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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
PT-103 build
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=2367
Another simple build, using the Lindberg PT-109. I've had this boat for some time and want to get it off the shelf. I was looking for an early boat, and I liked the depth charges in the back in place of the aft tubes. But if there are any other early boats with an interesting history that someone could suggest I would switch. Not too long ago I started the mid war PT-196 using the Lindberg model. The same type of upgrades will be used here. Once winter sets in I can add the small details to both.
My first question to the experts here would be on the color scheme. In the PT Boats In Action booklet they mention that PT-103 was sporting the depth charges and that that was common for domestic duty. How common was it to have PT's here? Was it only for post construction testing before being shipped overseas? And what colors did they use here? The B&W photo looks like light and dark grey and being an early boat there wouldn't be any blues added. Am I going in the right direction?
Dave
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/boater%20dave/Lindberg%20PT-103/PT-103_1.jpg[/image]
PT-103, from the web
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/boater%20dave/Lindberg%20PT-103/CopyofDSCF7004.jpg[/image]
Overall layout.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/boater%20dave/Lindberg%20PT-103/CopyofDSCF6993.jpg[/image]
My growing squadron
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/boater%20dave/Lindberg%20PT-103/CopyofDSCF6996.jpg[/image]
The holes getting patched up.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/boater%20dave/Lindberg%20PT-103/CopyofDSCF6997.jpg[/image]
Outside faired.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/boater%20dave/Lindberg%20PT-103/CopyofDSCF7006.jpg[/image]
Bridge modes and new tube mounts.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/boater%20dave/Lindberg%20PT-103/CopyofDSCF7005.jpg[/image]
Four vents and a new hatch. The Lindy manholes covered up. Rudder access will be through the base of the 20mm.
Posted By: boater dave | Posted on: Nov 18, 2011 - 12:15pm
Total Posts: 18 | Joined: Jan 6, 2011 - 4:40pm
Your 196 should be two Greens and not Grays ... but other than that? Good builds ....
Posted By: TGConnelly | Posted on: Nov 18, 2011 - 1:37pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Dave
I am pretty sure that the 103 class boats coming off the assembly line were painted overall, using No #5 Standard Navy Gray, with the deck No. #20 standard deck gray. In answer to your question, PT-103 did carry depth charges during her Time Trials in Newark Bay. It was not uncommon for the boats not to have all of their torpedoes in place while doing trials, but were added later, as sometimes supplies were limited. Elco even used dummy torpedoes to simulate the weights of the real ones while doing trials. Elco, by this time was well aware that the depth charges, used on earlier models did not pass the test for hunting submarines. However, they were used as effective measures against enemy destroyers that were chasing them, and many of the boats had them. If your model is depicting PT-103 as she was doing her first trails, than depth charges port and starboard is the way to go, but at some point the depth charges were removed and the torpedo tubes added.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Nov 18, 2011 - 1:44pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Dave
I am also pretty certain that PT-103 kept those Depth Charges as far as Panama, and in fact could have had them even later, as I am not sure if she had the aft torpedo tubes added or not...........
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Nov 18, 2011 - 11:04pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Your 196 should be two Greens and not Grays ...
Not according to David Swasey, the ELCO camoufleur. In describing the scheme on 196, he writes ...Back of the face, we finished out the hull in dark and light gray wavey lines - a sort of quiet 'Adaptor System'.
Al Ross
Posted By: alross2 | Posted on: Nov 20, 2011 - 11:06am
Total Posts: 993 | Joined: Oct 30, 2006 - 8:19pm
Hello everyone
I hope I am not hijacking this thread. I've been following this forum for quite a while and finally registered yesterday. I have a 38 inch fiberglass hulled PT 109 made by Fibo Craft (long out of business) that I purchased over 35 years ago. I have built model planes in years past but nothing like this kit. I am finally going to make time to do the build.
Being my first build I am a bit overwhelmed reading the plans. My sticking point right now is the crown of the deck. I have the deck frame in the hull but the kit plans are not clear for the crown of the deck. I have books by T. Garth Connelly, David Doyle and plans by Al Ross. I have enlarged the plans to reflect a 40 inch boat since components for that size are more readily available. With the enlarged plans it looks like there is a 3/16 (4 1/2 inch in real life) crown at the stern in the Al Ross plans. I am not sure if this dimension is carried the full length due to my plan reading (or lack thereof) skills. In the side view of the plans it appears that a crown is shown the full length but again, I am not sure.
Would you please give me some guidance on this topic?
Thank you
Ed
Posted By: Ed G | Posted on: Nov 20, 2011 - 11:45am
Total Posts: 3 | Joined: Nov 19, 2011 - 7:30am
Ed, hijack away, as this very question has been lingering in my mind as I get ready for my 60" PT project. My hull came with a molded glass deck, but it is far too heavy. I was thinking of using plexi, but if I need to produce a compound curve I may have to panel the deck from several pieces, or strips.
Dave
Posted By: boater dave | Posted on: Nov 20, 2011 - 1:40pm
Total Posts: 18 | Joined: Jan 6, 2011 - 4:40pm
plan reading (or lack thereof) skills. In the side view of the plans it appears that a crown is shown the full length but again, I am not sure.
The camber (what you're calling a crown) runs the full length of the hull. The top line is the deck line along the centerline while the lower line is the deck at the sheer (side).
Al Ross
Posted By: alross2 | Posted on: Nov 20, 2011 - 3:36pm
Total Posts: 993 | Joined: Oct 30, 2006 - 8:19pm
Mr. Ross,
Please contact me offsite. Thank you.
I wish to discuss something with you.
Posted By: TGConnelly | Posted on: Nov 20, 2011 - 4:01pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Thank you for the quick reply. That is a great help!!
Calling the camber the crown is just one of many things I will have to learn. I had originally typed back of the boat then corrected it to stern before posting so I would not sound like a complete duffus!
Take care everyone
Ed
Posted By: Ed G | Posted on: Nov 20, 2011 - 5:21pm
Total Posts: 3 | Joined: Nov 19, 2011 - 7:30am
Al's plans sound right on (no surprise there), several Elco drawings I've seen state a camber of 4 1/2" in 21' beam.
Knowing that, you can get a radius for the deck if that would help. If the arc of the deck camber was part of a circle, its radius would be 1766.25".
Some other cambers I've dug up from Elco plans:
Chart house roof: 3.5" in 8' 3" according to Elco drawing 3231, Construction Of Bridge And Chart Room Trunk.
Day room roof: 3.5" in 8' 3" according to Elco drawing 3230, Construction Of Cabin Trunk.
Engine hatch: 2" in 8' according to Elco drawing 3086, Type Sections.
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Nov 20, 2011 - 6:04pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am
Thanks Jeff. I have also visited your site and found a lot of great info.
Take care
Ed
Posted By: Ed G | Posted on: Nov 21, 2011 - 6:35am
Total Posts: 3 | Joined: Nov 19, 2011 - 7:30am
Again,
Mr. Ross, show me the courtesy of contacting me offsite, thank you.
Posted By: TGConnelly | Posted on: Nov 21, 2011 - 10:07am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered