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: Elco 77 footer coming soon
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=5006

John Drain of Australia is developing a kit for the often ignored boat many consider the epitome of an American Motor Torpedo Boat.
His research and engineering skills will no doubt result in an outstanding product.

Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2
2016 Corvette Z51

Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Apr 3, 2021 - 1:08pm
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm

CANNOT WAIT!

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Apr 3, 2021 - 5:14pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

What scale? Thanks

Posted By: Stearman | Posted on: Apr 3, 2021 - 8:25pm
Total Posts: 150 | Joined: Nov 1, 2017 - 9:38pm

John told me he would be offering the kit in a variety of scales and building materials.
If you check his web site you will see all his current offerings. I know for sure one will be in 1/20th, an ideal size for RC operation.
He cautioned me he has not up dated his site recently due to the virus and equipment breakdown, but said when he does, LOOKOUT.

Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2
2016 Corvette Z51

Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Apr 3, 2021 - 10:00pm
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm

Thanks Larry, John has been a big inspiration to me and many many others for a very long time! His beautiful work and clever ways of making things work like torpedoes that actually fire are very impressive. I'm really looking forward to seeing this!

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Apr 4, 2021 - 7:13am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

This would be great. Speaking for myself I would love to see one in 1:72 scale and 1:35th. Long time coming for sure.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Apr 4, 2021 - 8:44am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Which 77' Elco? First or second series?

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Apr 4, 2021 - 2:03pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am

That's great news. I echo Frank's comments. Both 1/72 and 1/35 are excellent scales for modelers. Can somebody provide a web site?

Found the site. Looks like 1/35 or 1/24 are the most likely scales.
David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Apr 4, 2021 - 3:22pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

DREW C

John said he is working on the early version, probably due to them being the most numerous.

Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2
2016 Corvette Z51

Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Apr 4, 2021 - 5:12pm
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm

Thanks, Larry.

Although I prefer the looks of the second-series Elco 77-footers to the first, the first series boats certainly had the iconic combat status experiences of the Philippines ("They Were Expendable") and early Guadalcanal boats.

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Apr 5, 2021 - 11:48am
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am

Since John's boats are built the original way, from wood, upside down on a jig, keel and bulkheads properly located. Then the are planked like the originals, alternating layers of diagonal planks. Once the hull planking in both layers is complete, the hull can be removed from the building board, and the integral jig removed.
My 1/20 80' hulls were planked with 1/32" thick by1/4" wide basswood planks.
I seriously doubt anything smaller than 1/35th will be available.
Modifying an early bridge style to a later should not be a major hurdle for the experienced builder.
These hulls come with motor mounts, shaft tunnels, and rudder boxes for precise location of the running gear, as you may have guessed, these kits are all designed with the RC scale modelers in mind.
Both of my 80 footers are powered by three brushless electric motors, and triple rudders, providing very realistic planning and maneuverability.

Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2
2016 Corvette Z51

Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Apr 7, 2021 - 6:45pm
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm

Sounds like a great idea, hope it happens. lots of us want one.

Bill P Reese

Posted By: billpr | Posted on: Apr 9, 2021 - 6:05pm
Total Posts: 83 | Joined: Mar 19, 2017 - 4:34pm