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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: Input please - What do you want to see next from Italeri?
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Much as I love the 77' boats, I'd like to see a Higgins first. Specifically, I'd like to see a pre-450 series boat with tubes. As a selling point, they served with the USN, RN, Soviet navy, and Regia Marina.

Al Ross

Posted By: alross2 | Posted on: Nov 14, 2012 - 7:31pm
Total Posts: 993 | Joined: Oct 30, 2006 - 8:19pm

So many choices.

I'd like to see an Elco gunboat similar to the one Kenedy commanded after 109.

then again a Higgins would be nice since we have Jerry's full size one for the details.

Cheers

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

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: Nov 14, 2012 - 7:33pm
Total Posts: 494 | Joined: Jun 24, 2008 - 5:59pm

I like to see an ELCO 77 footer fresh from the factory .
Victor

Victor K Chun

Posted By: victorkchun | Posted on: Nov 14, 2012 - 8:46pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

I'd have to say an Elco '77 next......

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Nov 14, 2012 - 9:47pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

Greetings,
I received a very nice message from Italeri today. They told me that they are very much interested in doing more 1:35 coastal forces kits and asked for some ideas. I've passed along my thoughts but I would like to hear from you all. What subjects would you like to see produced?

77' Elco? If so which one? The boat that rescued MacArthur or PT-59?
80' Elco? Same questions. Late war 103 class or Atlantic/Med boat? Thunderbolt gun?
How about a Higgins boat? Early or late war?

Share with us what you think and why you think it would be a good subject for them. Think in terms of broad appeal because they need to sell a bunch of them to make it worth while. I'm really excited to hear what you guys think and continuing the relationship with Italeri.

Thanks guys!
Dave

David Waples

David.

First of all can you once again thank Italeri for us for their continued interest in these wonderful boats?

As I mentioned in a new thread I just started, and someone mentioned in another thread, a separate torpedo and gun (excluding the 40 mm Bofors gun) arnament package from the PT-596 kit would be welcomed by many modellers.

I think that a 77' Elco gunboat in the configuration of Kenedy's boat would be popular for many people some of whom may not be aware that Kenedy even had a second PT boat command. Options, such as numbers, could be included in the kit to allow it to be built as other boats.

Cheers

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

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: Nov 14, 2012 - 10:40pm
Total Posts: 494 | Joined: Jun 24, 2008 - 5:59pm

My first choice would have to be the HIGGINS PT BOAT. It needs to be represented as the second most assembled boats the US NAVY produced, and the forerunner in the Med. If they were to do a Higgins, I would like to see the early boats first, with the torpedo tubes, and not the roll off racks. Of course my second choice would be the Elco 77 footer, which gives you many options to build Bulkeley's boat, or Kennedy's PT-59.

Again, she was the workhorse in Guadalcanal and were the boats that met the Japanese night after night in those early clashes. If the 77 footer, I would like to see Italeri make the racks, Mk-13, 40mm Bofors, and Radar as options to build other boats. I know we are taking about boats here, but being able to buy the option packages and even figures that didn't have to be kit bashed would be great.

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

Definately a 77-footer but with the different cabin configurations so you could build any boat.

They should make a seperate "accessories kit" with the different types of radars, weapons, etc. that would be able to be used for any type of boat.

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Nov 15, 2012 - 4:52am
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm

I'd like to see:

A 77-footer and a Higgins ...

And, to honor my father, a SC-497 Class SC, specifically the 699. Before my father was assigned to her, she had a storied career.

Greetings,
I received a very nice message from Italeri today. They told me that they are very much interested in doing more 1:35 coastal forces kits and asked for some ideas. I've passed along my thoughts but I would like to hear from you all. What subjects would you like to see produced?

77' Elco? If so which one? The boat that rescued MacArthur or PT-59?
80' Elco? Same questions. Late war 103 class or Atlantic/Med boat? Thunderbolt gun?
How about a Higgins boat? Early or late war?

Share with us what you think and why you think it would be a good subject for them. Think in terms of broad appeal because they need to sell a bunch of them to make it worth while. I'm really excited to hear what you guys think and continuing the relationship with Italeri.

