The PT Boat Forum
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi


» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?cid=101&fct=showf


» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?fct=gotoforum&cid=101&fid=102


» Topic: Font for hull numbers
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=2989



Hi all! I joined a couple of months ago and this is my first question.
I got one of the classi revell model kit of PT-109 for christmas, (probably
about my tenth since I was a kid) but i want to build the 121 boat after seeing
The picture of it at navsource. My question is what is the font for the
hull numbers? I can make my own decals, but I don't have a clue what
font to start from. A little info about me, I'm 48 years old, read Mr. Donovan's
Book when I was 8 and been hooked on PT's ever since. I now own the copy
Of the book that I first read( a gift from my Aunt). This is one of my
most cherishe books, along with a first edition of "God is my co-pilot"
by Bob Scott and a first edition of "30 seconds over Tokyo" by Ted Lawson.
Anyways, probably too much info, but thats who I am. Any help on the
font or on the 121 boat would be very much appreciated!
Thanks!

Bill

Stop with all the negative waves Moriarity!

Posted By: wclracer64 | Posted on: Dec 29, 2012 - 7:26pm
Total Posts: 16 | Joined: Dec 7, 2012 - 3:47pm



Bill;
I just went through all the fonts in my computer, and it is none of them. My suggestion is go to your local hobby shop and buy Woodland Scenics MG 747, dry transfer model graphics, this has the correct font numbers in various sizes, good enough for 1/35, 1/48th, and 1/72nd scales.
Take care,
TED

P.S. if you want to use black numbers, which 121 carried early at Morobe RON 6 DIV 17, use MG746



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Dec 29, 2012 - 7:58pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



SNAFU! Good choice. Looking at the photo on navsource that hull number is clearly hand painted. Rather than make a decal consider cutting numbers out on a piece of masking tape and stippling on the paint with a brush. I think that would give you the look you're after. SNAFU is pretty much hand written as well.
Dave


David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Dec 29, 2012 - 8:01pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm



Thanks for the info and the quick response!
I really appreciate the info!
Bill

Stop with all the negative waves Moriarity!

Posted By: wclracer64 | Posted on: Dec 29, 2012 - 8:02pm
Total Posts: 16 | Joined: Dec 7, 2012 - 3:47pm



Thanks for the info and the quick response!
I really appreciate the info!
Bill

Stop with all the negative waves Moriarity!

Posted By: wclracer64 | Posted on: Dec 29, 2012 - 8:30pm
Total Posts: 16 | Joined: Dec 7, 2012 - 3:47pm



Whoops! Sorry for the double click!

Stop with all the negative waves Moriarity!

Posted By: wclracer64 | Posted on: Dec 29, 2012 - 8:33pm
Total Posts: 16 | Joined: Dec 7, 2012 - 3:47pm



I'm wondering if those are red letters. Does anyone have any thoughts?
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Dec 29, 2012 - 9:21pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm



Bill and David;
BLACK numbers as I said. As with all the boats that passed through Tulagi, in RON 2, 3(2), 5, and 6. SNAFU is white or yellow. your choice.
Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Dec 29, 2012 - 10:43pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am




I've been searching for a similar font for quite some time, then a couple of years ago I found a good substitute, if not an accurate font. However the numbers in PT photos aren't always the same, they will vary from time to time. The critical numbers to pay attention to are 1, 4. 5 & 7.
you might notice these change from photo to photo. For the most part Airborne Pilot and Airborne II Pilot were the most consistent, with its brothers Airborne and Airborne II close on other matches.

I've included a link for another font, AmarilloUSF which is close except for the " 4 " number. All these fonts differ in size shape and proportion. My best guess is you can't go wrong with Airborne Pilot and/or Airborne II Pilot.

[b]The closes font I've been able to find is:[/b]

Airborne II Pilot (a regular weight font)
Airborne Pilot (a bolder font)

The shape of the numbers " 4, 5, & 7 " with its extra chambered areas really sells it.

