Dave's PT Boat - Build Log

[bpgeygolpher]

I then had to bend the rail pieces and glue the uprights in place.

Rails finally done.

[bpgeygolpher]

Next were the 50cal machine guns. I did end up using wire for the core of the barrels.

[bpgeygolpher]

20 MM antiaircraft gun. Once again I did use either wire or dowels for the core of the barrel, I don't remember which.

[bpgeygolpher]

Torpedo firing charge tubes. This is a free update available at ecardmodels.com. No issues with these.

Last but certainly not least the reason for the boat, torpedoes.

Once again I used dowels for the core of the torpedoes. With the exception of an allignment issue everything went as expected. The forward straps are narrower than the rears but the placement lines on the torpedo tubes at the front are the same distance apart as the rear lines. I tried to place the front straps centered between the lines and to be honest it was hardly noticeable, especially to my 6 year old Grandson.

[bpgeygolpher]

I am sorry I did not get photos of the completed torpedoes before I installed them.

Here are the torpedoes in place. I obviously need assistance making domes. In retrospect, I probably should have printed the torpedo domes on to 20# paper rather than using the 65# stuff. Sometimes, less is more than enough.

[bpgeygolpher]

The completed model.

I was remiss in not telling you what weight papers I used. For the majority of the boat I used 65# stock. I used 110# stock for the hull skin and probably should have used it for some of the deck pieces. For the small fiddly parts I used 20#.

As I said at the outset, this boat was a gift for my Grandson. I had the joy of building it and he enjoyed playing with it until too many parts fell off. A win-win for both of us.

I highly recommend this model. If I can build it, anyone can.

Paul.

[bpgeygolpher]

FYI these are pics of the boat in it's shipping container.

I placed the stand under the boat and managed to wedge the boat into the carton on the stand. I then put a "strap over the deck near the front, and a wedge of wood at the back to prevent the boat from rising in the carton during shipping. I told my son to open the carton from the bottom when he received it, remove the stand, and gently, using the edges of the deck pull either the front or rear upward, the boat should then come straight out of the carton upside down.

[darter]

Simply fabulous. You did a marvelous job building that boat.
I appreciated the diversions from paper when called for, such as the plastic railings.
Sometimes no matter how hard someone tries to make certain parts from paper they always end up looking not as good as they could have if a different media was used.
Once again, good on you for such a fine build and thanks for sharing.

[MichaelS]

Necessity is a Mutha!!


Great idea. Consider yerself plagarized....

[Kevin WS]

Excellent build - and I enjoyed all your notes and explanations.