Revell PT-117 (work in progress)

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

Hi, all!

Well, following Hippy-Ed’s enthusiasm, I decided to join the PT boat GB.

I still have a Revell pt117 model I bought during the '90’s. There is still the price on the box : 249,- BEF (8,00 US$ or 6,25 €). The model in the box must be old, and I think, the same model was sold during the same years in some countries as PT109 and in other countries as PT117.

When I decided to join the GB, I bought White Ensign Models PE set 7205. There are fine details in this set, unfortunately, the price is something like 5 X the price I paid for the kit.

The set includes detailes instructions, but a 1/72 plan of the deck would have been helpful.

I decided to post the pictures in a photo album :

http://www.hmsvictoryscalemodels.be/PT117/index.html

This is the first plastic boat model I build with a PE set.

Step 1 : sanding, sanding, sanding.

Sanding the deck, sanding the torpedoes.

I can not bring much help yet, but I took some pictures of the parts of the kit. So, if you have sanded your deck, and you wonder where to put the PE parts, take a look at the pictures of the deck of the original model in my photo album.

I’ll keep you informed in this topic.

Thank you.

Michel

2

Sure am glad you joined up…that deck looks mighty fine!

3

Hey Michel, I’m glad that my enthusiasm got the better of you[;)] I know with my PT-109 it’s dated 1963 (on the bottom side of the deck, stbd side of the dayroom) it may be old but will be a fun build. Especially with the WEM sets[:D] Glad ya decided to join the G/B & feel free to email me with any questions. I might have some pics/ drawings that’ll help ya. I have several books on the PT-boats and such as this which may be of interest

4

Hey Michel, How’s the build coming along?

5

[8)] I’m still sanding (yeah, yeah, yeah).

http://www.hmsvictoryscalemodels.be/PT117/photos/photo16.html

Later today I’ll put some putty and, maybe tomorrow, polish the hull and apply a coat of white paint to see where fine sanding is still needed. Can you please tell me how is yours?

Michel

6

I’m still sanding away at the torp tubes & the deck Got it mostly sanded yet, have a few spots that are being [censored] difficult with me. I may have destroted a torp tube but, that happens… Got someone who might be casting some soon but, will see. If need be, I’ll go buy another PT boat…

7

You’re right, torpedo tubes are a problem, it would have been good to have resin ones available. But, I think, that we’ll have some more surprises with this kit and with the PE set. There are few informations available about this conversion.

Michel

8

Also, note, that I was happy with my Dremel sander (not the rotary tool) to sand the deck.

Michel

9

I know what ya mean, The instructions aren’t very clear but hey, I think we can figure them out if we put our heads together on it. What are you having problems with?

10

If you guys can come together with a good torpedo tube, I can cast it in resin…and all 4 of mine are up for grabs, as I won’t be using them at all.

greg

11

I’m going to take a slightly different approach for upgrading the tubes. I shared this with Eddie the other day.

  • Use the torpedo cover from the kit. Glue the two kit halves together and then saw off the cover.
  • Use the right size plastic tubing for the tube itself.
  • Use the WEM tube clamping rings/mountings but use some plastic stock to fill in as they are on the real tube mounts.
  • I don’t like the WEM solution for the breech. I’m going to try and fabricate a master for the torpedo tube breach plate on the rear of the tube. Then I’ll cast the breech in resin. I think I can get something together with some tube stock, plastic stock, and part 9 and tightening screws from the WEM set. This could be a disaster in the making! [;)]
  • The firing mechanism on top of the breech plate will come from the kit.

We’ll see how this works.

Dave

12

Dave, keep us appraised of your experiment. If we see a mushroom cloud in your vicinity we’ll know you did something[;)]

13

Well, I added some filler to the deck (few needed) and the torpedo tubes (more work involved) :

http://www.hmsvictoryscalemodels.be/PT117/photos/photo17.html

And, today, sprayed a coat of white paint to see if some sanding/filling job was still necessary :

http://www.hmsvictoryscalemodels.be/PT117/photos/photo18.html

Michel

14

You are coming along nicely on this Michel[:)] I still haven’t gotten that far yet[:I] I’m still sanding away[:(]

15

Some pictures added :

http://www.hmsvictoryscalemodels.be/PT117/index.html

I am slow, but careful, especially with PE parts.

Michel

16

Looking good there! She’s really starting to come together.

greg

17

Better to be slow & careful than fast [^] Lookin’ good Michel. I’m slowly working on mine

18

Hi, there!

Some pictures added :

general view of the deck, to see the evolution of the assembly :

http://www.hmsvictoryscalemodels.be/PT117/photos/photo27.html

next picture to ask you what comes here? there is no part provided to put in the hole, and I can see no picture showing what comes here :

http://www.hmsvictoryscalemodels.be/PT117/photos/photo28.html

and this picture, showing that I removed the gimmick of a horn provided in the kit, now I just have to build one. White paint shows where filler must be applied and which parts still need some sanding. Otherwise, this would not be easy to see, the kit being modeld in a dark plastic.

http://www.hmsvictoryscalemodels.be/PT117/photos/photo29.html

White Ensign Models PE parts are top quality, extremely precise, though be careful. There are two sheets of brass provided : one thin, and a larger one, of strong brass. Be extremely careful with the parts of the thin brass sheet : once glued, if you want to remove them, they will be warped, and unusable.

It would have been good if some manufacturer could have provided resin parts for this kit : the horn, the 3 air vents, the machine guns,…

Thank you.

Michel

19

Check the model railroad side of the hobby shop. Look for a HO scale single chime air horn. That is what I did & it looks good

20

Excellent progress Michel. The photoetch really looks good!

Bruce