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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: In box review of L'Arsenal 1/350 Higgins PT Boat
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=4219

Greetings,
Al Ross requested that I share with you the new L'Arsenal 1/350 Higgins PT Boat. This kit was designed from CAD drawings and the masters were 3D printed. The parts were cast in resin.

Included are clear instructions, two resin boats, parts, and a photo etch fret to cover both boats. The kit is based on a late ware Higgins. It has roll off torpedoes but does not include a 37mm or 40mm Bofors. L'Arsenal does offer a very nice 40mm single Bofors in a separate kit which I have as well.

Here's what you get in the box.

CAD drawing of the boat.[IMAGE]http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n27/David_Waples/Higgins%20PT%20Boat/2016-02-Higgins_zpsvltegyxp.jpg[/IMAGE]

Instruction sheet. I like that it's based on the CAD drawing.
[IMAGE]http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n27/David_Waples/Higgins%20PT%20Boat/9602c7d4-46a6-4f0b-86b8-fd814d8abc3c_zps9ivxi4rl.jpg[/IMAGE]

[IMAGE]http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n27/David_Waples/Higgins%20PT%20Boat/a7203584-6afe-457a-a54b-71ac3cb83e56_zpsg8szl5yp.jpg[/IMAGE]

Photo etch. As you can see from the drawings and the photo etch it includes a very nice radar mast.
[IMAGE]http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n27/David_Waples/Higgins%20PT%20Boat/99a7fd17-ec55-4a92-a294-47c89e1a00d9_zpsuqdfgov2.jpg[/IMAGE]

Here's the single casting of the boat. The funnels are a little funky but if I need to adjust them (and I will from what I've seen in reference photos) it should be very easy to do.
[IMAGE]http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n27/David_Waples/Higgins%20PT%20Boat/48c85797-4e66-468a-9ea2-1fcddeca71a6_zpsxhl6xzbd.jpg[/IMAGE]

[IMAGE]http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n27/David_Waples/Higgins%20PT%20Boat/167a4ac1-ddbf-4145-a962-2f674c190a1f_zpsqlnwscvz.jpg[/IMAGE]

The misc parts. The one thing I think is kind of strange are the prop shafts and struts. They would have been better done in photo etch I think. The rudders are nice though. I really like the roll off torpedoes. I did find one tiny air bubble in one of them but it's an easy repair.

[IMAGE]http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n27/David_Waples/Higgins%20PT%20Boat/618a8c58-9805-4f43-827d-e4b57a1d21ba_zps6t6kftjc.jpg[/IMAGE]

Here's a comparison of the White Ensign Models torpedo tube and the L'Arsenal roll off torpedo. Hopefully you can see the improvement in quality in the L'Arsenal part.

[IMAGE]http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n27/David_Waples/Higgins%20PT%20Boat/92ca1be0-6258-43d0-834a-5fb83cb34e72_zpswosqgwzl.jpg[/IMAGE]

And here's the White Ensign Models Elco that I started with on the 109 shown here as a comparison with the 3D created Higgins. Got to love the pour block and the random blobs of resin in tough places like forward of the engine hatch and in the turret tubs.

[IMAGE]http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n27/David_Waples/Higgins%20PT%20Boat/a1ebee82-64b8-4071-ba5d-4edb4e39221a_zpsl0mbl6ws.jpg[/IMAGE]

Not shown are the resin .50 guns. They are incredibly tiny. The barrels are perfectly cast and the size of hairs. You will need to make the pedestal. Strange that they left it off the drawings completely.

There's minimal additional work required to finish this model. I have a diorama in mind that I hope to get to before too long. I would love to see L'Arsenal make a 77' and 80' Elco to round out the family. If you have any questions please let me know.
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Feb 13, 2017 - 8:27pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

Thanks, Dave. Looks pretty good, especially for a 1/350 scale. Curious choice, as this is a 450-485 series boat. The earlier series has far more modelling possibilities given its service with a variety of navies.

Al Ross

Posted By: alross2 | Posted on: Feb 14, 2017 - 6:56am
Total Posts: 993 | Joined: Oct 30, 2006 - 8:19pm

Dave, from where did you get your kit?

Al

Posted By: alross2 | Posted on: Feb 14, 2017 - 7:52am
Total Posts: 993 | Joined: Oct 30, 2006 - 8:19pm

Imagine if they made this in 1:72 scale!
ThePTboater

Posted By: ThePTboater | Posted on: Feb 14, 2017 - 10:19am
Total Posts: 136 | Joined: Jan 17, 2016 - 1:28pm

Got my kits today. Overall, I really like them. The resin casting is beautifully done and very delicate, as is the photo-etch fret.

There are a few curious inaccuracies. There are two smoke generators shown on the plans, the 20mm have shields, the 20mm are both on the tall tripods (MK10), and the crescent-shaped steps for the midships 20mm gun are missing.

The fixes are simple. In most cases, you simply omit the part or trim it.

I'm happy to have them, Might even build them one day...[:-happy2-:]

Al

Posted By: alross2 | Posted on: Mar 1, 2017 - 5:46pm
Total Posts: 993 | Joined: Oct 30, 2006 - 8:19pm

Just noticed this excellent review, David. Thanks for posting.
Are these kits readily available?

Thanks,
Chuck

Chuck

Posted By: Chuck Bauer | Posted on: Apr 3, 2017 - 8:59am
Total Posts: 20 | Joined: Mar 3, 2017 - 3:59pm

Just noticed this excellent review, David. Thanks for posting.
Are these kits readily available?

Thanks,
Chuck

Chuck

Yes, they are. This is a recent release from L'Arsenal.

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Apr 4, 2017 - 6:05am
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm