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Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3, 1941
- Thread starter Rhino
- Start date
Almost looks like you know what you're doing with that stuff! 
Rhino
Super Moderator
I decided to build a 77-footer. Drilling the deck ventilators requires a #70 bit so the resin parts will fit. They aren't easy to hang on to, but patience will yield satisfying results.
The Gloucester Lobster boat called to me as well. This nav. radar dish is too big.
Thanks for looking in!
Rhino
Super Moderator
Resin parts of the 77-footer in place. I hope a white topcoat will lighten the 1941 combat OD on the horizontal surfaces.
TIP: 1/700 Ventilators are a might fiddley to install. Use Paul's tweezer tune-up before you attempt. These took flight without provocation and make no sound when they land. One of the torpedo tubes did the same thing, but most of the vents were found during the unsuccessful hunt for the errant torpedo tube.
Such is Life in a dinky scale PT world.
Thanks again for looking in!
She looks great, amazing detail in there!
Rhino
Super Moderator
The first paint is truly the "Proof in the Pudding" for mold, master and casting. I am well pleased with how this process turned out. A little (?!?) dry-brushing a lighter green on the horizontal surfaces should finish the finish.
PEE twin .50's and mast. Clear flat after that. No, really! Watch and see!
I can't imagine applying tiny boat number decals for all 6 boats of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3. If they were printed on blue decal backing paper, a guy might have a shot at being able to see them.
NOOOO!! MAKE THE BAD MAN STOP!!!
Rhino
Super Moderator
Busy Hands are Happy Hands. With another funeral coming up Wednesday and family here from New York, it is important no to wallow. 
Molds poured for PT weps, generator trailer, SA-332, improved Loose Cannon Higgin's 78" PT, The rest of the boats in the PT Set and tents for the Pacific PT base. These are under pressure until tomorrow morning at this writing.
Molds poured for PT weps, generator trailer, SA-332, improved Loose Cannon Higgin's 78" PT, The rest of the boats in the PT Set and tents for the Pacific PT base. These are under pressure until tomorrow morning at this writing.
I know this might be silly question but have you see this?
HyperWar: At Close Quarters: PT Boats in the U.S. Navy
'At Close Quarters: PT Boats in the U.S. Navy', by Capt. Robert J. Bulkley, Jr., USNR (ret.)
www.ibiblio.org
Rhino
Super Moderator
The complex PT mold does it's job nicely. Meticulous "tooling" is required to make sure all the tiny air bubbles get relieved from every cavity.
1941 Elco 77" PT Higgins late war 78-foot PT Late war Elco 80 foot boat
1/700 PT Boat set resin parts are complete.
For Waterline model builders that wish to make John F. Kennedy's PT-59 or PT-61 "Barge Buster" gun boats, extra 40mm cannon are available.
Unpictured masts, 20 & 37mm cannons and twin .50 guns are PEE bits. 40mm cannon barrels are turned brass.
Base facilities continue to vex me, as I continue to think up new bits PT Boat officers, men and Seabee's might have in a forward area.
LCVP's, graders and bulldozers are available from Skywave. Thank the Lord I don't have make those too!!
Thanks again for looking in again and again!!
Rhino
Super Moderator
I usually build the model before I "build" the kit. The 77-footer only has 3 metal parts. Instructions won't be very complex. I never appreciated the Higgin's PT's armament before. They are a shit-storm of AA fire for any way-faring enemy aircraft!
Woe indeed to the hapless Jap barge or small vessel that happens upon these two boats in the dark!
Rhino
Super Moderator
Completed PT Boat base accessories. Unless I dream up something else to add, because that NEVER happens.
Plenty of tents, modified Skywave Quonset huts, water/fuel tank, palletized 55 gallon drums, trucks, generator and only 1 Jeep?
A very observant man might notice an Opel ambulance and a '47 Land Rover LWB. Never underestimate how resourceful Naval personnel can be!
On to the next bit of Morning miniature madness!!
Tiki bar III on her generous deck, with the storage shed for additional supplies. See pictured what come in the kit. Adding railings to the deck could be advisable!
Tiki bar II. 2 big fridgies and a mahogany bar. The Seabee's donated 1940 Ford pick-up is included for "running errands" didn't make the picture. BUT WAIT! There's MORE!!
Rhino
Super Moderator
Ingenious PT Boat men will scrounge up almost any weapon to improve the firepower of their boats! See here the finished Elco 77 foot PT kit contents. (If you really want a 9-pounder for your PT model, I can speak to the manager.)
The twin p/e machine guns might be just a titch over scale, but they look deadly! I attached mine with c/a glue. Future works almost as well and gives you more time to aim them the way you want.
Gloucester Lobster boat in color. The UHF whip antenna will be fashioned from a cat's whisker. A little more fine tuning to do with Her finish, but you can see where I was going with Her.
It is my intention to get instructions and box art done for these 3 TLAR sets in time for the National Show.
Is that enough for one Saturday morning? I hope so!
Thanks again and again for looking in again..... and again..... and again....................
Rhino
Super Moderator
The Higgins 78' got her start tonight. The deck ventilators are very bit as enrgetic on the Higgins PT as the were on the 77' Elco boat. It took 11 vents to attach 6 to the boat. Orange sharpie helped pick out the center of the 37mm cannon base for drilling. Putting the brass barrel in the 40mm was a breeze! I hope to get as close to the US Navy 20H camouflage as I can in this scale.
After I thought I had all the base facility bits I wanted, I found a picture of Mios Woendi in 1944. An 80-foot PT was having hull maintenance done in a pontoon drydock at Camp Taylor (far right). References for the 132-ton floating pontoon drydock are scarce.
SEE!?!
Now I have to make the pontoon drydock too!!
See what The Bad Man makes me do!!
It just never stops!!
Duke Maddog
Well-known member
Dude, this is gonna be fun to watch! I couldn't see the pontoon drydock since the pic was so small. I'm going to enjoy watching this come together.
Rhino
Super Moderator
The Bats in my 1/700 scale belfry? Bugger all!
Heavens Eagle
Well-known member
You are "batting" 1000 with these wee beasties Chris!