Thanks guys!
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: TGConnelly | Posted on: Nov 15, 2012 - 7:02am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

David;
I like Charlie's idea, 77' Elco with configuration options. this way they will cover all U.S. 77' ELCO's and if they make a seperate Royal Navy weapons set(from Vosper kit) they can include RN 77' Elco's.

A Higgins model will have to be done the same way, since the cabins changed. But here, they can used the accessories kit, from PT 596 model. By making the two 80' ELCO kits, they already have the weapons, radar set made, all they have to do is repackage them. Only the Higgins torpedo tubes would have to be produced.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Nov 15, 2012 - 7:47am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Higgins cabins/bridge:

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Webmaster/Bridge-01.jpg[/image]

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Nov 15, 2012 - 8:25am
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

I think its time for Higgins to be better represented. Maybe a late war such as the 658 or even the 305. Either one of these might even give it a better sales opportunity because of the recent popularity of these two boats. One alive and one coming alive.

In either case of an Elco 80 or Higgins - a heavily armed late war configuration illustrating the abundance of arms would be nice. Say the 130/131 or 191 Elco boats or the 459 Higgins would be nice.

If its a 77' Elco it would be nice for the 41 or 34 boats - with the turret domes removable.

Damn where to stop, maybe . . . . . .

Dick . . .

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Nov 15, 2012 - 8:45am
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

Dick if I owned Italeri, I would make every darn one of them, even the Tenders.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Nov 15, 2012 - 3:47pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Without even thinking twice, I would say an Elco 77 footer. With the 596 kit out there, just about any Elco 80 footer can be built. Dumas already has the larger scale Higgins boat but as far as I know, nobody has ever produced a 77 footer in kit form. Then we could go absolutely crazy modifying it. Just think, an awesome diorama of the painting “Breakout from Corregidor”. Besides, I’m getting tired of building these modified 596 kits. Can we get one by Christmas?

Posted By: Roy Forbes | Posted on: Nov 16, 2012 - 1:18pm
Total Posts: 371 | Joined: Sep 5, 2012 - 4:57pm

Dave, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that your next conversation with Italeri will be about them doing the Elco 77 Footer. Seems like the guys have spoken here, although not all of them, but a 1/35 scale 77 Footer sure sounds exciting.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Nov 16, 2012 - 2:14pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

A second-series 77' Elco, with parts for a conversion to the PT 59/60/61 Gunboats.

The idea of extra parts so either a first or a second-series 77-footer can be built is great, also.

Ideally: a 77' Elco, with parts to build either a first or second-series boat, along with parts for a PT 59/60/61 Gunboat version.

If Italeri does do the 77' Elco I encourage them to include the parts for a gun boat version as it would make the kit much more appealing to a wider group of modellers.

I for one would prefer to build the gun boat version.

Cheers

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

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: Nov 16, 2012 - 7:21pm
Total Posts: 494 | Joined: Jun 24, 2008 - 5:59pm

Well I'm no rocket scientist but what I'm hearing from you guys is...

Basic Higgins PT. Maybe with deck cabin options to cover all the types.

Basic 77' early model Elco

Parts kit including everything from 40mm, to SO Radar, to roll off's, to you name it to customize the boats.

Do you guys agree?

Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Nov 16, 2012 - 9:44pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

Sounds interesting. I'd like to see the Bofors gun as a separate kit from the torpedoes though so as to keep th cost down. The 40 mm Bofors gun by Ialeri is about $50.00 here. If the torpedoes and roll off racks were to about that price, then you'd be looking at close to price of the entire PT boat kit just for the arnaments.

Smaller accessory kits would be more attractive to modellers on a somewhat limited budget.

I sure do hope they make a 77' Elco and then a Higgins.

Thanks again and cheers

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

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: Nov 16, 2012 - 10:01pm
Total Posts: 494 | Joined: Jun 24, 2008 - 5:59pm

Sounds good David, but would really like the 77 foot Elco first. Remember, Dumas already has a Higgins kit.

Posted By: Roy Forbes | Posted on: Nov 17, 2012 - 4:25pm
Total Posts: 371 | Joined: Sep 5, 2012 - 4:57pm

Sorry Roy, but the Dumas Elco 80, the Lindberg Elco 80 and the two Italeri Elco 80's makes it 4 to 1. The math adds up to a Higgins, probably late war boat model, with heavy armament. Then secondly after new and good Higgins kit, the very overlooked Elco 77.
SH

Posted By: Hadly | Posted on: Nov 18, 2012 - 8:07am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

That sounds logical Sheldon.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Nov 18, 2012 - 8:46am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

No Question, Higgins 265 series.

