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Patrol Torpedo Boat PT-109; 1:72 Scale (05147)
Topic Started: Apr 3 2018, 11:47 PM (343 Views)
Johni044
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John
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Patrol Torpedo Boat PT-109
1:72 Scale
05147


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Background

The PT (Patrol Torpedo) Boats were fast, wooden attack craft operated by the US Navy, developed from a British design, they saw extensive service in the Pacific and European theatres during WWII. PT-109 being possibly the most famous craft as it was skipper by John F Kennedy future President of the U.S.A.

Below is a link to a documentary on the development and exploits of these craft in US Service, including PT-109.

https://youtu.be/4IKh7a2zw5s


The Kit

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PT-109 was first kitted by Revell in 1963, this however is NOT a re-release of this classic kit, this is the first release of a band new tooling from Revell of Germany.

And to re-assure any doubters:
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The finished model being 34.1cm in length.

The 146 parts come on 10 sprues of light grey styrene with three of clear parts (even though these are joined together) together with separate deck and hull halves.

Details include:
Two part Hull
Detailed superstructure
Interior cabins
37mm anti-tank gun
Display stand
Two paint schemes
Authentic decal set.

The Plastic

Firstly, here are the hull halves and deck.
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The moulding is crisp on these (and all) parts with both raised and recessed details as appropriate. There are some injection marks on the part inners but these will never be seen after standard construction. Of particular note with these is that the attachment points from the sprue gate are not on the edges of the pieces, you may notice two small marks on each of the hull halves a couple of mm down from the top edge, similarly the connection points on the inner deck are away from the edge.

Unfortunately on my example there are a few rub marks on the deck caused by parts moving against each other whilst in transit, however they are superficial and would be easy to polish out prior to painting.

Gate A

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Rear lower hull and cabin parts. There are some shallow injection marks on the cabin walls, which may require a little filler if you are so inclined (see detail pictures later).

Gate B
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Gate C (x2)
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Gate E
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Gate F
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Gate G
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Gate H
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Gate I (x2)
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Gate L
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The 37mm gun which was lashed to foredeck of JFK’s boat.

Gates D;J & K
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In Detail

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Care will need to exercised in removing the finer parts from the gate.

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Sharp moulding, but you can see some of the shallow ejector pin marks you may wish to fill.

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Although the vast majority of the kit is free from it, there is some flash and burring that needs removing from a few pieces.

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The windscreen is remarkable clear and free from distortion.

Decals

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The decals are printed in Italy and are in perfect register and sharp colour definition. (unfortunately my scanner has not captured some of the white decals correctly)

Instructions

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The instructions are in full colour and detail the construction of the kit through 50 stages and two for the painting and decal placement.

Two schemes are detailed:
PT-109, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 2, Tulagi Island, Solomon Islands, South Pacific, August 1942-February 1943.

PT-109, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 2, South Pacific, 2nd August 1943, commanded by Lieutenant, junior grade (LTJG) John F Kennedy

Colour callouts are in Revell colours only of which two will require mixing.

Link to Instructions

Conclusions

Undoubtedly a welcome new tool release of a model that has been a staple of the Revell catalogue for several decades that benefits from current production techniques and materials. The historic relevance and legacy of this boats association with JFK will maintain its popularity.

If you are aware of their history or have watched the documentary at the beginning of this review you will know the specification of these boats was modified several times as the war progressed, for example torpedoes were removed and additional guns installed when they were attacking shallow draught Japanese barges and the torpedo tubes were replaced with rails in order to increase accuracy and stealth at night by doing away with the flash often caused when the ejector charges were fired.

Given the modular breakdown of the parts, it’s quite plausible for more options to be offered in the future.

A kit which should build up to a fine replica out of the box, and in a scale to allow further detailing from those predisposed to do so. From what I can see in the box a kit that I can strongly recommend, a full build review will follow shortly.


Many thanks to Revell for the review sample.

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Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers.
For details visit ;

Revell Website

Revell Facebook


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jacksdad64
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Aikidoka
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Thanks for the review John.
That looks like its going :whistle: to build into a nicely detailed kit. And one, I'm sure the super-detailers are going to have fun with.


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peebeep
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Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious
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Coastal forces fans should be loving this one. I have the old kit, which wasn't bad for its day, but this is chalk and cheese. Also, the old kit didn't have the lash up gun to mount on the fore deck, which is historically correct for 109.
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DH764
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The Mighty Fin
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Even I would be tempted to build that.....really nice looking kit.

Andy
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chrism
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I have just taken delivery of one of these from Vince, this morning; and am incredibly impressed with what is in the box.

There is an eduard fret in production for this kit. How it will differ from the fret they did for the older kit, I will be interested in due course to see. I do have the other eduard fret for the old moulding, and may still seek out the original kit if I see one cheaply secondhand as well.

As well as it is moulded, I will more than likely replace a few select bits with aftermarket resin from Coastal Craft. The carley float is a definite one and the torp tubes another likely candidate, but other than that it is a cracking kit.
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CPNGROATS
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Advanced Member
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I'll be getting one of these.... :yipee: [ perhaps more than one.. :woo: ]

Cheers,

ggc
Edited by CPNGROATS, Apr 4 2018, 09:18 PM.
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