Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3, 1941

[Rhino]

Gently scribing and removing the blanks I put in between the tanks to vent the mold went pretty well! The old Allis generator cast well.

The round downs were cast on a framework to make best use of the little mold. Remove the orange colored sections and fit on on either end of the dock. Robert's your Uncle, Fannie's your Aunt, Pontoon Floating drydock!!

I will post Our engagement details on the Plastic Surgeon meeting thread for interested parties!

 

[Rhino]

I put a model together! Yes friends, all 3 parts of the pontoon floating drydock.

One of the Higgins LCPL's equipped with an SCR-517 radar.
"Skulking around in the dark in shallow water, Chief?"
"No sir, Lieutenant. That vessel there is for training and rescue duties, Sir."

I was on a roll, so I put the YR Barge together too! Bollards and floating dock for small craft. SCR-517 radar antenna for tuning and testing repaired units. An SO-A antenna will also be added. The Elco 80-footer goes in PT boat set A. She is pictured for reference.

This encompasses the contents of TLAR Models Set 112D. The '39 Barrel-back runabout Master is getting a makeover. I was unsatisfied with the profile of her stern. Vickie's Runabout Racer Master got a little more attention too.
Thanks again for looking in!

 

[Rhino]

"You shoulda seen it in COLOR!!................"



Special thanks to Mile High Ship Model Club president David Waples for his assistance with the pontoon floating drydock references.
I could not have done the "Do-Over" without his help. The Allis generator will be orange. Clear coat and some washes and she will be ready for box art photos.
Likewise, the YR barge is sprayed with details left to pick out. The little crane and the tower for the SO radar antenna next.

"PT green for the up-gunned Elco 80-footer. I think my roll-off torpedo racks are a tad too tall. I know the 40mm Bofors barrel is too long, but it looks suitably menacing and I'm going with it! The little guys are Blue Ridge Hobby's 1/700 Higgins LCPL landing craft. Mine are waterline models. They come with the forward .30 caliber machine gun mounts covered. The boat with the radar has her forward mounts drilled out.

I went "Old School" with Floquil and Model Master enamel paints. When you shoot 3 drops at a time, Paint lasts a LONG time!

I was up early this morning and I've had LOTS of coffee! Kin ya teyell?
I did LOTS of minute modeling! Well, I sorta usually do.

 

[moon puppy]

those torpedoes do stand tall don't they?

 

[Rhino]

those torpedoes do stand tall don't they?

That they do. A little .015 strip would have been plenty. These would be dandy hanging from a P-boat or Mariner's wings.

 

[Rhino]

The PT Boats of TLAR Models set 112A are finished! What you see here is the contents of the kit. No hull number or flag decals.

C/A gluing a bit of .0125 wire into a ventilator makes a convincing SCR-517 radar after it is trimmed and sanded round. Easier than trying chop off and glue up a torpedo.

BUT WAIT! There's MORE!

 

[Rhino]

Finished parts of TLAR Models set 112D. 1/700 Pontoon 130-ton Floating Drydock and Radar Barge. They gray paint has a blue hue to it in the pictures, but It is Gray! I hoped I trashed the drydock enough. It is a tool. It should look shop-worn. The YR barge should be pretty well kept from the deck up. I haven't put any plants in the tomato garden yet.

This is the contents of the kit, without the PT Boat lower hull plate in the picture. The box art will be prettier than this, but you get the idea.
Thanks again for looking in again and again and again!
See you all in Omaha tomorrow!!

 

[moon puppy]

Travel safe!

 

[Rhino]

Pouring RTV on the final molds for the PT Boat base set tonight. Carl Musselman gave me some interesting Battlefleet models bits. I included a few in the mold. I cain't sell them, but they make cute little bonuses! Sunday morning's castings will tell the tale! (NO! I won't "Rush the Chemicals" again! My 200-ton pontoon floating drydock may yet see the light of day!

Now, What do you suppose I should do with a free resin 1/350 scale Elco 80-footer? Chop it up for an Elco 77-foot boat? 1/350 PTF hull?
Look through the bars of the asylum to see what The Lunatic does next!!!
Thanks again for looking in!!

 

[centaur567]

Wow!! That came out really nice. Gary S.

 

[moon puppy]

most excellent!

 

[Rhino]

Clyde, fix the bottom of the Boat.

Clyde, scrap the deck houses and gun turrets.

Clyde, hack 3 feet of Her stern and install the wood deck.

I was planning to make this Boat. I didn't really think it would be TODAY. Behold the power of COFFEE!!!
The rest of the parts for this vessel might take a leeetle longer to make.
(They're coming to take me away, Ha ha. They're coming to take me away, HO ho!................)
Did you hear that?!
What's that noise?!?

 

[Rhino]

Casting 40ml of resin this morning.
Drum roll, Please!

Docks and Piers mold cast nicely. The 5th and final element to the PT Boat Base project. I don't know what to do with the huge LP tank, but I had room in the mold, sooo.................

The new 200-ton pontoon floating drydock mold cast really well.

1950 Chris Craft Racing Runabout and '39 Chris Craft Barrelback Runabout are big improvements over the original castings. The LCPL "convertible" came out good! Remember the old Monogram UDT boat model kit? Not quite the same and 35 times smaller. I'm not sure about my rubber boat yet.

The rest of a successful 40ml cast.
Thanks again for looking in!

 

[moon puppy]

Sweet job!

 

[Rhino]

Box art photos. PT's arranged by length. 77 to 80 feet.

 

[moon puppy]

Looks like they are ready for an attack run. Really nice Chris, well done!

 

[Rhino]

Looks like they are ready for an attack run. Really nice Chris, well done!

Thanks Bob!

I posted this new TLAR Models set on Hobby Swap tonight.

TLAR Models Kit #122E contains assorted wood-planked resin cast docks, piers and a small floating dock. A dandy Base accessory set for use with all 1/700 US Navy or US Coast Guard small craft. Fishing boats? Trawlers? Sailing ships? Civil War Ironclads?
The only limit is your imagination!

One might think this set would compliment 1/350 model ships as well. Look it over and see what you think!

Thanks again for looking in!!

 

[moon puppy]

Looks good, I could see a nice Liberty ship surrounded by the TLAR squadron of boats and stuff. Maybe the Minnow coming up along side when she was serving as a NZ coastal watch launch? Now if I could only build it.

There's the ticket, an armed Minnow pre Gilligan.

 

[Rhino]

Looks good, I could see a nice Liberty ship surrounded by the TLAR squadron of boats and stuff. Maybe the Minnow coming up along side when she was serving as a NZ coastal watch launch? Now if I could only build it.

There's the ticket, an armed Minnow pre Gilligan.

I know I sent you an SS Minnow. She is ONE PIECE!! Not much to "Build", Silly! Good luck finding the teensy sumbitch after the move!!

TLAR Models 1/700 US Navy PT Boat set is done! I struggle writing instructions. I do NOT seem to struggle writing much else!

 

[moon puppy]

Good luck finding the teensy sumbitch after the move!!

I actually eyeballed it the other day.