"AMT" PT 109

[tcoat]

After my Berge build I need a nice and simple project to tide me over to the 2024 GBs. Luckily my Brother in Law gave me this kit for Christmas last weekend. It will fit the bill perfectly.

This is the recent Round 2 made kit marked as AMT which is actually the Lindberg kit that started life in 1953 as an Olin one! Yes the molds for this kit are 70 years old! It is old school "box scale" of 1/64 and seriously inaccurate in any single detail. Not the least being that as it was intended to be motorized back in the 60's there is one prop and rudder. This is only 33% of what there should be.  
All that said I don't care about accuracy because I doubt JFK is going to show up and tell me what is wrong. I will add a few minor details but the bulk of this will be OOB with my usual focus on paint and weathering to fool the eye into believing there is detail. 

So here is what we have to work with.













I will be mounting it underway in "water" so the lack of detail on the bottom means nothing. The rest... welll...

[handiabled]

I'll be watching this to see what magic you perform on it!

[tcoat]

Let's start with something relatively easy but will make a huge difference.

Cut out the faint outlines that were supposed to be windows.




The 3/8th inch diameter sprue attachments proclaim the age of the molds.

[Green KreationZ]

This is going to be really cool! I love these patrol boats.

[tcoat]

Dec 10, 2023 16:35:40 GMT -5 Green KreationZ said:

This is going to be really cool! I love these patrol boats.

This kit is closer to being a toy than a model and any semblance to the real boats seems to be more by accident than design. Purists would have a meltdown but I am OK with it. Going to attempt to keep the scratch building to a minimum though as nothing is ever going to make this "accurate" anyway.

[kyledehart5]

Lol. This is the kind of project I can get behind. I love watching purists meltdown. No, but seriously, I’m sure you’ll end up with a pretty cool result once it’s all said and done. Accidental boat shapes notwithstanding.

[tcoat]

Dec 10, 2023 19:52:43 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Lol. This is the kind of project I can get behind. I love watching purists meltdown. No, but seriously, I’m sure you’ll end up with a pretty cool result once it’s all said and done. Accidental boat shapes notwithstanding.

Yep. Any references I use for this one will be purely to see how far the kit is off. It will be a simple "almost" PT boat with some close enough parts added so it isn't just all plain flat surfaces. Just a fun filler build anyway.

[kyledehart5]

Dec 10, 2023 20:38:33 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Dec 10, 2023 19:52:43 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Lol. This is the kind of project I can get behind. I love watching purists meltdown. No, but seriously, I’m sure you’ll end up with a pretty cool result once it’s all said and done. Accidental boat shapes notwithstanding.

Yep. Any references I use for this one will be purely to see how far the kit is off. It will be a simple "almost" PT boat with some close enough parts added so it isn't just all plain flat surfaces. Just a fun filler build anyway.

oh yeah. Nice to do simple and fun from time to time. Looking forward to it.

[tcoat]

OK This is going on hold until after Christmas. I inadvertently packed up all my scratch build material and it is buried in Christmas decoration boxes. Yes we have a whole room pack floor to ceiling with Christmas decorations. As this kit needs a fair bit of busy parts to even pass as a simple build it will just have to wait.

[406 Silverado]

Dec 11, 2023 19:07:51 GMT -5 tcoat said:

OK This is going on hold until after Christmas. I inadvertently packed up all my scratch build material and it is buried in Christmas decoration boxes. Yes we have a whole room pack floor to ceiling with Christmas decorations. As this kit needs a fair bit of busy parts to even pass as a simple build it will just have to wait.

I definitely feel your pain brother. It's a miracle that none of the stuff that's in the living room has bled over into the spare room/ modeling room. Fingers crossed that it doesn't make it there.
The cool meter is definitely pointing towards awesome on this build Tony.

[atomicholiday]

I love your idea for this build. Just keeping it simple and having a good time. It's basically how we all started.
Looking forward to this one.

[tcoat]

Dec 12, 2023 6:26:53 GMT -5 atomicholiday said:

I love your idea for this build. Just keeping it simple and having a good time. It's basically how we all started.
Looking forward to this one.

The additions I want to make will still be very simple but there is just no way I can in good conscious move foward without them. 

The helm area is a great example.

The kit has a smooth flat surface that the poor helmsman can hardly even see over. There isn't even an attempt at the day cabin door.





It should look like this







Since I plan to keep it basic I will not be trying to duplicate everything as the drawing shows but at least give a hint it is there.

Another issue I have are the machine guns. I can live with the fact they are grossly overscale but those massively over sized mounts that leave no room for an actual gunner have to go. 










These are very easy changes to make but I need my stuff!

[atomicholiday]

Looks like the poor guys been shot in the back!😁

[tcoat]

Dec 12, 2023 9:41:53 GMT -5 atomicholiday said:

Looks like the poor guys been shot in the back!😁

LOL.. Anybody that grew up building the old Lindberg, Renwal or Aurora kits will know that gapping holes in the back seem to be the standard of the day. Other than the obvious these figures are actually pretty nice considering the molds are probably older than me!

[brandonk]

I've always thought having one of these to build up would be cool. Looking at what you are working with makes be take a step back and understand you've got your work cut out for ya. Good kit to work up and detail up and it should come out looking like a million dollars in your capable hands.

[tcoat]

Dec 12, 2023 10:27:07 GMT -5 brandonk said:

I've always thought having one of these to build up would be cool. Looking at what you are working with makes be take a step back and understand you've got your work cut out for ya. Good kit to work up and detail up and it should come out looking like a million dollars in your capable hands.

I am only going to shoot for $1000 on this one. Trying to avoid the detailing spiral.