Bob

Posted By: Bob | Posted on: Nov 18, 2012 - 9:15am
Total Posts: 181 | Joined: Jun 8, 2010 - 6:21pm

I sure would like to see some figures to populate the SWP boats. Shorts, shirtless and shoeless pirate looking guys. Some aftermarket accessories such as life vests, helmets, rubber life rafts etc. and different masts/radar configurations would be nice.

I just bought Royal Models Elco accessory resin kit - $42 plus shipping.

After the figures and accessories a late war Higgens would be cool.

Mike Witous

Semper Fidelis

Temecula Valley Model Club
Haud Sceptum Haud Sentio Haud Forsit

http://www.meetup.com/TemValModClub/

Posted By: Gunner Mike | Posted on: Nov 20, 2012 - 10:29pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Well Sheldon, if you put it that way your point is pretty convincing. However, the Revell 212 kit would make it 4 to 2 but with no 77 footer out there, that would make it 6 to 0 if we just talk PTs. I guess you can tell I’m an Elco guy but I must admit that a “late war” Higgins boat would be pretty cool. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. I agree with Mike about the crew. That would ROCK!

Posted By: Roy Forbes | Posted on: Nov 21, 2012 - 5:02pm
Total Posts: 371 | Joined: Sep 5, 2012 - 4:57pm

Guys,
The marketing department at Italeri calls the shots. If you want a 109 crew be sure to write them. I would also make sure that they understand how you want the crew to look.
Dave

David Waples

I plan to send an email tonight. Not sure what their marketing email is but I will hunt it down

Thanks

Mike Witous

Semper Fidelis

Temecula Valley Model Club
Haud Sceptum Haud Sentio Haud Forsit

http://www.meetup.com/TemValModClub/

Posted By: Gunner Mike | Posted on: Nov 21, 2012 - 11:04pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

I think a 1/35th scale figure of Frank falling overboard would be appropriate........

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Nov 22, 2012 - 7:47am
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

Will, too funny, I am not sure if they could mold that good looking of a figure, lol.......

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Nov 22, 2012 - 8:52am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

David,
Could you please ask your contacts at Italeri if they have a specific email address and contact name that we could send ideas to? That way they aren't just floating through the endless company email system.
Jerry

Jerry Beasley

Posted By: Jerry Beasley | Posted on: Nov 22, 2012 - 1:59pm
Total Posts: 89 | Joined: Jan 9, 2008 - 4:27pm

Hi all
If anyone is interested in making a suggestion to Italeri you can do so at this link.

http://www.italeri.com/contatti.asp

Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Nov 23, 2012 - 6:04pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

I concur with Victor. Factory 77 with the Dewandre turrets.

Posted By: Mark Culp | Posted on: Nov 23, 2012 - 7:31pm
Total Posts: 135 | Joined: Oct 15, 2006 - 2:56pm

While I'm happy with ANY 1/35 PT version that Italeri finds in their hearts to bring my way...I wholeheartedly agree with Gunner Mike that some non-combat posed crew members would be a huge asset. The current Royal and U-Models figures are nice, but expensive. Even a few natives would be nice, along with some equipment. I've also thought some figures assisting a downed pilot would be really neat for a diorama at sea.
Also have my new Elco on order from FreeTime Hobbies...can't wait!!!

Posted By: Pat Hutchens | Posted on: Nov 24, 2012 - 6:33pm
Total Posts: 36 | Joined: Nov 24, 2012 - 6:03am

Free Time Hobbies sent me a notice this evening that my PT-109 Model has been shipped. Get ready boys, she is here..........

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Nov 24, 2012 - 9:12pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

If anyone is interested in making a suggestion to Italeri you can do so at this link.

Thanks, Dave. I sent them an email offering access to my collection of ELCO and Higgins stuff.

Al Ross

Posted By: alross2 | Posted on: Nov 25, 2012 - 8:04am
Total Posts: 993 | Joined: Oct 30, 2006 - 8:19pm