Patrol Torpedo Boat PT-579/588 (Revell 1:72)

[pjgtech]

My next build, a nice little boat. A Revell model kit in 1:72 scale. The Patrol Torpedo Boat (PT).

I was originally looking for a German E-boat, but apparently very hard to come by?
I actually had one (a German E-boat) about 10 years ago, when I thought I might start model building again at that time, but it never happened and I think I gave it away to a charity shop when we moved along with a load of other stuff. [Doh!]

So next best thing is this one. Same type of boat. Think I'm gonna keep this one simple, not so much of the weathering effects, concentrate on a good building technique instead.

Some pics:

[pjgtech]

Some pics of the sprues, I seem to have two sets of two sprues, not sure if they are spares or I do actually need two sets, have not gone through the instructions yet..... Some pics

[Jim R]

Great kit for christening the new modelling room. Watching with interest.

[Ian M]

Cool. A boat :-)
The old Airfix E-boat still pops up once in a while, also there are a few new versions from the East that build very nicely.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

I seem to have two sets of two sprues, not sure if they are spares or I do actually need two sets

Not spares. The kit will give you various options depending on which variant you choose to make.

[pjgtech]

Ok, slow start today.... put the hull together, seemed to go together well, (I have heard horror stories about the poor fit of Revell kits!)
No huge gaps and seemed to fit together quite easily, helped by the bulkhead across the middle.

Debated whether to paint the hull and deck separately, but have decided I will tape up each section to paint after firstly priming the whole thing.
So have now stuck the deck onto the hull, with judicious use of masking tape, as the deck was slightly warped (upwards), so needed holding down whilst it set.

Onwards.... ?

[Waspie]

Not dissimilar to watching a Sunseekers Gin Palace going together!!!!! Just without the fumes from the resins!!

[pjgtech]

Also had my first proper use of my new Tamiya model drill as I needed to drill several 1mm holes through the deck on this model.
The drill coped great, drilled out all the holes quickly and easily, and it left very little mess, swarf behind. I'm liking that little drill. ?

[Waspie]

I do like a good FAC go together. Is this the same version JFK was credited with manning?

[pjgtech]

I do like a good FAC go together. Is this the same version JFK was credited with manning?

FAC? I'm assuming Fast Attack Craft or similar? No idea about JFK sorry, but it is a sceptic boat, yep. ?

[Waspie]

Spot on with FAC. A quick google showed JFK’s boat as PT109 manufatured by Elco. (Electric Boat Company, Bayonne, New Jersey. This boat was built same place but no mention of it being the same class. (Although to me, they look similar).

[papa 695]

Nice start Peter.

[pjgtech]

So primed the main hull and deck today, then started painting the bottom half of the hull, a sort of dull red.

Took my time with the masking, ended up using a Hobby Craft masking tape, which came in a pack with three different rolls, all different thickness, I think they were 6mm, 4mm and 2mm wide. My local model shop reckoned its as good as the Tamiya masking tape, (and cheaper) and its sold at a lot of the model shows, and he says he's never had any negative feedback, but then, he would wouldn't he, so we'll see.....

1st coat on the lower hull very patchy, as rough a badgers you know what.......but I know the 2nd and 3rd coats (and maybe a 4th coat) will slowly be better, each thin coat smoother than the next and the brush strokes should slowly disappear.
Slowly slowly and all that......,

I don't know if its the few hours every day I spend model making, or the current diet that I'm on, (lost about 20lbs so far) but my blood pressures been good, going down last couple of weeks! ? Some more pics.....

[pjgtech]

Ok, nuther little update....
Put 2nd coat on the lower hull, starting to smooth out, much less patchy, bit darker....

Then put 3rd coat on the lower hull, now much darker and brush strokes, (almost) gone.
Debating whether to put on another coat, will see what its dried like in the morning.

Also started on some of the sub structures and the torpedoes, ready for priming.

And finally today, made the stand and applied some transfers...

[scottie3158]

Peter,
chair pulled up I will follow along.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Well done Peter. Just a word of caution. Make sure you let the various coats of primer and paint dry properly before you apply the next coat or you may cause yourself a problem. Although it may feel touch dry it really needs to cure. I think you are using acrylics. These may be touch dry after 1 hr but the recommended time to leave them between coats is 8-12 hours. It looks like you have put primer and 3 coats on in less than 16 hrs. I would hate to see something go wrong, ie removing masking tape and pulling half the paint off etc. Also if you apply wet paint onto paint that hasn't dried properly i think it literally softens the previous coat and can lift and drag the paint which will have an adverse effect on the overall finish. JMO.

[pjgtech]

Well done Peter. Just a word of caution. Make sure you let the various coats of primer and paint dry properly before you apply the next coat or you may cause yourself a problem. Although it may feel touch dry it really needs to cure. I think you are using acrylics. These may be touch dry after 1 hr but the recommended time to leave them between coats is 8-12 hours. It looks like you have put primer and 3 coats on in less than 16 hrs. I would hate to see something go wrong, ie removing masking tape and pulling half the paint off etc. Also if you apply wet paint onto paint that hasn't dried properly i think it literally softens the previous coat and can lift and drag the paint which will have an adverse effect on the overall finish. JMO.

Hmm, ok thanx and noted....
But I'm an impatient person, Lol, just wanna get it done! ?
Will see what its like in the morning..... and will allow more time between coats....

[Waspie]

You’ll have to tame that impatience. I rushed on a previous build. My next question on here was - ‘how do you remove paint?’. (Which using the advice given on here took my build back to bare plastic and yet another lesson learned.) Sage advice from Steve. No rushie!!!!! You know it makes sense! :-)