| Author |
Topic: Thunderbolt |
|
Ed B
Advanced Member
|
  
Posted on: Nov 29, 2007 - 11:24am
|
I had no idea these pictures would be of such interest, thanks for all the compliments. Just as Frank said of his own models, however, the real praise goes to Elco / Don Rosencrantz.
Here's a top down view of my model, as promised. The cannons, magazines, and everything else are all metal. Please excuse the dust bunnies on this museum piece. It was rescued from an attic after years of unprotection. The dust won't just blow off, it's caked on pretty good. Anyone have suggestions for a proper cleaning method?
I've uploaded several more photos into a new Thunderbolt Model C4 subalbum on the PT Boats photobucket website. Take a look there for different angles and closeups. User ID ptboats, password elcopt http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Thunderbolt%20Model%20C4/
 |
Total Posts: 91 | Joined:
Oct 26, 2006 - 5:31am | IP
Logged
|
|
Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
|
 Posted on: Nov 29, 2007 - 11:58am
|
Ed
Have you tried the Can of Air Spray used to clean Key Boards on Computers. It shoots a pretty good stream of forced air. As all of my models are in cases, I do not deal with the buildup of dust on the models, but I use the air Can to get rid of the dust buildup on the cases. Works pretty well. If not, then some real time spent with a Q-Tip and cleaner should do the trick. The cleaner should be very mild, like a soap/water mix. This should not hurt the model at all. Good luck, and by the way, I really think this THUNDERBOLT MODEL would go very well in my PT BOAT EXHIBIT. You could come and visit it anytime you want. I'll trade ya..............
|
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined:
Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am | IP
Logged
|
|
 |
David Waples |
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 29, 2007 - 7:12pm
|
I hope you don't mind but I saved those pictures. I'm leaning very strongly towards an atlantic PT for my Italeri kit. The Thunderbolt would be the signature piece. Just got to get those .50 cal barrels now.
Regards
Dave
David Waples |
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined:
Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Ed B
Advanced Member
|
Posted on: Nov 30, 2007 - 4:28am
|
Dave
The photos are put up for the taking, help yourself. If you're going to go with that 6-shooter version, I know that PT Boats HQ has quite a few more photos of the real thing, including manned operation. Can't remember if they have any photos of the quad mount. Good luck. |
Total Posts: 91 | Joined:
Oct 26, 2006 - 5:31am | IP
Logged
|
|
ducati650
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 30, 2007 - 5:07am
|
I thought only the 4 20mm version was the only ever fielded. Photos of the Med boats with the TB only show the 4.
I too was thinking of a TB equiped Med boat for a second Italeri boat built.
Ed
|
Total Posts: 450 | Joined:
Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am | IP
Logged
|
|
Steve Tuhy
Advanced Member
|
Posted on: Nov 30, 2007 - 5:07am
|
ED AND DAVE;
THEY HAVE BOTH.
Steve Tuhy |
Total Posts: 114 | Joined:
Oct 17, 2006 - 5:41am | IP
Logged
|
|
David Waples
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 30, 2007 - 10:25pm
|
Ed,
I did read somewhere that only the 4 - 20mm gun mount was used in the field.
So, you're ready for boat number 2 ? I was actually thinking Mediteranian theatre. There were some nice late model boats in service there with the Thunderbolt weapons system.
That thing looks worse than a ball turret of a B-17.
Dave
David Waples |
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined:
Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm | IP
Logged
|
|
ducati650
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Dec 1, 2007 - 4:47am
|
Hi Dave,
I've been thinking about another boat for a while. The 495 took so much time and energy that I need a break. I've thought about a Med boat and actually started gathering information on the Thunderbolt for a while.
Actually, I've been hoping for some 103 seties backdate parts for the 1/35 kit. I would really like to build an early 80 footer. I really loved the photos of your 1/72 build of the 109 and can't wait to see the finished product.
So much so that I've been thinking about a 1/72 build. The posts in the 109 color thread are teasing me. If I understand them correctly, the 109 was one of the first 80 fot boats to see action. In her pre-JFK days, she was probably grey, had only factory weapons, no mast, only 2 tubes for a while, and no depth charges. Is that how you see it? This could be a fun built depicting the early days of fighting in the "slot".
With the WEM PE set and some work, it would be sweet and take up less room than another 1/35.
What do you think?
|
Total Posts: 450 | Joined:
Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am | IP
Logged
|
|
David Waples
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Dec 1, 2007 - 7:42am
|
Hey Ed,
Yes, that's about how I see it as well. It's hard to say if the 109 was green or not before Kennedy had it. All I can say is Dick Keresey, skipper of the 105 thought his boat was gray. So maybe yes and maybe no. I'm trying to arrange a visit with one of the officers of PT-115, a photo of which is on page 20 of Victor Chun's book. This was taken when the boat was converted to radar. It has some interesting features like the air vents for the engine room, spray shields removed, smoke generator flipped 90 degrees, etc. I'm interested to see if he thinks his boat is gray or geen at this moment.
Unfortuantley WEM cancelled their plans on doing any upgrades for the Italeri kit. They received virtually no response to their inquiry they posted in their on line catalog. Eduard on the other hand has a very nice set but it doesn't do anything for the cockpit which is where this kit needs the most work. Maybe Italeri will do a different version of their kit. I'm sure it will depend on how well the current kit moved. I'm sure that was an expensive undertaking.
If you think the Italeri kit wore you out, trust me, the 1/72 Revell kit will as well. I did more kit bashing on that model than anything else I've ever done. Right now she's safely tucked away in a clean box waiting for paint. I was ready to start painting when Ted made his post about possibly having a color shot of the boat during this period. Talk about being teased! That's like the 109 holy grail for pete's sake.
If you like working with wood Bluejacket has a nice 1/48 scale model which was designed by Al Ross. It also requires a lot of work to take it from its basic kit to a quality model, but it's a good size and there's just something about a wooden boat. I have that one mostly done as well and it will be the 105 boat. Right now it's in a hundred parts, all primed and waiting for assembly and paint.
What I think would be a great subject is PT-59. This is the 77' Elco that Kennedy was on which was converted to a pure gun boat. No torps, just bristling with guns. Maybe somebody like Trumpeter will take that on. On the other hand I need to finish what I got!
I sent off for blueprints of the Thunderbolt gun from PT Boats Inc. It doesn't look like a terrible project. But it is very busy in that tub and a good set of drawings would be very helpful. We'll see.
Dave
David Waples |
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined:
Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm | IP
Logged
|
|
ducati650
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Dec 1, 2007 - 3:19pm
|
Dave,
I've not researched much about the 1/72 kit but see you cast your own tubes. Why was that?
|
Total Posts: 450 | Joined:
Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am | IP
Logged
|
|
|
