The PT Boat Forum
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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: Introduction and a question
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=4108

HI folks, my name is Rob, I am a 26 year Navy veteran, recently transitioned to the civilian world after a great career in Naval Aviation retiring as a Senior Chief. I am an avid mode builder and lifelong PT Boat fan! So when I bought the Merit early 80' Elco boat I found this site and figured I would register so when I tackle it later in the summer (like many builders I have more kits going than I know what to do with!) I can come here for help. I would like to build the 183 boat which has a combo of tubes and roll off racks I have some MK 13s for that and decent pictures of the racks. One thing I found was a great build on Hyperscale of the Italeri kit done as 183. Two things stuck out, three cammo colors, the "PT boat" green base, a lighter green then black. Second was a 20mm cannon on the bow, rather than a 37mm aircraft cannon. As to the paint, in the Navsource pics it looks like only black to me, and the lighter areas are just weathered. As for the gun on the bow, I can't tell from pictures and searching here and google were no help. So to cut a long story short, and head off to work, anyone here know? Thanks and have a great Navy Day!

Rob

Posted By: Robertandy | Posted on: Jun 15, 2016 - 5:44am
Total Posts: 5 | Joined: Jun 15, 2016 - 5:31am

Rob;
Welcome Aboard. I looked at the model you mentioned on http://www.network54.com/Forum/47751/message/1460204548/PT-183+Italeri+1-35+80'+ELCO+motor+torpedo+boat
I have no idea where the modeler came up with that cut down Mk4 mount/20mm.
PT 183 did not have that. when you enlarge the photos on Navsource, you can clearly see the early 37mm mount forward, just as PT 180 has. the only difference is PT 183's crew has removed the 37mm from the mount, probably for cleaning and PMS under that tent.
Other than that the model looks correct.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jun 15, 2016 - 11:23am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Great! I will be scratch building the 37mm which will be at least somewhat easier than a 20mm.
Rob

Rob

Posted By: Robertandy | Posted on: Jun 15, 2016 - 12:00pm
Total Posts: 5 | Joined: Jun 15, 2016 - 5:31am

Welcome Rob, glad to have you aboard!

Besides what Ted said, make sure you mount the forward mooring bitt with the horns side to side and not fore and aft as in the model. Knowing crews modded things, I checked and this shot shows it mounted normally:

[image]http://www.pt103.com/images/ptpics/PT_183_Rendova_Mooring_Bitt.jpg[/image]

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jun 15, 2016 - 12:36pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Jeff;
Thanks for catching that.

Rob;
Here are some M4 37mm views. This was the weapon that was originally removed from USAAF P39 Aircobras in the Solomons, and mounted on field made mounts.

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/37mm-1.jpg[/image]
PT 183 had the M4(right), but not that MK 14 gun mount

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT%2037mm.jpg[/image]
37mm on RON 19 Higgins PT Green Island 1943-44, This is the type of mount PT 183 had.

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT%2037mm%20Green%20Island%201944.jpg[/image]
37mm Green Island
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jun 15, 2016 - 4:30pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Great stuff guys thanks! I once had the Monogram P-39 kit, I am hoping I saved a gun out of it, if not I am pretty good at scratchbuilding. Thanks again, can't wait to get her started, but I have two projects ahead of her!

Rob

Posted By: Robertandy | Posted on: Jun 15, 2016 - 6:16pm
Total Posts: 5 | Joined: Jun 15, 2016 - 5:31am

Welcome to the family Senior Chief. Great to have another modeler on board.

I'm hoping that we can get somebody to print up or etch one of these 37mm magazines for us.

Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Jun 15, 2016 - 9:03pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

Yeah, the Monogram gun if I recall (and I can't find it!) is ok, but not as good as could be done in resin. Shapeways could do one, but I imagine it would cost a bit. I am wondering if 1/35 MG ammo would be close to the right size, maybe .30 cal. Then it would be just building the gun and mount. I know I think the Mk 13s look all over black, or perhaps covered with anti-corrosion covering? You would want it to be somewhat smooth so the fish would run true in the water. LOL What the Hell do I know I worked on the flight deck on modern Naval Aircraft! Sounds good though!

Rob

Posted By: Robertandy | Posted on: Jun 15, 2016 - 10:56pm
Total Posts: 5 | Joined: Jun 15, 2016 - 5:31am

Hi Rob,
Welcome to the Forum. I am a retired MMC(SW) and a volunteer on restoring the real PT658 in Portland OR. I have some experience with 4 real live Mark 13 torps on our boat and they are not black. I wire wheeled them down to bare metal (steel) and repainted them. But I also spoke to retired Master Chief Jack Duncan a WW2 TM and he says they did not paint them. He told me all they did was smear something called tectyl onto the steel bodies to prevent rusting. The warheads were plated with Cadmium and they look kind of like galvanized metal just duller grey. The tectyl was sort of like watered down cosmoline. To simulate that, I painted the model torps grey, then smeared dust/smudge from the pile below my bench grinder wheel. It was perfect, it made it streaky dark and blotchy, but not all one color black. Here is a picture of the torps after I was done wire wheeling them. Hope this helps.
Jerry

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Jerry%20Gilmartin/DSC01863.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Jerry%20Gilmartin/DSC01859.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Jerry%20Gilmartin/DSC01840.jpgimage]

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Jerry%20Gilmartin/DSC01849.jpg[/image]

Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jun 16, 2016 - 2:57am
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

Thanks Jerry! One of the pitfalls of working from black and white photos is trying to figure out correct colors from them. And being a retired AECS my weapons knowledge is, blue bomb, green bomb grey bomb white missile

Thanks for the tip and the pictures and have a great Navy day!

Rob

Posted By: Robertandy | Posted on: Jun 16, 2016 - 7:09am
Total Posts: 5 | Joined: Jun 15, 2016 - 5:31am