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Topic: Good news for P.T. Boat modelers |
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robtmelvin
New Member
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Posted on: Feb 23, 2012 - 9:36am
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Based on some information I've seen over on Modelwarships.com and Steel Navy's message board, it appears that Italieri is about to give us a 103 Class Elco 80' in 1/35. From the box art work they are marketing it as P.T. 109, but it should be a great starting point for anybodys dream mid-war barge buster of the 103 Class. I'm currently working on their P.T. 596 (a great kit, by the way) and you can tell from the deadlight placement that they molded the deck with a 103 Class boat in the future in mind. From the photos I've seen, they have properly reworked the topsides detail so it isn't just the 596 with torpedo tubes and 103 class armament. If you want to see a shots from the Nuremberg Toy Show, here is the link: http://www.whiteensignmodels.com/brochure/index.htm
Bob
Currently building: P.T. 596 (Italieri 1/35); and U.S.S. Laffey (Dragon 1/350). |
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Feb 23, 2012 - 11:46am
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I didn't see any links on the White Ensign page, but I loved this quote:
Enlisted men are stupid, but very cunning and deceitful and bear considerable watching. - U.S. Marine Corps Officers Manual, 1894
Here's Italeri's Flickr page of photos from the toy fair, PT 109 images are in the 2nd row down:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/italeri/sets/72157629331162569/
I hope it's not the finished product, I can see some errors in this photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/italeri/6886689167/in/set-72157629331162569/lightbox/
A big error is the port bridge wall going up to the top of the windshield. The port wing may also be too high? The starboard wall looks funky too.
The port bridge grab rail should be curved and longer.
The aft turret canvas shield is straight sided.
Aft turret step should be under the aft day room window on the earlier boats.
The chart house nav lights appear flat on top and bottom.
The forward turret railing is missing a section that keeps the gunner from shooting up the captain.
Chart house forward windows had a rather pronounced frame.
Hopefully it's just a prototype.
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TED WALTHER
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 23, 2012 - 11:46am
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All;
Here are two more, since I can't find the ones Rob is talking about.
http://militarymodels.co.nz/tag/italeri-5613-135-kennedys-pt-109-photos/
take care,
TED
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Feb 23, 2012 - 12:02pm
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For comparison, here's what the port wall should look like:
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Drew Cook
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 23, 2012 - 12:10pm
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Great news. We asked them for it, and here it comes.
I didn't drop the big bucks for Italeri's late-war PT 596, but I'm surely considering it for this baby.
I see a few minor mistakes, too (the depth charges are still too far forward of the forward tubes -- but almost everyone who makes a 109 places them there), but considering the only other 103-class kit in this scale is the Lindberg one... As Frank said, this may be just a prototype build.
Maybe Italeri will make another set of crew figures like they did for the 596, with a couple resembling JFK and Lenny Thom (or whomever you want them to represent -- the 109's last skipper and exec weren't the only PT men who wore Army/Marine fatigue caps or beards).
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 23, 2012 - 1:03pm
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This is exciting News and opens the door for some exciting builds. I do see plenty of errors in the boat, but this could be a prototype. I am in hopes that someone might be able to contact them about the errors before final assembly heads out to the public, but if not, what is being pointed out is not earth shattering, and those who build these boats like Stan and others, can make any adjustments needed. The 20mm Cannon is high enough for Lurch from "The Addams Family" to fire the thing. Too bad we do not have any inside view of the Helm area to look at.
I often wonder who works on these PT BOAT projects and who is the tech engineer, that does not pick up on these mistakes. Prototype photo's should go out to guys who know PT Boats for advise before these things get to final stages of assembly. Too bad a group of us from this board could not contact Italeri as tech advisers for these PT Boat projects. I still can't wait to make a purchase, or maybe two of them.
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TheBridge
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 23, 2012 - 4:56pm
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Jeff - every time I see your drawings I am just in awe!!
Bridge
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Feb 23, 2012 - 5:23pm
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Bridge, thanks but I'm not the one that made physical pieces a few fingerprint ridges wide. Your model rocks.
Hope nobody tells us to get a room.
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David Waples
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 23, 2012 - 8:08pm
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Looking at the photos this kit needs a fair amount of work. Nothing that looks like a deal killer. I'm sure they're just maximizing the use of the 596 parts as best they can. I can tell you after working on the torpedo tube ignitors (or whatever the correct term is for those things) they need a lot of work! I'll be posting my work on those soon.
Hard to say what they used for a reference. But Al and Jeff, they could sure use the benefit of your experience and references. Or... you could organize some really great after market sets.
I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of this offering.
Dave
David Waples |
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Michael Snodgrass
Full Member
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Posted on: Feb 24, 2012 - 7:25am
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I would purchase an early model 80 footer given a reasonable price. The Late model elco is really of no interest to me! It screws up the fine lines of the thorougbred! Being that there may be some mods that would have to be done is slightly disapointing but par for the course considering all the mods necessary on so many other models of PT boats offered thru the years!
Dam the torpedoes...full speed ahead! |
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