PT 109 by popeye the sailor - Dumas

[popeye the sailor]

believe it or not Lou.......it wasn't too hard to do    I couldn't leave them look'in like that.   didn't have to trim them too much either.  I them thought that there should be more of a curve at the top.......so I had to do them both.

 

thanks for the good word!  

[Blackreed]

Keep up the good work.

[popeye the sailor]

thanks Blackreed.......I think we might see some warmer weather up here....last week was nice,.......that is....until it chilled up again.  today wasn't too bad in the afternoon,  so I hope we see more during this week.   I'm thinking of getting the sheer on and finish filling in what joints are visible........then I can see what a resin coat will look like on her     I got the Shapeways order in today....I do feel a bit confused,  as some of the gun parts look small    I dry fitted the tubs into the gun turrets,  and they fit really good..........I just hope I ordered the right ones.  I ordered them in 1:30..........heck!   I'm probably worrying for nothing     the parts look really good!  I'll get some pictures and show yas!

[alross2]

On 3/29/2021 at 9:43 AM, popeye the sailor said:

which catalog is that? 

The actual ELCO Parts Catalog for the real 80' PTs.  I have a hard copy and also have it as a PDF, along with a PDF of the Higgins catalog.

 

Al Ross

[popeye the sailor]

do you have a link?

[popeye the sailor]

the .50 cal parts........I got extras for these,  just in case.  the plastic used is suggested that it is somewhat brittle,  and care should be taken to remove the part from the tree.

the carriages,  the ammo / belts,  and the actual guns

 

these are the .50 cal tub parts and the turrets tubes supplied in the kit.

 

these are the 20 mm gun parts.

 

more to come  

 

[Old Collingwood]

Lovely stuff there mate  - those should look smashing when painted up.

 

OC.

[Jim Lad]

Looks like they'll make you concentrate, mate!

 

John

[popeye the sailor]

yes,  they will John..........virgin plastics come at a cost.  #1.......they are brittle.  I wish I could post the instructions for them.......there  are some do's and dont's  as far as painting goes too.  they suggest Acrylics,  but I'll try enamels on the sprues to see if the paint will stick to it.  I may need to use a primer first.  I'll get into this more later.........but first.................the week's update! {ominous organ sound} 

[alross2]

[popeye the sailor]

oh yesssss.....my weekend / your week {however you want to look at it}.   it comes to a close,  so I'd better release it from the bonds of the camera.  more sanding was done.......more filling of the joints as well......prep for the big day.  I run my fingers over the panel joints,  and I don't feel a thing.  the deck frame surface was sanded as well........looks good enough to begin laying  the deck platform down.   I'm just going ahead and doing it....I'll have more than enough room to assemble the rudder set up.  

you can see that I added some short strips along the center frame.......the better to cement the deck platforms onto.........

when the starboard side was dry enough,  the port side was laid down.

there was an errand in there somewhere,  but it was given time to dry.   I did occupy my time on other things.......like assembling the 20 mm gun.  the instructions stated that this is actually 1:20 / 1:24,  which scared me a bit.........until I realized this was where I found the instructions in the first place..

   noting the color of the plastic,  is an indication that this is virgin plastic.   it is a UV cured acrylic plastic.  I looked into one of these machines,  and wished I could own one...way out of my league.  nothing I read said that it was recycled plastic.......but the color also indicates that nothing has been added to it.  the milky color comes from the wax to prevent sticking...injection molding.  I use to work at a facility that made automotive bushings,  seals,  and other products and parts for hydraulic.....caterpillar comes to mind.  they also made timing belts.  I used to run what they called 'hot runners' ....meaning that machine didn't stop for a second........every min and a half,  it would spit out parts.....in different denominations,  depending what it was set up for at the time.  it would open,  spit out the parts and close again.......over and over.  the only pause was when I would wax and wipe........and inspect the parts to insure that there are no defects.  there's a lot more to it....but it irreverent,  since I don't work there no more........not for quite a long time ago........it's where I met the admiral     as mentioned.....the parts are brittle......just like clear parts {I know you've found that out at least once in your model building existence  }.  I broke one part assembling it.  odd,  but the instructions say that regular model cement won't work on this plastic.......so I used CA.