[red]LINK REMOVED[/red]
[b]Do an Internet search of your own using the above font name[/b]



Another similar font without the extra chambers on the number " 4 " is:
AmarilloUSAF

[red]LINK REMOVED[/red]
[b]Do an Internet search of your own using the above font name[/b]

Have a safe New Year,
Dick . . .


Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Dec 30, 2012 - 7:53am
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm



Thanks for the info! Those are some close looking fonts.
I like the amarrillo one the best!
Cheers!
Bill

Stop with all the negative waves Moriarity!

Posted By: wclracer64 | Posted on: Dec 30, 2012 - 10:20am
Total Posts: 16 | Joined: Dec 7, 2012 - 3:47pm



I have a suggestion for all of you. If you know what you're looking for and can provide a photo, font (as Dick provided), and size, you can reach out to Kenny Loop at Gators Grip and have him make some custom laser cut masks for you. I had him make some tail code masks for a Project I'm currently working on and they are perfect.

From there you have a couple of ways to approach it. You can paint your model, apply the mask, remove the numbers and paint the number color over the mask. Or you can first start with the number color, apply the individual laser cut numbers themselves, and then paint your model color. The later works well for areas with complex curves such as a 20mm pedestal. Once done remove the laser cut numbers. Either way painting the numbers on will have a superior look than decals. I hope that made sense.

Dave


David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Dec 30, 2012 - 1:21pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm





I have quickly peek through some photos and found some samples of PT boat numbering. As you can see by the samples below. I still believe the AIrborne Pilot and Pilot II are closer to the actual numbers used, at least, when the boats were new and coming out of Elco. If you look at all the early 103 series boats, the numbering is consistent. Now when the boats were out in the war areas, like painting, color, and numbering ,many times were all none specific.

There has also been comments (on the Italeri 109) about proper sizes for numbers at various locations. I gone through a lot of photos some time back and seldom if ever notice much difference in size. I've also scoured for technical reference for PT boat number size and can not find any - that's not to say they're aren't any. If someone has all this info please share.

The image below is just a quick sample, pay attention to the number 1, 4, 5, and 7's.


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





Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Dec 30, 2012 - 4:55pm
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm



Great photos Dick. I think most of you can pick out what was done in the factory and what was done in the field. Some crews clearly had better artistic talent than others. You definitely have to look at your subject photos to know what to do with your numbers. This is not unique to PT Boats. I studied F4U Corsairs and their numbers in the field were all hand painted. They look good from a distance but up close they are very crude.
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Dec 30, 2012 - 6:45pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm



Right on, Dave. If someone is modeling a specific boat as she appeared Out In The Area, by far the best way is to go by actual photos as opposed to fresh-from-the-factory specs.

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Dec 30, 2012 - 10:04pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm



Nice work Dick, thank you for doing that!




Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Dec 31, 2012 - 4:49am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am



Great info all around! Thanks guys!
Bill

Stop with all the negative waves Moriarity!

Posted By: wclracer64 | Posted on: Dec 31, 2012 - 5:59am
Total Posts: 16 | Joined: Dec 7, 2012 - 3:47pm



Great compilation of shots of different PT boat number-styles, Dick, thanks!



Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Jan 1, 2013 - 6:59am
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am



David;
You are correct, I also have studied Corsairs and the early ones (F4U-1 and F4U-1A's especially) from Guadalcanal to Torokina-Green Island era(Jan 1944).

Dick;
I like your idea here, if you could expand it, this would make a great "PT Number "Collage poster!
Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jan 1, 2013 - 7:12am
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



SNAFU? My Dad's boat PT-342, Ron 24, was also called "SNAFU" Anyone have any info on the 342 boat?



Posted By: Jeff Sherry | Posted on: Jan 11, 2013 - 1:58pm
Total Posts: 84 | Joined: Oct 30, 2006 - 8:04pm