[stikpusher]

Maybe somebody in 3D printing can come up with replacement detail items for your PT project.

[tcoat]

Dec 12, 2023 13:24:51 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Maybe somebody in 3D printing can come up with replacement detail items for your PT project.

The little bit I want I can make up once I can get to my supplies. 

Greeblies ROCK!

[dukemaddog]

This is awesome to watch! If you want, I'll take the oversized armament off your hands; I have a few ideas that they would work for.

Just a crazy thought.

[M1Carbine]

Looks like the guy took a 20mm to the spine. Looking forward to see what you are going to do here Tcoat.

-Bob

[reserve]

OOB eh? Simple eh? Can't fool me you're as warped as the rest of us

[tcoat]

Dec 13, 2023 6:51:31 GMT -5 reserve said:

OOB eh? Simple eh? Can't fool me you're as warped as the rest of us

I should have looked closer before committing to the project. Sorta knew going into it I would need to add a little but the scope kept expanding on me as I looked closer. 

[themongoose]

I was shocked at how few parts there were! Totally understand not being able to move forward without the scratch building supplies 😃definitely a necessity. I totally see this getting out of hand in the new year 🤣

[406 Silverado]

Dec 12, 2023 7:49:17 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Dec 12, 2023 6:26:53 GMT -5 atomicholiday said:

I love your idea for this build. Just keeping it simple and having a good time. It's basically how we all started.
Looking forward to this one.

The additions I want to make will still be very simple but there is just no way I can in good conscious move foward without them. 

The helm area is a great example.

The kit has a smooth flat surface that the poor helmsman can hardly even see over. There isn't even an attempt at the day cabin door.

   Right you are about the hole in the back being the standard of the day. I haven't seen it in a while but it took me back to the days of building as a kid and simply just painting the poor guy (hole and all) and calling it done. Looking forward to seeing you on this one again when you get to it Tony.

[tcoat]

Dec 14, 2023 6:56:42 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Dec 12, 2023 7:49:17 GMT -5 tcoat said:

The additions I want to make will still be very simple but there is just no way I can in good conscious move foward without them. 

The helm area is a great example.

The kit has a smooth flat surface that the poor helmsman can hardly even see over. There isn't even an attempt at the day cabin door.

   Right you are about the hole in the back being the standard of the day. I haven't seen it in a while but it took me back to the days of building as a kid and simply just painting the poor guy (hole and all) and calling it done. Looking forward to seeing you on this one again when you get to it Tony.

As a kid we were very poor so getting kits was hard enough and paint was a write off. I would use paint by numbers oil paints instead. I would deal with those figures with the holes (almost always in the back) by filling the hole with paint. I bet some of them still have not dried almost 60 years later!

[chromdome35]

Dec 12, 2023 7:49:17 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Dec 12, 2023 6:26:53 GMT -5 atomicholiday said:

I love your idea for this build. Just keeping it simple and having a good time. It's basically how we all started.
Looking forward to this one.

Another issue I have are the machine guns. I can live with the fact they are grossly overscale but those massively over sized mounts that leave no room for an actual gunner have to go. 

You are certainly doing this old kit justice. I've looked at this kit in Hobby Lobby, but haven't pulled to trigger.

Do you (or anyone) know a source for aftermarket high quality dual .50's in 1/35?

[tcoat]

Dec 14, 2023 9:10:40 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

Dec 12, 2023 7:49:17 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Another issue I have are the machine guns. I can live with the fact they are grossly overscale but those massively over sized mounts that leave no room for an actual gunner have to go. 

You are certainly doing this old kit justice. I've looked at this kit in Hobby Lobby, but haven't pulled to trigger.

Do you (or anyone) know a source for aftermarket high quality dual .50's in 1/35?

To be honest, if looking for any sort of accuracy, or wanting to detail up to a high level I would pass this by. It is literally a toy that has to be assembled not really a model. Fine for my plans but almost useless for much more.

Don't think you could get much nicer than this in 1/35.  Actually finding some is a different matter though!

[chromdome35]

Dec 14, 2023 9:21:02 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Dec 14, 2023 9:10:40 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

You are certainly doing this old kit justice. I've looked at this kit in Hobby Lobby, but haven't pulled to trigger.

Do you (or anyone) know a source for aftermarket high quality dual .50's in 1/35?

To be honest, if looking for any sort of accuracy, or wanting to detail up to a high level I would pass this by. It is literally a toy that has to be assembled not really a model. Fine for my plans but almost useless for much more.

Don't think you could get much nicer than this in 1/35.  Actually finding some is a different matter though!

I'm not familiar with the evolution of the dual .50's would that one be appropriate for a Vietnam-era vehicle?

[tcoat]

Dec 14, 2023 11:06:00 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

Dec 14, 2023 9:21:02 GMT -5 tcoat said:

To be honest, if looking for any sort of accuracy, or wanting to detail up to a high level I would pass this by. It is literally a toy that has to be assembled not really a model. Fine for my plans but almost useless for much more.

Don't think you could get much nicer than this in 1/35.  Actually finding some is a different matter though!

I'm not familiar with the evolution of the dual .50's would that one be appropriate for a Vietnam-era vehicle?

Depends on your use I would think. Mounts would depend upon their use as much as anything so there is variation even back then.

PBR with guns mounted close together very much like the set above. Appears to have feed tubes and a spent cartridge collector(?) in the middle though




PBR Mark 2 with wider spaced center feed guns.


Judging by the uniform below the setup from the resin kit has been around a long long time. Once they found a mount that works there wouldn't be a pile of evolution. 

[chromdome35]

Thank you! I appreciate your taking time to answer.