compared to the supplied gun.......what a difference!  of course,  I haven't added anything else to the original gun,  but the detail this one has is really nice.  

the instructions does list the aspects that can be added to it to make it look more realistic.  I tried adding a pin in the locking lever in the front so it could be movable,  but when I went to trim off the pin sticking out,  it snapped part of the bracket.  so,  it is glued.......this dashes my hopes to put a pin so the gun would be movable.  I rather not make the same mistake twice.

   the rest of the day was devoted to sanding along the edge of the gunwale / deck platform,  to make it flush and fill in the gaps.

[alross2]

[popeye the sailor]

thanks for the head's up Al,  but I have the instructions for the .50's as well    I forget how I found them.......likely the same way I found the one for the 20 mm.  I haven't done anything with them yet........for those,  I ordered two sets    {perhaps a pirate fishing boat?}  the sky is the limit! 

 

anyway.........something strange........

what happened to my table?  the big hunk of beech plywood is gone......I don't need it anymore,  since cutting the hull from it.  before removing it though, I took measurements of the stern {before the tubes},  and near the bow........spaced around 15 1/2".  I also spent some time tiding up the garage,  and cutting a smaller slab of beech plywood 18"X8".  time to make the stand that will hold her for the rest of the project.

of course,  it just wouldn't be cricket,  if I didn't show her on her new pedestal.  for the time being,  I used felt buttons to keep her from getting scratched.   I'll replace them when I make up some more permanent ones.

I added some brackets on the ends to help strengthen it.

now that this is done........the garage is tidy.........the temp is going to be around 70 degrees tomorrow........I think it's time   

[popeye the sailor]

today is the big day........just waiting for the temp to warm up out there.  both windows are open now........got some positive flow through     after wiping her down with a clean cloth,  she got her first coat of resin  

she is still wet.......gonna be really shiny  

applied with a brush in loooong strokes

WHOA!!!!!  what is that..........it seems a brush hair is ruining the first coat.  I got a pick and removed it........went back over the offended area.  my tool boxes are covered over because the roof leaks.  told the landlord,  but he hasn't done anything about it.

 

better without the hair   

so as this cures,  it should smooth out some.  it will also perk up the wood hairs,  so a light sanding will be in order.  I like the way it filled in around the tubes.  just as well....it's errand time anyway  ........it will have plenty of time to dry.

 

......early evening---->  I'm grill'in supper,  so I brought her in the house.  don't want her to take on a smoky barbeque flavor.  I did take a quick look at the deck platform,  and there is very little on it.  I tried not to.  I took these a short time ago.......as I was posting this batch of updates.  she is slightly tacky to the touch,  only in certain areas.  she'll have four days to fully cure before I will do anything more to her.  

 

the small gaps along the gunwale filled in nicely....the finish is a little rough.

 

the panel joints look good.......I'll know for sure when I can get some paint on her  

[Old Collingwood]

That is looking Superb Denis  - and  what a lovely scale.

 

OC.

[lmagna]

Nice job on the finish and first coat Denis.

[Jim Lad]

Nice first coat, Dennis.  Looking good, mate!

 

John

[Kevin]

thats looks like it went on very nicely

 

[Canute]

Thant's looking very good. Nicely done, Denis.

[popeye the sailor]

thanks all  ....I'm very happy to get her to this point.  of course,  this next week is going to be wet,  so it might put a damper on getting another coat on her.   then again,  if the sanding cleans her up good enough,  I might forego another coat,  and go right to the paint { I do like the mellow wood grain since the resin coat}.  once I can get the hull the way I want it,  I can then decide on a clear direction for her........there are so many choices     I've done a little referencing already,  but nothing in stone yet.   the hull is dry to the touch now {I just had to come home and give 'er a stroke}....the admiral's loving referral to 'a man and his pet!    she's even been in there look'in it over       she likes it..........I know she does.  I'll hit 'er up again to get more stuff.....I'll see ......

