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 Author  Topic: A review of Dick Washichek's ELCO DVD
Bob Steinbrunn

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Bob Steinbrunn   Send Email To Bob Steinbrunn Posted on: Feb 24, 2016 - 11:11am
BACKGROUND

I’m building BlueJacket Ship Crafters 80’ ELCO PT boat kit in 1/48 (designed by Al Ross) and, wanting to detail it to the best of my ability, I of course have a gazillion questions regarding the real thing. Al was kind enough to answer several, and I’ve posed several more on this forum. But forum members dislike the same old basic questions being asked repeatedly and they often wonder if the person asking has done any research at all on his own.

WHAT TO DO......WHAT TO DO?

I have some 53 books, magazines, and VHS tapes on PTs, but there are still nagging little questions in a model builder’s mind such as......what were the details of the smoke generator tie-down straps and hardware?....and so on. After some time on this forum I had the AHA! experience when I discovered the availability of the two ELCO DVDs put together by Dick Washichek. I decided to order #1 and did so through PT Boats, Inc. http://www.ptboats.org/30-0-05-plans-01.html . It arrived directly from Dick via USPS First Class DVD mailer in excellent condition. Boy, was I excited!

WHAT’S INSIDE?

Short answer: a treasure-trove of ELCO information and blueprints in pdf format.

Long answer: Inserting the disk causes a dialog box to pop up which asks you what you want to do. Select “Open folder to view files”.
You now have 3 files visible: (1) Read Me documents; (2) ELCO 77 Footer; and (3) ELCO 80 Footer.

Opening Read Me reveals four pdf files: Read Me Microfilm; ELCO Microfilm Collection Info; ELCO 80’ Drawing Group Index; and ELCO 80 Drawing List. These are easy to read and navigate through once you understand the drill. Initially I was surprised that there are no links between the pdf pages, that is, can you click “next” and advance through all 3500+ images. No, you can’t, but this would add complexity to an already mammoth project.

I soon found it’s a simple matter to go to the ELCO 80 Drawing List (comprised of some 44 pages listing all the illustrations by subject, i.e. “20mm Ammo Locker On Deck”, write down the film roll and drawing number (roll 2, scan 204 , then go to that particular folder, scroll down to 204, and open it. WHAM! A huge image appears. These are large-format blueprints that can be enlarged so you can read all the print and see all the details. Marvelous!

If this procedure seems complex, it’s really simple to navigate your way through it after a few clicks and some understanding occurs.

The main culprit behind this DVD is, of course, Dick Washichek, the CO of this forum, who scanned these images from microfilm held by Naval archives. Dick must have spent much of his lifetime scanning, if the vast amount of information on this disk is any indication.

His co-conspirator is Jeff Davidson http://www.pt103.com/index.html who compiled the 44-page ELCO 80 Drawing List. Another mammoth job.

The second DVD in the series was scanned by Dick from microfilm loaned by Al Ross, yet another co-conspirator.

SUMMATION

Is this DVD worth $30.00? I think if you’re a serious modeler, or the least bit inquisitive about “what’s this item?”.....and “where does this go?”.....you’ll want this disk. I’ve got mine....and you can’t have it!

The only downside to the DVD is.......I’m having trouble sleeping at night thinking about what a tremendous amount of work was involved in creating this labor of love.

Cheers!
--Bob

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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 24, 2016 - 1:37pm
The only downside to the DVD is.......I’m having trouble sleeping at night thinking about what a tremendous amount of work was involved in creating this labor of love.

You can send Dick and I on a 2 week all inclusive luxury trip to Hawaii if it will help you sleep.

I sure was happy when Dick produced his Elco 80 DVD. I occasionally update the list here: http://www.pt103.com/microfilm/Elco_80_Microfilm_List.txt. Last update was June 2015. I'm glad you're making good use of it Bob and look forward to seeing what you do with the drawings!



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TheBridge

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TheBridge  Posted on: Feb 24, 2016 - 2:48pm
Dick's ELCO PT DVD of blueprints is 'an essential' for those wanting to understand PTs and/or construct PT models.

This DVD was a GAME CHANGER for PTs!

My personal experience was when building my PT 157 model a few years ago now, I could not find ANYTHING in the way of linkage details for the silencing mufflers. I check everywhere and with everyone. I kept putting it off until finally it was the last detail to be completed. As a miracle it was at that moment the ELCO DVD of blueprints were announced and it answered all details. The model was now complete...accurately!

$30 is nothing compared to the time and expense Dick went through to put this together. His finding and converting some 3200+ microfilmed blueprints he found in the US National Archives (NARA) to individual PDF files provides information to the smallest of details that have now been assembled in Dick's own catalogue of PT drawings as well as Jeff Davidson's CAD recreations and now 3D pieces as well as PT modelers who are now achieving detailed accuracy like never before.

P.S. Thank you to Jeff Davidson for making the index of drawings which allows us to quickly find files we're looking for!

As always Dick, thank you!

