Calling all PT Boat (all types) fans!

[alross2]

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/alross2/ae1.jpg


This is a microfilm blowback of an original ELCO drawing. I had a hard time reading it right from the file.

Al

[kurt]

Thank you again. I have a starting point now.

Kurt

[kurt]

so hopefully that will look something like this.

[Russ2146]

Could anyone explain how and when they used that thing?
I'm looking at it from the transportability angle and from that point of view, its a nightmare, with or without a boat sitting on it, unless the two widest members equal or exceed the width of the boat AND can support the weight of the assembly, with or without the boat, given a four point lift at the member ends.

Russ

[kurt]

I have these pics, the one boat is supposed to be 109. I have 2 or 3 other pictures but there too large to upload. I think the same cradle could be adapted for the 77 and 80 foot boats.

[alross2]

Al Ross

[Russ2146]

Al,

Thanks for those photos.
The first is what I was talking about. That's a four point lift but the angle of the wires from the cargo hook to the deck edge is not good and then over the deck edge to the frame shows an angle, so what you have is the weight of the boat and cradle "trying" the straighten that wire rope, which greatly increases the chance of damage to the deck edge.

In the second photo, the boat and cradle is tied down to the deck of the ship with wire rope and turnbuckle. Do you see the bend downward in the center of that cradle cross member? I'll bet they added supports under the cradlebefore the ship moved.

The third picture looks like the bulk of the A-frame has become steel box beam.

In the fourth picture, we have heavier yet I-beam cross members, they extend well beyond the hull of the boat and they're using spreader bars on the lifting cables. That rig is what was needed all along from the transport standpoint.

So it looks like there were two designs and pretty much continual upgrade of the materials used to construct the cradles.

[alross2]

Looking through the ELCO files, I found three alternate designs for the standard cradle, plus one specifically for the few boats experimentally fitted with the ELCOPLANE (last photo with the louvers on the hull side).

Al Ross

[kurt]

English Channel boats I'm thinking of converting the Italeri 596 boat to one of the English channel boats. I've always been more interested in the European Theatre than the Pacific (even though all my uncles served in the Pacific and my dad in Burma). I read Al's Coastal Forces material so I guess they were the later versions as opposed to the 103 version. The only photos I can find is the one view of 504, 503 and 518 boats from the stern and an unidentifed boat with a hugh star on her bow for any real details. Any one have any other pics or info? I have an extra 20mm Oerlikon if I need it.

Kurt

[Garth]

Kurt:

There are two books that would help you with that project, sir. The first is my book on building, detailing and converting the Italeri kit, there is a "chapter" in that book that deals with converting that kit into a mid-war 80-foot Elco. The second book isn't out yet, but will be soon, it looks at the Revell and the late Alex Johnson did a "chapter" in that book on how he used the Revell kit to build a RON 34 boat for the family of the boat's late skipper. It may be helpful to you.

That book is still at the publisher's copy editor though.

Garth

[Guest]

Thanks Garth,

I have your book and just flipped through it again. I will read it over again closely. Do you think it would be better to wait for the 109 kit to use as a base. From reading Al Ross' notes to build a boat like 504, or 518 I would be better with the 596 kit as a basis. I used to have his two volume books, but sadly no longer have them and now they want over a hundred dollars for a copy. Do you know of an info source that focuses on the Channel boats?

Kurt

[Garth]

OK ...

What I'd suggest and this is ONLY a suggestion ... Look at the article that Mr. Sobierski did in the Italeri book about the model of PT-556 - that one would probably be a help to you the best in that he did a lot of what you'd need to do to get to a RON 34 boat.

My late friend Alex Johnson did an article on how he built a model of PT-503 from the Revell kit in the Revell book (that isn't out yet).

Do you think, based on the fact that he used the Revell kit to do the 503 means that you would be better off with the new Italeri 109 kit? I dunno. The series of boats that you'd like to do - as Alex told - starting with PT-372 onwards had aspects of the earlier 80-footers and the later 80-footers, I am guessing that you can probably take parts from both Italeri kits and get a RON 34 boat ... but, remember, I'm not a modeler ...

Other sources? Go to www.ptboats.org and look through their LINKS page - I remember there being a site regarding to RON 34. Also, I would suggest that you visit www.navsource.org and look through their PT photos.

Does this help you?

Garth

[kurt]

Thanks again Garth, figures that some of the links I'm interested in no longer work. 518 was constucted in 1943 so I guess there are features of both types. I'll have to see what pics I can scare up.

Kurt

[Garth]

Kurt,

Go to www.ptboatworld.com and click on CONTACT US ... I might have some photos of the 518 that Alex Johnson sent me.

Garth

[Saxondog]

Revell has a kit of PT167 in the Black and White disruptive scheme. Has anyone painted this scheme and if so perhaps some pointers.I have two of the 1/32 scale PT109 Kits and wish to paint one in this scheme.

Any suggestions would be most helpful,I will be using and airbrush and want to capture this scheme in the best possible representation.

Thanks Blake

ELCO PT BOAT.jpg (21.02 KiB) Viewed 1605 times

[Cliffy B]

I've never painted it before but from looking at it you're best bet might be to simply spray the entire white and then use black decal stripes. It would save acres of tape and time spent masking. Find out how big the stripes are and look for some appropriately sized decals. If all else fails, you can always get some clear decal sheets and spray them black yourself, seal them, and then cut the stripes.

Hope that helps,
-Mike

[Garth]

I know that GatorMasks has the mask for the ADAPTOR scheme in 1:72 ... but I'm not quite sure if they have it in 1:35 ... you can check them out.

Garth

[alross2]

Converting a 103 series kit to 518 would entail a lot of unnecessary work compared to converting the 596 kit. The latter already has the correct forward turret position, necessary 40mm gun, and other items that can be easily modified. Here are the original ELCO drawings for this series:




These are dated 14OCT43 and show the original configuration. On the RON 34 boats, the aft 20mm was replaced with a 40mm MK3 and SO radar was fitted. Photos in the Channel show them in MS13.

Al Ross

[Garth]

Or, as I've said earlier ...

You could probably take some parts from the 596 kit, like the turrets, the stasrboard side bulkhead of the cockpit area, the 40mm and 20mm and its mount or put the 37mm gun on the MARK X and shorten it legs to make it a MARK XIV mount and somehow find another 37mm and another MARK X mount (and make it into a MARK XIV) as some of the RON 34 boats did mount two 37mm on their foredecks side by side.

Another part from the 596 kit that you could use is the engineroom hatch/air scoop.

There is one thing you would need to scratchbuild is the airfoil and its foldable frame that went over the cockpit - this was used to deflect wind - Mr. Sobierski made one for his model of PT-556, which appears in my Italeri book.

Garth

[Saxondog]

Thanks Guys,fortunately I live in Memphis,growing up in Germantown where the PT BOAT Museum is located,I think I will visit and see what information is available. It has been many years since I have been their,and since I ran my one complete Boat.

It is time for a fresh look,the details and the armament changes will be difficult but I have time.

Thanks,Blake