[LEGION 12]

On 4/9/2021 at 9:34 PM, popeye the sailor said:

today is the big day........just waiting for the temp to warm up out there.  both windows are open now........got some positive flow through     after wiping her down with a clean cloth,  she got her first coat of resin  

she is still wet.......gonna be really shiny  

applied with a brush in loooong strokes

WHOA!!!!!  what is that..........it seems a brush hair is ruining the first coat.  I got a pick and removed it........went back over the offended area.  my tool boxes are covered over because the roof leaks.  told the landlord,  but he hasn't done anything about it.

 

better without the hair   

so as this cures,  it should smooth out some.  it will also perk up the wood hairs,  so a light sanding will be in order.  I like the way it filled in around the tubes.  just as well....it's errand time anyway  ........it will have plenty of time to dry.

 

......early evening---->  I'm grill'in supper,  so I brought her in the house.  don't want her to take on a smoky barbeque flavor.  I did take a quick look at the deck platform,  and there is very little on it.  I tried not to.  I took these a short time ago.......as I was posting this batch of updates.  she is slightly tacky to the touch,  only in certain areas.  she'll have four days to fully cure before I will do anything more to her.  

 

the small gaps along the gunwale filled in nicely....the finish is a little rough.

 

the panel joints look good.......I'll know for sure when I can get some paint on her  

Awesome ! 

[GrandpaPhil]

Looking good, Denis!

[CDW]

The PT Boat looks great Denis!

Our daughter was telling us today that you guys in NH are going to be getting some more snow tonight or in the morning. Bummer.

[Old Collingwood]

53 minutes ago, CDW said:

The PT Boat looks great Denis!

Our daughter was telling us today that you guys in NH are going to be getting some more snow tonight or in the morning. Bummer.

Dont know where Spring went.

 

OC.

[Jack12477]

1 hour ago, CDW said:

The PT Boat looks great Denis!

Our daughter was telling us today that you guys in NH are going to be getting some more snow tonight or in the morning. Bummer.

Us too here in the Catskills, Adirondacks, and  higher elevations of Western Massachusetts . 

Edited April 16, 2021 by Jack12477

[popeye the sailor]

hey-ho gents!.......getting caught up with the goings on here.....thanks for all the kind comments    yepper......strange events going on.......we saw snow,  but you would hardly know it.  the flakes were as big as dimes.........really wet stuff.   it's over now I think.......haven't seen any more precip since lunch.  I knew I wasn't going to get another coat on the hull.......I haven't touched it either.  I did put her on the stand though,  and now I'm thinking of what goes on the deck.   I'm thinking of how many dead lights are on the deck......so I pulled out the Revell kit of the PT 109 and took a look.  I also looked on that 103 website,  but the diagram there must include the placements of different variants.......cripes,  there's a bout 50 of 'em.  oh......I did sand around the edge of the deck sheer....a little resin did collect.  I'm thinking though that a light sanding might be all it will need......the one coat of resin is good.  especially since it's going to be a static model.  for anyone who might do an R/C,  this is the way to go.  after two coats........even without the cloth,  it will more than suffice to seal the hull.  Vaseline or a light grease should seal up the rudder and screw tubes.   I just glad that the day came.......and to me,  it was a complete success!

   I did some more reno to the spare room........I have a different table now.   the table I was using,  was actually a shelf I built for some of my modeling stuff.  I added a couple more shelves,  and opened the room up some more........although I think that dream of a 'wrap around' work table has gone poof in the process     I should have a bit more to report very soon.   thanks for look'in in   

[popeye the sailor]

I have been all over that 103 site........indeed there is a lot of good info there.  since the model is of the PT 109,  I though I'd take a browse into John F. Kennedy while I was at it.  originally,  he was assigned to PT 101,  squadron 14 {RON 14},  to patrol along the Panama Canal.  while he languished here,  PT 109 was in the process of being shipped to the Pacific theatre,  aboard the U.S.S. Joseph Stanton,  along with three other boats.  these transport ships could only carry four at a time.