Bridge


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Capt Speirs

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Capt Speirs  Posted on: Feb 24, 2016 - 10:19pm
I have been looking at getting the DVD and so I must ask, will this DVD help with the Italeri kit to get the correct deck curvature? The Drawings I have seen show the deck sloping down in the front and up in the rear and then the entire deck seems to curve again Port to Starboard. What I need is some kind of reference to the curve amount and where it starts and stops, I know it's not much but it is obvious. I want to make stencils for this purpose, kind of like NASCAR stencils verify the correct form. I have to thank Stu for making me aware of this with his detailed account of his Italeri build, now I can't go forward without correcting this, a touch OCD.


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Stuart Hurley

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Stuart Hurley  Posted on: Feb 25, 2016 - 12:43am
Capt,
I would advise not to touch the crown of the deck on the Italeri kit. You will cause fit problems with the charthouse and bridge wings. It all looks much better when you fit the deck anyway. Adding the S curve is easier but beware the fit problems you cause by rounding down the bow- you are making the hull narrower so causing a bigger overhang under the deck edge. If you add the kick up at the stern you have to mount the mufflers and pushrods higher to keep the assemblies the correct distance from the deck edge. It's all a can of worms. There are plenty of other cans you can open too.. such as the dimensional errors with the position of the decklights, daycabin stagger etc.
I would suggest getting Jeff Davidsons' corrected throttle pushrod cover as the kit item is a carry over from the 596 kit and is incorrect for early boats.


Best Regards,
Stu.





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Daniele Klay

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Daniele Klay  Posted on: Feb 25, 2016 - 4:50am
Capt, Stu is giving you a vise advice about fixing the deck crown,should you want to do this anyway you'll find all necessary information on PT103.com. Getting the DVD for this purpose only would be exagerated. I would suggest you to get it anyway for all other detail issues of the kit; it is absolutely essential reference for a serious build.THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT WHO IS BUILDING WITHOUT IT IS DOING NOT SO SERIOUS BUSINESS .
Good luck for your project

Daniele Kläy

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Stuart Hurley

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Stuart Hurley  Posted on: Feb 25, 2016 - 7:31am


Best Regards,
Stu.





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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 25, 2016 - 8:49am
Hey Capt, welcome!

The deck is straight along the coamings so you don't have to worry about that part. Forward of the chart house it gradually curves down to end up parallel with the water line for the 1st 3 frames according to the offset table. This is at the sheer (deck / side joint), the deck camber makes the deck at the center line rise up a bit at the bow.

Aft of the engine hatch, the deck curves up to almost parallel with the water line.

This probably explains it better: http://www.pt103.com/images/PT_Boat_Elco_103_Class_Hull_Profile_Stitched.jpg.

Here are the various cambers if you want to torture yourself:D

Deck: 4.5 in 21' according to Elco drawing 3086, Type Sections, and Deck Framing drawings. The sheer varied slightly to match the designed sheer line. Radius = 1766.25.
Chart house roof: 3.5 in 8' 3 according to Elco drawing 3231, Construction Of Bridge And Chart Room Trunk. Radius = 351.786.
Day room roof: 3.5 in 8' 3 according to Elco drawing 3230, Construction Of Cabin Trunk. Radius = 351.786.
Engine hatch: 2 in 8' according to Elco drawing 3086, Type Sections. Radius = 577.

In addition to observations of the Italeri 109 kit by David Waples and Stu Hurley, this page has some drawings on it Dick Washichek kindly let me post from his DVD: http://www.pt103.com/Italeri_PT109_Kit.html.

Have fun with your build!



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Capt Speirs

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Capt Speirs  Posted on: Feb 25, 2016 - 5:59pm
Thanks everyone for the quick replies. I did calculate in my mind that the hull's Port to Starboard curve would be potentially very problematic. So I am going to stick with the Bow and Stern only.

Stu, I already ordered all the 3D printed parts from Jeff. I also found the .50 cal belts and helmets. I am going to scour the pics of the PT Boats and see what else can be found on deck to give it more of the lived in look.


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Bob Steinbrunn

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Bob Steinbrunn   Send Email To Bob Steinbrunn Posted on: Feb 26, 2016 - 12:23pm
Quote:

You can send Dick and I on a 2 week all inclusive luxury trip to Hawaii if it will help you sleep.

I sure was happy when Dick produced his Elco 80 DVD. I occasionally update the list here: http://www.pt103.com/microfilm/Elco_80_Microfilm_List.txt. Last update was June 2015. I'm glad you're making good use of it Bob and look forward to seeing what you do with the drawings!




Okay Jeff, the tickets are in the mail for a two-week all expense-paid vacation for both you and Dick at Disney's Aulani Resort on Oahu! No....really!


I've taken advantage of your link to update the ECLO 80 Microfilm Drawing List, thank you very much. You've done quite a bit of work in the last four and a half years since the DVD was first created.

I've found it expedient to copy your list, paste it on a Word.doc, use a 10-point font size, then my HP printer allows two pages of print per side. By selecting duplex printing (both sides: = 4 pages of print per sheet) I have your entire list on only 14 sheets of printer paper. Now it's even easier to have the list in front of me while opening up the scans to see what I want. Very quick and easy.

You two should be very proud of what you've created, and many of us will put this to good use.

Cheers!
--Bob

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