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 Author  Topic: Italeri PT-109 review is posted!
Drew Cook

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Drew Cook  Posted on: Dec 5, 2012 - 11:04am
Peter Tare Builder,

Points well taken, but I was looking at it from an average modeler's perspective, not one highly experienced in filling, sanding, painting or kit-bashing. I realize, of course that the Italeri kit is specifically aimed at exactly those higher-end modelers who are skilled in all such aspects of the hobby.

As far as a separate searchlight part, of course it can be removed from the pole, but I just thought it would have been more logical to make a seperate part with a socket in the U-bracket mount, so the searchlight-less pole mount could be displayed with it's mounting pin intact (as seen in so many vintage photos), and also so the searchlight could be easily mounted on the cockpit pintle arm, if so desired.

I'm certainly looking forward to seeing your (as well as others on the Message Board) completed version of this kit!


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David Waples

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of David Waples  Posted on: Dec 5, 2012 - 9:14pm


Hi Drew,
Let me go through your observations one at a time. First though keep in mind that Italeri completely changed what they were doing when we showed up with all the details, and they had a deadline to meet. I'm sure they had to make compromises and make some assumptions on what modelers would like in the kit. With that said...

1) I would have to defer to Italeri as to their design process. I'm sure they did it for a reason and Peter is probably right.

2) Yes, the guns are missing their flash hiders. I've written Piotr at Master Model and suggested that he make a set of .50 cal barrels with flash hiders. I'm thinking that they can be scratched together easily enough, but they would look better in brass. I've not heard back from them but I'll try again.

3) Italeri didn't include the raft they used in the 596 kit because that would not be correct. They have told me that they intend to include this in a future release. Not sure if that's in a parts kit or a complete boat. Time will tell.

4) They provided two styles of torpedo tube covers. My recommendation would be if you don't want the covers remove the detail. I think it would be easiest to remove the detail that has the three screws rather than the plate and wire. You have to admit the detail on the plate and wire is amazing.

5) If you read the instructions the training rods are designed to be bent. You can make them in any combination you like.

6) I think you have the slight up angle on the stern section. If you look at the actual boats it's hardly noticeable. It seems more pronounced to me on some of the drawings I have. You'll have to decide if you want to introduce the slight upward flare on the stern.

7) I don't like the numbers provided. Italeri told me that they wanted to use the numbers as they would have appeared coming out of the factory. In reality these were probably hand painted much like I've seen on WWII aircraft in the pacific. I would recommend getting some dry transfer letters and using those instead of the kit decals. Check your model railroad store or internet provider for those.

8) As far as the search light goes, I'm thinking with a little surgery you could move the light to the other mount.

9) I have no idea what future releases will bring. We've suggested a parts kit with lots of goodies like 40mm, life rafts, SO Radar, etc., but not sure if they will do that or offer up a late war version of a 103 class boat. It will be up to their marketing department to decide.

Hope that helps.
Dave

David Waples

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  SteveS156

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Dec 6, 2012 - 6:55am
David, thank you so much for your detailed review and clarifing advice/instructions on this post. My kit is due to arrivethis evening and I can't wait after viewing the photos in your review.I am sure I will have lots of questions for you. Now, any advise as to how I can convince my wife that I need a second for PT 156? I hope Italieri plans those additional armament kits and the SO radar! I am awfully tempted to rob parts from my unbuilt PT596!

SteveS156

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TED WALTHER

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TED WALTHER   Send Email To TED WALTHER Posted on: Dec 6, 2012 - 7:10am
Steve;
You can always scratch build one. All you need is some balsa, wire, and styrene.
Take care,
TED


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Pat Hutchens

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Pat Hutchens  Posted on: Dec 10, 2012 - 11:57am
Steve, I've already robbed parts from my PT 596 kit. I swapped out the toe rails because I didn't want to add the depth charges to the 109 kit. That would be something for Italeri to consider for an update set, maybe about six depth charges. Those could be used on either kit to change things up.

Pat


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Frank J Andruss Sr

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank J Andruss Sr   Send Email To Frank J Andruss Sr Posted on: Dec 10, 2012 - 12:38pm
Dave

With so many after market parts available in 1/35 scale, have you complied a list of what items Italeri should consider making for the 103 class boat. Here is what I was thinking about.

1. SO Radar Mast/Dome
2. Depth Charges and Racks
3. MK-13 Torpedoes and Racks
4. Life Raft with Life saving gear inside
5. First style 103 class Mast
6. Crew figures both State-side and War Zone
7. 20mm mounts and Cannon
8. 40 MM Bofors
9. 37 MM Auto Cannon
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Just a quick list. I know they may not produce everything on the list, but they might produce some.


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Drew Cook

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Drew Cook  Posted on: Dec 10, 2012 - 2:05pm
-- Mark VIII torpedoes (at least their warhead noses and propeller-and-vanes-tails)!

-- An SCR-517A "beehive" radar dome setup (platform and support legs).

-- A decal sheet of properly-sized (charthouse, port cockpit bulkhead, starboard turret, 20mm pedestal) naval boat numbers -- shaded, unshaded, black, rounded, colored, etc.).

-- A "combat" crew figure set with turret gunners, torpedomen w/mallets, 20mm gunner and assistant gunner/loader, etc.


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PeterTareBuilder2

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of PeterTareBuilder2  Posted on: Dec 10, 2012 - 4:08pm
Quote:

Dave

With so many after market parts available in 1/35 scale, have you complied a list of what items Italeri should consider making for the 103 class boat. Here is what I was thinking about.

1. SO Radar Mast/Dome
2. Depth Charges and Racks
3. MK-13 Torpedoes and Racks
4. Life Raft with Life saving gear inside
5. First style 103 class Mast
6. Crew figures both State-side and War Zone
7. 20mm mounts and Cannon
8. 40 MM Bofors
9. 37 MM Auto Cannon

Frank.

If Italeri were to produce a kit of just the weapons alone in that list it would be a fairly costly kit. The 40 mm land based gun kit goes for over $40.00 here. I think that list without the crew figure sets (@ $35.99 for the existing crew set here) would be well over $100.00 which means it might be cheaper to kit bash the 109 and 596 kits.

I wonder how that list could be devided into a few weapons sets with lower prices?

Cheers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just a quick list. I know they may not produce everything on the list, but they might produce some.






"Give me a fast boat for we want to get out of harm's way too."

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David Waples

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of David Waples  Posted on: Dec 10, 2012 - 6:29pm
Greetings,
Yes, I recommended most of those things to them. I didn't recommend a stateside crew or the original 103 mast. I would say compared to an SO Radar mast and JFK crew, they would be a much more limited market. Italeri also mentioned to me that they wanted to do some specific items such as life raft, anchor, SO Radar, etc., but again they weren't clear, and maybe not sure yet, if they would be an upgrade set or a different boat number.

That said what I would recommend to all of you who have ideas for Italeri is to go to their web site and send them a message. They should hear from more than just me what people are interested in.

Dave

David Waples

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alross2

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of alross2   Send Email To alross2 Posted on: Dec 10, 2012 - 7:01pm
Quote:

That said what I would recommend to all of you who have ideas for Italeri is to go to their web site and send them a message.



I've done that two or three times, offering access to whatever I have, but have not heard a peep from them.

Al



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