Kennedy put in for a transfer against his parents wishes,  and with the Help of a Mass. congressman,  found himself heading for Tulagi Island,  where Squadron 2 was based.  he took command of PT 109 on April 23, 1943.  

   two other things I found out in my browsings,  was that the torpedoes weren't that great,  and neither was the radar systems in these boats......half the time they were unreliable or didn't work at all.  now that the hull can sit on her new stand,  I can start to flesh out the deck layout.  the deck platform has a punch out on each half,  to enable access to the R/C works.......the entire structure can be removed.  matching the punch outs to the correct side that they came from.......makes for a better fit.

that's the new table.......a bit lower than what I had before.  I'll see if the creases in the top gives me any trouble.  if they do,  I'll have to get something to cover it over.....Formica or the like.   I wasn't sure if I wanted to trim the helm structure or the turret rook to fit.......easiest was to just trim the helm structure.  

basically,  this is how it will sit......to be removed along with the rest of the center structures.   the structure isn't finished yet........and there's something I'm not too crazy about.  the companionway entry to me seems too small.......that,  and I'm still puzzled how the back wall {that little piece I made earlier} fits.   so I cut it all out except for the control panel.

thinking it should be wider,  I cut about 1/8 off of the control panel.   the opening was walled off again with cast off basswood,  and added a door,  which was an extra from the Progress's fittings kit.   those two choppy looking pieces in front are additional shields.....gotta figure how they come into play with this part of the structures.  the wood is Spruce plywood.......terrible stuff to work with.  as mentioned,  being die cut,  the parts need to be scored before they are punched out of the parts panels.  as for that small section of back wall,  it too was shortened by about an 1/8,  and trimmed to fit the relief toward the end of the port side wall.  now it has the proper configuration.

 

...and with the turret rook in place.....

 

I started with the starboard side shield.   here where the wood grain can help you.......cutting a piece of 1/32 basswood the height needed,  I got it wet,  and let it set for a few moments.  patting it down damp,  it was cemented {with CA} around the edge of the shield 'floor'.  with a pair of scissors,  it was trimmed with a curve,  ending straight down where it opens to the deck.  the grain when wet will be a lot more forgiving,  for bending it to this degree.          it  was then glued to the flat surface of the starboard side 'end' box.  the wood still damp,  it still remembers that it was once straight,  so it need to be taught that it now has the bend.  the structure was clamped to the table,  keeping everything flat until it dries.

 

using the grain as a tool can add interest and natural curvature and contour.  it beats having to round off corners.  there are a few chiggers in the shield floor......there will be in the other one too.  I could have simply scratch cut another pair,  but I have something else in mind.  I could have gone further,  but I started to clean off table white....then ended up painting the pin rail parts for the Agillis while the work I did on the PT boat dries.  I should have more tomorrow  

[Old Collingwood]

Excellent work Denis  - very very tidy she is going to be a Beauty.

 

OC.

[popeye the sailor]

thanks OC.....and those who hit the like button    I went a little bit further......and of course,  more today.   

 

for a change of pace,  I started to do a little on the torpedo tubes.......first to separate and sand all the chocks.  they are made of resin and were all connected together.

never messed with resin before........kinda messy.   after cleaning the floor before Gibbs comes sniffing around,  the nose and tail parts were added to the tubes.......more detail to be added.

on deck are the pivot plates...these are the front ones for the forward and aft tubes......the rear ones are stationary,  but are pinned to allow the tubes to be positioned inward and outward.  as mentioned,  these tubes were a bit unreliable........information I've read told of them having to be hit with a hammer,  in order to get them to fire!  sounded scary to me............   the last section to be assembled is the engine cover,  which is connected to the day cabin.  according to the instructions.....which is very scant......they don't even give measurements,  just a few for positioning.  

the center deck parts are warped pretty good......it is making it harder to get proper measurements.  I see a change I want to make too,  where the cover mates to the day cabin.  I'll get into it more on the next update.

[Canute]

Denis, the resin dust can be irritating, so mask up if you're sanding. I know, just what you don't want to be doing, but the stuff can bother your respiratory tract. The boat is coming along well.