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Topic: Revell 1/96th scale Higgins PT boat model reissued |
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Drew Cook
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Mar 8, 2008 - 3:17pm
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Frank Ryczek's post asking for info on Higgins PTs in the Aleutians reminds me -- I saw an ad in a recent modeling magazine for the Revell 1/96th scale model of a 78' Higgins PT.
Apparently, they're reissuing this old kit once again. It looks like the box top has retro art, and the kit was listed as "1/96 PT Boat SSP" (whatever 'SSP' means), and had a price of $10.99.
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newsnerd99
New Member
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Posted on: Mar 8, 2008 - 8:54pm
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Any idea on the time period depicted? Tubes or roll-off racks? Thanks...
Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net
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FRANK |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Mar 9, 2008 - 10:45am
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Ahoy there Drew-
Thanks for the tip on the re-issue of the 1/96 scale Revell Higgins PT's. I just gave the posted picture of the unit of PT's in the Alutians a good eyeballing and it would be a cinch to construct as a diorama. The scale of 1/96 is a much better scale than 1/72, but that's up for grabs and up to the modeler. I know of one company, H & R custom fittings, that there is a slew of 1/96 scale fittings available, but for PT's I'm not so sure!
I'll have to put that idea of an Alutians PT base diorama on the slow back burner for now Drew! My Tulagi diorama took me 10 years + and I'm about out of room here and the high commander (my wife) is already screaming, NO MORE! We'll have to compromise, someway, somehow! Thanks again Drew!
Frank Ryczek, Jr.
Modeler/Friend RON 10
HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!
YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY! |
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alross2
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Mar 9, 2008 - 11:59am
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Unfortunately, making this kit even reasonably accurate will require a lot of rework. It's not 1/96 as advertised, more like 1/101. The hull shape is way off, particularly below the waterline. While variously marketed as PT 207, 209, 211, and 212, the cockpit is that of a 450-485 boat. There is a raised structure in the cockpit area that just did not exist on any of the boats.
Al Ross
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FRANK |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Mar 10, 2008 - 8:48am
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Hi Al-
Mr. Ross, I really do thank you for your input on this re-issued kit by Revell of the Higgins PT's. I have used your drawings in the past on my 1/32 scale PT 196 roll off racks.
I'll never figure out "why" major model manufacture's produce models in such crazy scales to begin with. It just makes it a lot harder to produce an accurate scale looking model. Even someone with years of experience can get flustered with an off scale model let alone a fledgling modeler just earning his wings.
Thanks again for your thoughts Al!
Frank Ryczek, Jr.
Modeler/Friend RON 10
HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!
YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY! |
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Drew Cook
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Mar 10, 2008 - 1:15pm
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I agree with Al. It's not a very good kit, but as far as I know, it's always been the only game in town as far as a regular plastic model kit of a 78' Higgins PT is concerned.
I've always felt sorry for vets (and fans) of the 78' Higgins PT boats because of this. At least the vets and fans of the 80' Elco boat have had that good 1/72nd scale Revell PT 103-class model kit since '63, and many other versions of the 80' Elco, in different scales and incarnations, over the years.
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CJ Willis
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Mar 10, 2008 - 4:35pm
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Drew: Thanks for the tip on the Higgins model. I have bid on a couple of these kits on E-Bay but they went for more than what I wanted to pay. Hobbylinc.com has them listed on their website but out of stock available in April. I would like a Higgins model to show my grand kids what I rode. It does't have to be an exact replica.
C. J. Willis |
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CJ Willis
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 21, 2008 - 5:25pm
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Hi Drew: I finally got the Higgins model kit and have it assembled and painted (camouflage). I am certainly no modeler. I just wanted something of a facsimile of P.T. 242. It is not much of a kit but for $10.79 you can't expect much. As Al Ross said the cockpit and gun turrets are of the later model Higgins. However it does look something like a Higgins more so than an Elco. Thanks for letting me know it was available again.
C. J. Willis |
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Drew Cook
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 21, 2008 - 7:30pm
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You're welcome, C.J.
I think I'll probably pick up one of those kits myself, just for the halibut!
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FRANK |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 22, 2008 - 6:38am
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Hello everybody-
Yeah, I'm waiting for the re-issued Revell Higgins PT and chomping at the bit. I do remember my old neighbor and PT veteran Bruce Hansbury had the model built up on top of his TV for years. I'm almost possitive that the model had tubes.
It will be very interesting to see how many different versions the modelers on this board will come up with utilizing the kit as a starting point! Time will tell!
Thanks guys for letting me share this with you all!
Frank Ryczek, Jr.
Modeler/Friend RON 10 PT-169 " ZEBRA SNAFU "
HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!
YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY! |
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