Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm | IP
Logged
|
|
David Waples
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: May 16, 2013 - 5:13am
|
Just a note about the Mk. VIII torpedo. If you want to model it inside the tube it can be done easily. The torpedo is a little too large for the tube out of the box but very close. I would suggest wrapping a down with sandpaper and thinning out the tube interior. Take your time and test fit but it will work out great if you want to go that route.
Dave
David Waples |
Total Posts: 1676 | Joined:
Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Frank Andruss
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: May 16, 2013 - 9:00am
|
I think that MK-VIII would be great for a diorama project, showing the Base Force loading one of the torpedoes. You could have a few of the guys guiding it into the tube. That would be blast, oh STANLEY!!!!!!
|
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined:
Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am | IP
Logged
|
|
David Waples
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: May 16, 2013 - 6:53pm
|
I heard back from MRC today that it will be released before the end of the month. So it should start showing up by early June.
Dave
David Waples |
Total Posts: 1676 | Joined:
Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm | IP
Logged
|
|
 |
Jerry Beasley |
Advanced Member
|
Posted on: May 31, 2013 - 10:38am
|
Amazon is listing the conversion kit for $26.80 DELIVERED in the US. Their dealer shipping it is shown as Buy 4 Less UK but all the transaction goes through Amazon. I ordered it late last night and had a SHIPPED notice when I checked my email this morning - it will take up to 2 weeks to deliver but several of the US dealers I have spoken with are estimating $36 plus shipping, so this is a heck of a bargain. Let the parts trading begin.
Jerry Beasley |
Total Posts: 89 | Joined:
Jan 9, 2008 - 4:27pm | IP
Logged
|
|
TheBridge
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Jun 2, 2013 - 7:30pm
|
Such a great model kit! Someone loves their PTs!
|
Total Posts: 304 | Joined:
Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Rock1947a
New Member
|
Posted on: Jun 20, 2013 - 10:10am
|
In stock today at www.spruebros.com
$33.99 + shipping
http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/ita5617.htm
Regards,
Pete
P.S. I have no affiliatiion with Spruebros. Just a satisfied customer.
|
Total Posts: 24 | Joined:
Mar 1, 2007 - 10:56am | IP
Logged
|
|
Pat Hutchens
Full Member
|
Posted on: Jun 20, 2013 - 11:04am
|
Thanks for the heads-up, Pete. Jumped on it right after I saw your post. With Sprue Bros. outstanding service, I'll probably have it Monday at the latest.
Dick will probably have to come up with a "Trading Post" forum once these things hit the hands of all us PT kit fans!
Pat
|
Total Posts: 36 | Joined:
Nov 24, 2012 - 6:03am | IP
Logged
|
|
