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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: .30 cal and .50 cal guns and mounting.
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It looks like if I am to be accurate with my PT-495 back-dating of the 596 kit I'm going to need to mount some "extra" firepower. If anybody has any photos of information on how these looked I would appreciate the input.
495 was in Ron 33 with 488 to 597 so photos of any of these could help. I've seen a couple photos of 2 of Ron 36 boats and they seem to be configured a lot like the Ron 33 boats so photos showing their .30 and .50 set-up could be useful also.

Now about the .50 cals, the ones in my 1/35 armor kits look different than the ones on the PT boats. It looks like the barrels might be a little shorter and the armor ones don't have cooling jackets down the entire length. I assume the PT guys used the type issued to the boats. Is this the case? I have lots of extra armor type .50 but none like the boat's. Are there other differences?

Where the .30 cals your standard Army-issue with the single pistol grip?

Thanks,
Ed



Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Mar 1, 2007 - 9:31am
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am



I just found an Academy Machinegun set in 1/35th that has both types of 50 cal and some 30 cals plus ammo belts and boxes and it is only like $7.
Kit 1384.



Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Mar 1, 2007 - 11:27am
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am



I added the 30 cals tonight. I need to do some more detailing to the mounts by adding a few "U-clamp" to secure the pole to the splash shield. I have 30 cal ammo belts to add to the boxes later.

I added a couple of photos to the WIP photo page:
[url]http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1830736[/url]

Feedback is always appreciated.




Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Mar 8, 2007 - 6:44pm
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am



Looks great, man. Keep up the good work and keep posting pics of your progress!

I can't wait to see the finished, painted model.



Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Mar 9, 2007 - 4:46pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am



Thanks Drew. i added flash hides to the 50s and braces to the 30 cal pole mounts. In the photo the barrels look divergant. It is from the camera being so close.

[url]http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1830736[/url]

Ed



Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Mar 9, 2007 - 6:25pm
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am



Greetings,
Your boat is looking great. If you are looking to upgrade the .30 and .50 guns a company called Collectors Brass makes some excellent guns with air cooled jackets, perfect for the PT Boat. They also make ammo belts that are molded in brass (not photoetch). I've ordered enough .50 guns and belts to outfit my boat. For the .50's all you should need to do is remove the handles at the rear of the gun.

Collectors Brass can be purchased from R&J Enterprises. Here's their link.

http://www.rjproducts.com/

Keep the photos coming!
Dave


David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Mar 10, 2007 - 6:52am
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm



Ed;
Your .30 cal pipe mounts look great, I have seen them also on the inside of the splash shield, (ref; PT 131, she also has numerous twin .50 mounts on deck, pg 140 in frank Johnson's book). Collectors brass does make the best looking machine guns in 1/35th, all of my .50's for my PT 59 model are Collectors Brass. As for the .50's that come with your armor models, you really can't use them. Most .50's that come with U.S. tank models are the .50 Cal M2HB models with the heavy barrel. PT boats carried the M2 .50 cal with the aircraft barrel which cooled faster than the heavy barrel, both were air-cooled(ie; they cooled when you stopped firing, and the air around you cooled the barrel).
Hope this helps,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Mar 10, 2007 - 7:46am
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Thanks Dave and Ted. I'll check out the link.

The 30s and 50s I have come from an Academy US Machine gun set. The have several of each in the kit with a variety of mounts. 2 of the 50s look just like the ones in the PT kit. The barrels have cooling jackets to the muzzle. The kit is only about $7 and you get about 6 guns.

Ed



Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Mar 10, 2007 - 12:05pm
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am