by Mark Gloor
1/32 PT-109 (Lindberg)
This is the second vessel I ever did (the first was an aircraft carrier with at least 40 planes), and has been in a display case off my kitchen for the past 13 years but did it about 5 years before that. It was possible to be a R/C which I did not do, and had below-deck construction area for batteries and the drive-shaft was metal.
Most of the grey, deck and hull at least, is Testor's primer grey, from the small can, nowadays I would decant that for an airbrush use, most likely. I actually like that grey for US Navy Gray. And was real proud then of the white t-shirts on the crew as well as the .45 on the hip of the Lt. which you can not see in these pics. Blue pants on crew is Pactra's Navy Blue. Loved Pactra paints.
Attempted to do a long radio antenna that did not come with the kit that could have been thinner on the top.
The instrument panel was a decal. I visited Battleship Cove, Fall River, Massachusetts about a year after doing this model. They have three full-size PT boats there and many models, and this model I did was as nice as their lowest-quality model on display, also done in grey and in fact was this exact kit. I realize it should more accurately be mangrove-area camo but I did it according to the painting instructions. The internet has made research for models much easier, as we all know.
I would do many things differently with this model if I were to do it again. Most of my modeling experience prior had been aircraft, until I did Heller's 11-inch-long Jean Bart French Salvage vessel, about 6 years ago, and learned ships was where it's at. Much more interesting.
The Jean Bart has had some spreader damage that needs to be repaired before it can be filmed (again).
