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Topic: PT Gunboats (PT59, 60, & 61) Elco 77 foot |
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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 Posted on: Apr 18, 2017 - 12:13pm
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Lew;
Jeff and I have been talking about this the last few days, if their is this close up of Lenny Thom , there must be more from that day, what photographer goes on a boat and just takes one photo? Answer.....NONE!
They must be somewhere. Keep digging!
take care,
TED
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Lew Zee
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Apr 18, 2017 - 6:40pm
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Ted,
I'm not sure the starboard side shield is uncovered. Look at the divider in the center that runs aft ward from the joint between both sides. It is higher than the port side and even with the starboard side front shield. I would think this is to support the top starboard shield. I'm sure the radar set is not waterproof like today's electronics.
Yes, it would be great to find more photos from whoever took that one.
Lew
Lew Zee |
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Lew Zee
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Posted on: Apr 21, 2017 - 11:45pm
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Jerry,
Happen to find the Peqout SO radar set. I used the artwork on the USS Pequot website which was a USCG cable laying ship. The file name had Pequot on it and had nothing to do with the radar set's manufacturer. The photo was identified as SO Search Radar Accessory Control and Indicator Unit - (Catalogue of Naval Electronic Equipment - April 1946).
Almost done with the bridge armor for the 61 boat and should have it up in a day or two.
Lew
Lew Zee |
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Apr 22, 2017 - 12:32am
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Hello Lew,
I looked at the USS Pequot Cable Laying ship website and it is very interesting! I saw the original photo you took the print from for your model. I believe you have the relative sizes wrong of those radar and Radios shown. The middle radio appears to be a Collins TCS Transmitter (which is exactly what they used on all PT Boats) and the Radar you have shown is actually an SO3 (not an SOA) complete with the ACU module on top of the PPI Unit. I took photos of the similar units installed on board PT 658 inside the charthouse and you can see they look identical. The TCS Radios on your model are much too large in comparison to the double stacked Radar Console. The Radar Console in reality is almost double their height!. But then again, I don't think the ACU console would have actually been there at all on the PT59 or 60 installed up on the helm, especially since it was a part of a radar set that came out towards the end of the war. (The SO3) I also do not think it would have been able to fit behind the windscreen since it was so tall.
I would venture to guess the actual configuration of the radar on the PT59 would have been only the lower console, (the one with the round PPI Scope on it). Here are some photos for you to peruse and make your own conclusions. I know this is splitting hairs, (or counting rivets!) but I thought you would be interested at any rate.
Hope this helps!
Jerry
SO3 Radar PPI Console (bottom) and ACU Console (top)
Collins TCS Radio XMTR and RCVR (This is a TCS13 model)
PT631 Builders photos shows interior of Charthouse where you can see both radio and radar
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
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Lew Zee
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Apr 22, 2017 - 7:45pm
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Jerry,
As Ted mentioned earlier, the radar set was on the bridge behind the armored windscreen on the 59 boat. The windscreen on the 60 boat (flat plates) is different from the 59 (curved corners plates). The assumption is that the 60 & 61 are probably the same. The 59 was modified in early October 1943 and it looks like some time passed (two weeks?) before the 60 & 61 were completed. As the 60 has the raised area on the starboard side my guess is that something tall was behind it. So if the 59 had the radar set there why not the 60 & 61?
The first image below is the real 60 boat. Second image is my 61, and the third image is what I think the other side of the bridge would look like. I know I am taking a guess here, but I need something on the model.
 ,  , 
A few more tweaks on the superstructure then I will finish the six dual 50 BMG side guns. I also need to lower the aft 40mm Bofors, then make some more crew members. Then I will finally be done.
Lew
Lew Zee |
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Lew Zee
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Posted on: Apr 24, 2017 - 3:28pm
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Hi everyone...
My PT-61 was on local TV (WFLA - Tampa Bay area) today. If you are interested in it the link is: http://wfla.com/2017/04/24/suncoast-scale-model-boat-club/ The video of the Suncoast Scale Model Boat Club is under six minutes long and the 61 is about half way through. Keep in mind that this was taken on March 21 so it doesn't include the corrections, mods and finishing I have been working on.
Hope you enjoy it.
Lew
Lew Zee |
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Lew Zee
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Posted on: Apr 29, 2017 - 7:37pm
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According to the Al Ross drawing of "PT-61 Oct 43" there was no horn or spotlight. This seems to be confirmed with the Photo of the PT-60's bridge. Does any know if the gunboats carried a portable spotlight, and if so, what did it look like? Was there a horn either relocated or some sort of a portable audio signal device?
Lew
Lew Zee |
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Apr 30, 2017 - 1:00am
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Nice video Lew! And good idea keeping speed boats out. I've seen some hairy wrecks both at races and at the pond. Although the worst hit I ever got was going over a turtle I didn't see. It twisted my shaft, strut, and rudder into a pretzel.
Is there a speed limit? I've seen some PT models that were downright fast, like Pats.
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Lew Zee
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Apr 30, 2017 - 6:54am
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Jeff,
We have no speed limit. We have some fast boats like cabin cruisers, barrel-backs, etc., but all scale. Some of the 1/35 scale pT boats go pretty good too. My 1/20 scale PT-61 as a gunboat has fairly good speed but no as much as the traditional PT Boat. I built it a little too heavy. However, the PT Gunboats (59 -61) were slower than before the mods as Ken Prescott noted in his book.
Every once in a while a rouge boater will go to the pond and toss in their speed boat. Don't know which is worse, the guy that goes a high speed (over 40) or the guy that brings their Harbor Freight special which has no speed control nor a skilled operator. What we do is bring our boats to the shore and wait for their 10 minutes run out. Several of us (including me) have been hit - no sinking yet.
Lew
(Still looking for answers on the light and horn.)
Lew Zee |
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 3, 2017 - 9:13am
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Lew;
Looks good!
Now all you need to do is make some Ray Ban sunglasses for your Lenny Thom figure. My suggestion: Go to Micheal's or your local equivalent and get a roll of Panacea colored floral wire 26 gauge. Once you shape it use Model Master Clear parts cement & windows maker for the lenses. One they are dry, use some of Tamiya X-25 Clear green.
Take care,
TED
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