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

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

ť Topic: New release - 1/350 Higgins PT Boat
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=4005

Greetings,
I was excited to see this kit released. It's a 1/350 (yes it's really small) Higgins PT Boat with photo etch guns. This was just announced by L'Arsenal which is a French manufacturer of high quality resin ship model kits. I suspect that they will be available in the US from Free Time Hobbies.

Here's the CAD drawing of the kit. Everything you see in gold is photo etch. Everything in blue will be separately molded parts. This should be a great addition to a diorama. Once I get this I'm looking forward to starting a build based on a certain PT Boat on the West Coast and a certain LCI(L) located near that certain PT Boat. I just wish they had done a 37mm for this kit. That would have been perfect! Maybe I can get 3DModels to make one for me. Hmmmm....

Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Feb 6, 2016 - 9:40am
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

It is nice to see model companies still producing versions of the boats we hold so dear. However a question comes to mind, and I know this is all ways in the back of our minds. WHEN is some corporate head going to order production of a 77' Elco classic? And as follow up, has there ever been a model of a 77' Elco?

Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2

Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Feb 6, 2016 - 11:04am
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm

Frank's Mosquito Boat Hobbies offered a 1/20 77' Elco. His web site is active still but I'm not sure if he's still producing or has available kits for sale. Not cheap though.

Patrick Matthews (PATMAT2350 selling at Shapeways) makes all kinds of large scale parts for the Elco. He made a couple of wonderful 1/24 scale 77' Elco. If you do a search for Patrick Matthews you will find his build thread. He made a laser cut hull and also 3D prints of the cabin structures. You might try reaching out to Patrick to see if he can do something for you. Here's a link of his finished model on Modelwarships.com.

http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/misc/patrol/PT61-24-pt/index.htm

He maintains a web site here...

https://matthewsmodelmarine.wordpress.com

GMS Models in Russia made a nice little 1/350 kit but I'm not sure where you would find it. You can email him to see if they have these for sale still.

I would like to see a 77' Elco kit in 1/35. It would be fun to build a PT-59 gunboat.

Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Feb 6, 2016 - 12:55pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

Maybe someday....

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Feb 6, 2016 - 5:26pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

DW Thanks for the reply. Franks Mosquito boat hobbies has been closed for some time. I am aware of Pat's excellent builds of a 77 footer, and I have used some of the weapons he designed and are marketed through Shapeways on my recent Higgins Hellcat.

I am currently building a 1/20th Elco 80 footer based on John Drains excellent laser cut keel and bulkhead kit from Australia. Thinking of doing a 495 boat due to her incorporation of such heavy deck armament.

Italeria is missing the boat, so to speak on not producing a 1/35th Elco 77 footer to go along with the rest of their torpedo boats.

Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2

Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Feb 6, 2016 - 11:58pm
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm

I encourage everyone to send an email to Italeri, or if you prefer Merit (1/48 scale). I believe both companies listen to suggestions.
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Feb 7, 2016 - 7:39am
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

Microglass Inc. makes a fiberglass Elco 77'er at 1/32nd scale hull only, and a set of plans. Forgot the name, believe it was mentioned on the message board either last year or the year before of a place in Britain that produces a 1/35th scale 77'er Then there's that character on eBay (ships-boats) sells a 1/24th scale fiberglass 77 footer hull, deck, and a choice of 20-44 and 45-68 series superstructures since 2001. Believe the same character features these hulls on the Wisconsin Scale Boating Association Web page.

Wayne

Posted By: Wayne Traxel | Posted on: Feb 7, 2016 - 10:21am
Total Posts: 248 | Joined: Oct 11, 2006 - 5:40am