mog

Completed the bow .50 Cal plus some ammo boxes , work is getting there slow but steady

I have been using original ELCO plans, if you go to ptboatforum.com and pt103.com they are the experts on everything PT boat . if roll back on my build log you will find the torpedo tube build pics

Mike 

Thanks guys,  its been a big project, I have learned many new skills , but I think its going to be smaller scales down the road, cost, space, availability are the big drivers.  I have the props and rudders , the boat will not be attached to the base,  so she can be displayed on a static stand if an occasion would ever call for it     

Have not posted for a while as most of the work has been on the repetitive side. Update: the105 boat is 99% complete. All the major work is complete, has been for about a month.  the remaining work being added is dependent on the on finishing the water on the base. The base is very much a work in progress, many hours to go. The palm trees, have one fully completed mainly to make sure my technique would yield the look I wanted, if I did them one at a time its 5 days start to finish, building in bulk steps I have completed the trunks for 19 trees, the palm fronds , made from feathers takes the most time. 10 days to finish the water, 1 day drying time between coats, and maybe a month to finish the background. So much work ahead, but it’s getting there

coming right along , ya you have to watch the cutting things, they never land where you want them to, besides the old school label the 109 with /1  might indicate age.  anyway looking good.

Attached torpedo tubes , training gear, TP Tube locks, and tube wiring plugs

About finished with the cockpit area,

the windshield, a real pain, metal, plastic, drilling hole for pins, paint & canopy glue do not want to work well toughter, without looking like a 5-year-old tossed it all toughter.  after 4 attempts I was at the end of my rope, but it was almost there, when Murphy showed up, a very slight slip of the hand & I took a chunk out of the std screen. Not wanting to start over for shot # 5 I turned the error into battle damage, which I have not shown clearly in the pics as it still needs a bit of work. The windshield weathering became easy after that. Installed the control panel and added the fluorescent light, compass, and torpedo director, them weathered the entire area. Again, there are many different ways to approach this build, all have there own merits, my vision here is to depict a boat that has seen action and exposure to the tropical elements of the pacific.  

Made the Bridge Fluorescent light using  the ELCO plans. Several adjustments had to be made to get the scale close, working this small its mainly what looks right rather than perfect scale. 

Coming right along 

Added the spent cartage tubes under the gun mounts

adding some early details to prevent breakage fitting other items  later in the process

the deck paint is  Black Grey by Vallejo model Air 

Once again Test fitting the superstructure , always looking  for flaws , the hull colour will  lighten up, by mixing in some battleship grey, still thinking about the deck & topside weathering & chipping

Scratch built  Weathered life raft to be stowed on the day cabin.    Salt, tropical conditions, sun all  took there tole on the rafts

Feel the rebuttal pain, I’ve keep track of the added costs to date, turned around receipts on a clipboard, safely hidden in the shop,  to be honest once I cleared a couple hundred , I have not had the guts to look , holden 8702 he does very good work, problem  is he’s so back logged , I might have to go back to shape ways to get more figures, buying off the rack so to speak, which is more expensive, because its thru them, however I just can’t wait maybe 3-4 months  for him.

I got my mufflers  direct from the  designer in Spain , same  panzer& tanks s guy who has designs on shapeways , however he did not like the way they were printing  some  of his work so s he’s now went Independent works in resin much stronger at smaller scale . My kit came with both types of mufflers  did not like either,  holding of on the underside of the hull until I decide a final display look.

Canvas spray shield attached to the aft gun tub. Tub not attached yet so it’s placed at an angle  for photo purpose

  The “Canvas” process --Took a piece of old cotton tee shirt, stretched it out very tight tacked it down, several coats of spray primer was applied to both sides, followed by several coats of tan/ OD green  regular can  spray paint   The drying, spraying process made the cotton stiff. Glued a plastic rod to the top to hold its shape, then made holes 5 mm apart in the top, sewed to the rail with rigging line treated with wax and white glue solution.  Ship rigging experience came in handy here.

Added the hull drain & bilge ports ready for clean-up & weathering

Fabricated the throttle control bars, the mufflers are molded from resin.

I think its time to paint the hull and deck next.

Thanks guys  for your kind comments,  not so sure about one of the most detailed PTs , that’s more in the realm of a master builder , not a simple boat builder, trying to be accurate is important to me on this build , the real test comes from the experts at ptboatforum .com  again thank you.

Torpedo tubes complete , test fit went  ok ,   now they go back in drydock until  there needed 

Twin 50s completed , superstructure  coming along

The  50’s  & mounts started life  as a kit , both were  then heavily modified ,  on the 50’s I only kept the weapons body, everything else scratch built , with the mounts  I kept the site post & the mount carriage bracket.

Rudders, shafts & screws , three engines  three screws  on a PT ,  for me I have the parts for 3, however still not sure if they will be used, depends on the final  display,   

The pictures are from master builder Gene Burgers 107 build

How the comments help[

Engine  room hatch, ready for final clean-up  

Finished the 1^st set of twin 50s with mount

For flags ,numbers & lettering I use BECC model accessories .   There flags are cloth & very good quality  the flag in question is  48 star  Naval Jack  length C 38 mm , but 20-25 mm would work just fine. The jack was posted when a ship is docked or in port     I have two  US flags  same measurements , for the numbering  I use US/international pennant style  6mm , the best fit for 1/30 scale 

Most of the work is caught up,  now awaiting  materials to proceed   so I have posted the Jack while  docked  

Wishing all  a hearty thank for all your help & advise ,

Please have a Merry Xmas & Happy New Year, hopefully we will see calm seas ahead.