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Topic: Sort of review of Merit PT Boat in 1/48 |
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David Waples
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 10, 2014 - 9:12pm
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I finally got a chance to put eyes on the Merit 1/48 PT kit at IPMS this year. As I looked at it what caught my eye right away was the edge decking. It's exactly the same as the Italeri kit to a fault. The most obvious part being at the stern. They even duplicated the round screw covers from the Italeri kit. The reason that's amusing is that the Merit deck does not screw to the hull. Others have pointed out other duplications.
That said I would not say it's a bad kit. It looks like it would build up very nice. But for those who say it's not a copy of the Italeri kit, guess again. Let your conscience be your guide.
Dave
David Waples |
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Jeff D
Moderator
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 Posted on: Aug 11, 2014 - 5:58am
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That's funny David. Even the screw bosses eh... 
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Tracy White
New Member
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Posted on: Aug 11, 2014 - 9:10am
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For what it's worth, Garth was told by Merit that it was not a copy of the Italeri kit because Merit was told by the designer that they hadn't copied the Italeri kit.
Obviously, they know otherwise now 
Tracy White
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Frank Andruss
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 11, 2014 - 12:24pm
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Just curious I know it is very easy to obtain 1:35 figures, almost impossible to find Navy figures in 1:72. I wonder how easy it will be to obtain figures in 1:48, should you wish to make a Diorama................
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David Waples
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 11, 2014 - 7:29pm
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Only more difficult I'm afraid Frank. 1/48 is mostly aircraft models with the exception of some armor. You may be able to convert some figures such as Africa Corp. They had a bunch of half naked troops running around there too. Maybe Merit will release some figures too.
Dave
David Waples |
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Tracy White
New Member
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Posted on: Aug 12, 2014 - 1:27pm
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Merit is hoping to, but there's a lot going on, from what I understand, and it's not going to be soon (probably about the same time as the next PT boat release, would be my guess). I've seen Merit release separate detail sets (1/350th pre-painted aircraft is the first that comes to mind) so I'm pretty sure they're interested.
Tracy White
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Tracy White
New Member
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Posted on: Sep 10, 2014 - 8:00pm
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b.) The kit deck has a raised lip simulating the margin plank around its perimeter; on the real boat the margin plank‚s top was flush with the top of the decking.
Was that a feature discontinued right before 596? I was just looking over photos of the 588 boat trying to properly locate the dingy on the day cabin (instructions are vague and there's no positive location marks or pins) and noticed that there is a thin raised strip around the perimeter of most of that boat. Merit's isn't 100% correct compared to 588, but there is definitely a raised piece of some sort, clear as day.
Tracy White
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Stuart Hurley
MASTER
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Posted on: Sep 11, 2014 - 8:29am
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Tracy,
I reckon I can see it on 596. I have seen another photo of an unidentified late boat with the raised lip and rivets.
Best Regards,
Stu.
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Sep 11, 2014 - 8:46am
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According to a drawing for the plywood decked boats 577-624 the covering board stuck up a bit farther than the plywood decking (although both are 9/16) and was held down with carriage type bolts. I'd guess a few repaintings would make the seam less obvious (thanks to Dick Washichek for the drawing):
EDIT: the covering board is 11/16" on all boats, the same as the 2 layers of deck planks. So it sticks up about 1/8" on plywood decked boats.
Some other notes on the drawings:
Glue & screw 5/16 plywood doublers to deck under all bitts, cleats, and around hatches.
Covering board planed flush with deck to take all doublers.
Drawings for the other plywood decked boats PT 486 & 498-545 show a similar construction.
It looks like the Italeri 596 kit had it somewhat right, not the Merit kit which is an obvious ripoff of it.
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Frank Andruss |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Sep 11, 2014 - 3:25pm
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I am not sure if there is any difference in Kits ( probably not ) but I was on Ebay the other night and I saw not only the Merit Kit but the Trumpeter Kit as well. Does anyone know if this is just the same Kit stamped with the Trumpeter name.
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