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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: Update on Italeri Elco PT-109 model
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=2633

Hi all,
A quick update on the Italeri 1/35 scale Elco PT-109 model. I was able to make contact with the project leader at Italeri for this kit and with the help and cooperation of Jeff, Dick, and Al, provided them with a great amount of detail for their project. I just heard back from them this morning and they are pouring through the drawings and have already told me that they are very helpful. Now it's time to leave them alone to their work and look forward to the finished product which no doubt will be much improved over the concept model they recently displayed.

Thanks again Jeff and Dick for allowing them to use your materials. If I hear more I will share it with you all.

Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Jun 14, 2012 - 5:05am
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

Thanks, guys. There may be hope for this project yet.

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Jun 14, 2012 - 7:50am
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

That's great News. Now if it will just make it's way to the public before my Exhibit in January 2013, there's hope yet for a PT-109 model for the Show........................

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jun 14, 2012 - 2:46pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Great news, Dave -- and many thanks to yourself, Jeff, Dick and Al.

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Jun 14, 2012 - 3:02pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am

That's great News. Now if it will just make it's way to the public before my Exhibit in January 2013, there's hope yet for a PT-109 model for the Show........................

I hope they do it with the early four engine room vents and not two like Lindberg did.

I prefer the early 103 class of boat for radio control since the aren't nearly as many things to break off as there are on the 596 boat'

I also hope the new kit isn't too expensive. The 1/35 scale Vosper is $150.00 where I am.

Cheers

"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!"

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: Jun 14, 2012 - 6:09pm
Total Posts: 494 | Joined: Jun 24, 2008 - 5:59pm

Thanks guys.
Once we got in touch with the right people at Italeri I found them to be terrific and very thankful to get the information we provided. I was very encouraged with their desire to do a good job with this project. It's hard to say how long it will take for them to organize the kit and get it to market. I would be amazed if the kit were on the market this year but that's just me. I'm not in the business so I'm not sure. Personally I hope they take their time and get it right. Stay tuned.
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Jun 14, 2012 - 7:05pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

Dave, I think this is very good that they are willing to take the drawings to get the boat right. Good things happen to those who wait, so I am in no hurry to see the boat come out in production with problems. Let them get it right, although cost will be a big issue I'm sure. Thanks Jeff, Dick, and Al for your help, let's hope it pays off..................

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jun 15, 2012 - 1:32am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

No doubt the price will be north of $160. I would guess somewhere in the $180 to $200 range. These 1:35 kits they've built have sold very well. They've made an interesting cross over with the armor crowd. I'm looking forward to what comes with the kit other than the obligatory 37mm. For example will they provide torpedoes or just the representation of a torpedo on the end of the tube? Not sure.
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Jun 15, 2012 - 4:47am
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

The model will most definitely be expensive, as was their PT 596.

In discussing this upcoming kit with one of the owners of my local high-end hobby store, he mentioned they hadn't carried the Italeri PT 596 kit because it was so expensive, and no one had special-ordered it.

Still -- to have an accurate, large-scale PT 103-class 80' Elco model, I'm going to shell out whatever it costs.

I'd also like to see Italeri issue another set of (different) crew members for this boat, and I'm hopeful they, or someone else may eventually offer some aftermarket parts like the SCR-517A "beehive" radar, SO-type radar, 20mm turret-mounted gun assemblies,and different shaded and colored boat number turret/charthouse/splash shield decals, etc., etc.

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Jun 16, 2012 - 8:48am
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am

All great ideas, but PT BOATS in the modeling world certainly don't carry as much weight as other products. PT BOATS as much as we love them are not big ticket items for modelers out there. I'm very happy that we are finally getting some attention with the addition of new and better PT BOAT models, as we have had to suffer through the Lindberg Kits, and the much too small 1/72 PT-109.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jun 16, 2012 - 9:04am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

I think Italeri is doing pretty well with these 1:35 kits. The 596 model is becoming harder to find and the Vosper has sold very well. People in the 1:35 armor market are buying these kits. I think the 109 model will sell better than the 596 kit. There is so much more you can do with it. I too would like to see a crew set for the 109 made up of a bunch of half dressed sailors that look like they haven't eaten a decent meal in months. There was a decent response from the aftermarket world for the 596. I wouldn't be surprised to see more of the same with the 109 kit.

A gentleman at Revell mentioned to me that they were considering doing a makeover of the 109 kit. It is one of their best selling kits ever. I've not heard any more about it but you never know.

Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Jun 16, 2012 - 3:25pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

Also, the 40 mm gun on the 596 kit was modified and released as a land based anti-aircraft gun. I wonder if they'll do that with a 37 mm anti-tank gun for the foredeck?

As far as the cost of around $160.00 goes, many modellers pay that and much moe for a single 1/32 scale styrene aircraft kit.

It just depends on how plush your buget is.

Cheers from Peter

"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!"

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: Jun 16, 2012 - 6:28pm
Total Posts: 494 | Joined: Jun 24, 2008 - 5:59pm

I just received an update from my contact at Italeri. The drawings from Dick and Jeff are proving to be very valuable. They're going to share their drawings for our opinions prior to going to production. I think it's terrific that they value our input and care about putting out a quality product. More to come later.
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Jun 21, 2012 - 4:36am
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

Great job,

Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Jun 21, 2012 - 5:13am
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am

Great Job David, Dick and Jeff!!
It is just outstanding to see all our research on the messageboard is actually steering development of this model for production. We are the keepers of the flame!
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jun 21, 2012 - 6:29am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

It does feel that way, Ted. Congratulations, guys.

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Jun 21, 2012 - 6:40am
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

Ahoy there.

Thanks to all those who provided Italeri with the data to make an accurate model. Thanks to Italeri for using that data.

I'm looking forward to seeing the kit.

Cheers from Peter

"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!"

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: Jun 21, 2012 - 7:04am
Total Posts: 494 | Joined: Jun 24, 2008 - 5:59pm

This is great News, that a large Company is willing to listen to our small group of PT BOAT lovers. If all goes according to plan, we should have a first rate 103 class Elco to work with...................

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jun 21, 2012 - 7:13am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

This is quite phenominal! A model company relying on fans/historians for research versus their in house researchers? To bad lindberg and Revell ignored everything told them over the years!!!

Dam the torpedoes...full speed ahead!

Posted By: Michael Snodgrass | Posted on: Jun 25, 2012 - 7:08pm
Total Posts: 31 | Joined: Dec 28, 2011 - 12:52am

Oh Boy!!! Finally a worthy mount for a Quad Fifty Maxon mount on the fantail. Now if only someone would come out with a 20 mm mount for the starboard turret! PT 156 here I come.

SteveS156

Hi there.

Can a quad .50 cal. Maxon mount from a halftrack be used? Dragon makes one in 1/35 scale and it's also released as a separate kit.

Cheers from Peter

"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!"

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: Jun 25, 2012 - 11:23pm
Total Posts: 494 | Joined: Jun 24, 2008 - 5:59pm

It most ceretainly can be used and will be used.

Steve

SteveS156

Posted By: stehlingsg | Posted on: Jun 26, 2012 - 10:25am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered