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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
Update for the PT-157 model photo etch project
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=3881
I said I'd post updates to my photo etch project for my PT 157 model. Below are some of the pieces that are coming out this:
The photo plate. There are actually three plates with three thicknesses and 1/2 thicknesses so there are 6 thicknesses representing a most every thickness of steel used in the PT parts. ALl parts are draw to actual dimensions per the Dick Washichek PT blueprints he found in the National Archives several years ago (and available on DVD now because of him). WIthout this, none of this would be possible.
After drawing the scale of the CAD drawing is then reset to the scale of the my model and all parts then are automatically resized to match. It's magic! For other scales (mine is 1:32) the only change would be in the thickness of brass plates used for the etching to match.
[b]Here is the entire plate:
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Bridge%20Carney/Cropped%20plate%20image.jpg[/image]
The deck hatch covers [/b](uses 5 pieces for each hatch from the photo etch plate)
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Bridge%20Carney/Deck%20Hatch.jpg[/image]
[b]The completed deck deadlight[/b] (uses 3 pieces per deadlight)
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Bridge%20Carney/Deck%20Deadlight%20-%20cropped.jpg[/image]
[b]One the two cross bars used on each deadlight. [/b] This is where the photo etch process really shines. The bar is exactly like the real ones, including the subtle arch, and cannot be made in injection plastic or styrene processes. It is just too small!
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Bridge%20Carney/Deck%20Deadlight-%20cross%20bar.jpg[/image]
[b]Deck vent [/b] (made of 6 pieces)[b]
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Bridge%20Carney/Deck%20vent.jpg[/image]
Stern flag staff with primer coat [/b](3 pieces)[/b]
[Image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Bridge%20Carney/P1050663.jpg[/image]
Window frames [/b] (still attached to the photo etch frame). They're gorgeous.[b]
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Bridge%20Carney/P1050320.jpg[/image]
Throttle housing.. in process of assembly. [/b]This is a mixture of photo etch corrugations along the top and the section flanges attached to shaped styrene strip.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Bridge%20Carney/P1050682.jpg[/image]
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Aug 5, 2015 - 8:32am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm
Very nice work Bridge! Are you going to offer them up for sale?
Dave
David Waples
Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Aug 6, 2015 - 4:50am
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm
Dave - when done, I hope to write up my notes into some basic instructions. I caution that as I've gone through about 7 iterations of the photo etch plate, as I was making tweaks to help make it more easily 'buildable' for the assembled pieces, so I'm used to it now. This is would only be for [b]experienced modelers[/b], such as yourself, who can see ahead on assembling parts and test fitting before gluing.
P.S. I can scale the artwork for any scale. Then the question is specifying the brass plate thicknesses (there will be three required), but I can make a chart of that for the more common scales.
- Bridge
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Aug 6, 2015 - 8:35am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm
Bridge, ir you're scaling up your cad work to 1/16th you will for sure hava one buyer from europe.. are your window frames flat or recessed on the back side?
I'm doing the deadlight frames in resin from silicone moulds with cabon reinforced bars. Works well in 1/16th might work in 1/32nd also...
Keep up the good work[:-cheers-:]
Daniele
Daniele Kläy
Posted By: Daniele Klay | Posted on: Aug 7, 2015 - 3:43am
Total Posts: 126 | Joined: Jun 23, 2015 - 12:43pm
Bridge;
That looks awesome!!
take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Aug 7, 2015 - 7:04am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Daniele - they are flat on the bottom so a cross section of the frame would be like an "[b]L[/b]".
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Aug 7, 2015 - 8:12am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm
Daniele - I always assumed that when I put in the window (using thin styrene as these are going to be painted), I would fit it into the frame and place at the depth as the original window. Actually if I think about it, I could just do the window as a half thickness etch and we'd not have to fabricate a window at all as the windows can be solid material (i.e. we don't need then to be transparent as they are just painted over anyway).
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Aug 7, 2015 - 8:32am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm
Not all boats had the windows painted over at all times(see Russ Pullano's pics on PT195) so keeping them open would be a nice touch.
Better still if the clear panel could be inserted in a recess like the original.
Food for thought...
Greetings.
Daniele Kläy
Posted By: Daniele Klay | Posted on: Aug 7, 2015 - 9:01am
Total Posts: 126 | Joined: Jun 23, 2015 - 12:43pm
I can put a recess edge on the backside then to accommodate whatever anyone wants to put in.
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Aug 7, 2015 - 10:04am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm
Daniele Klay,
I am fabricating two windows version now. One with a solid center but positioned just like it was a window, which will make it so one doesn't have to put a window in the frame; it will already be there. A second frame series which will have a recess lip, from the back, to allow putting in a clear window. It should be fund to play with this.
Bridge
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Aug 28, 2015 - 6:07am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm
Excellent...I definitely want one of these[:-grin-:]
Keep up the good work.
Greetings
Daniele Kläy
Posted By: Daniele Klay | Posted on: Aug 28, 2015 - 10:58am
Total Posts: 126 | Joined: Jun 23, 2015 - 12:43pm
Daniele,
Here are frames with the window grove (backside of frame) added.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Bridge%20Carney/Window%20frame%20rearside%20with%20window%20groove.jpg[/image]
I also added a second set of windows (front side shot below) to the artwork with solid center representing the windows (makes life real
easy if you're going with the windows-painted-painted over scheme).
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Bridge%20Carney/P1050837.jpg[/image]
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Sep 19, 2015 - 6:54am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm
Wow- those are really amazing in detail. Great work!
Randy
Posted By: Deep Vee Forever | Posted on: Sep 19, 2015 - 11:48am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Hi Bridge, it really looks good. What do I have to do to obtain one ?
Greetings
Daniele Kläy
Posted By: Daniele Klay | Posted on: Sep 22, 2015 - 3:20am
Total Posts: 126 | Joined: Jun 23, 2015 - 12:43pm
There would be a lot of prep (instructions) so this will take a while. I'm also focused on putting on the final parts to the PT-157 model.
This would be for the really insane builder. So not sure how to make sure that anyone wanting this knows the results will vary a good deal from modeler to modeler. And some parts are really, really small so what happens if you lose one. All sort so questions to sort out.
Bridge
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Sep 22, 2015 - 9:42am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm
A couple of questions about your PE project. Looks great, by the way. Are you planning on marketing this when you have it completed? Are you doing it in 1/35 scale? Looks like just the thing to dress up Italieri's 103 class P.T..
Bob Melvin
To understand the present, and to hope to comprehend the future, you have to first understand the past. Without history, there is no context upon which to base any understanding.
Posted By: rmmelvin | Posted on: Sep 24, 2015 - 4:24am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
MMelvin,
I first have to complete making all the pieces this is capable of making. Yes, I can make it any scale I want however the three plate thickness need to be considered in order for the parts to be scale (or near scale) thickness as well. In your case the thickness change from my current 1:32 to to a 1:35 should be close that both scales would use the same thickness brass plates as there are likely limitations to the commercially available thickness of brass plates available (but I'll check on this with the PE shop which is Scotland)
I admire the Italeri model very much however there are limitations as to what plastic ejection molding can produce. That model was inspiring but would benefit in a number of details with the ones of of this photo-etch project. If I do market this, those making the model and marrying it to the photo etch pieces will have the best PT model combo I think. Best of both worlds.
I'm now on my 8th generation of photo etch (increasing the number of pieces included and improving the ability to make built-up pieces) and this will be the final one. I also want to mount the PE peices on my PT-157 model THEN I can turn my thoughts to documenting the photo etch plates and assembly. I will be adding some of this material as a new chapter of the book [b]'PT-157: A Scale Model Builder's Notebook'[/b] and possibly post the new chapter on the forum (not sure about that yet).
As for making a commercial kit. I have to think that over as it could cause a landslide of support and questions that I may not be able to handle and that's not good for those that expect such support. So many pieces are small and if some one messes up or loses one I don't know what to do to remedy those situation. That's my concern.
Bridge
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Sep 24, 2015 - 9:54am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm
Beautiful stuff.
In principle I'm interested in a 1/72 version as I'm going to build a few PTs in that scale. I expect most of the tiny parts will be so tiny they'd just disappear, won't they?
You might be able to sell 'em "as is" without offering support; the kind of modeller who'd go for it is likely to buy it anyway even knowing you're not supporting it. I would for example.
Posted By: zeusbheld | Posted on: Oct 24, 2015 - 1:51am
Total Posts: 61 | Joined: Aug 12, 2014 - 9:54pm