Italeri 1/35 ELCO 80' Torpedo Boat PT-596 - IPMS Santa Rosa

Italeri 1/35 ELCO 80’ Torpedo BoatPT-596

The entire kit 322 parts on 6 trees.Thekit comes with PE and 2 aluminumgun barrels

The hull is a beautiful one piece mold

Armed with an array of referencematerial, I am ready to go to work

Eduard aftermarket PE

Aftermarket Archer Dry Transfers

True Details U.S. Flags

10 Warriors (Squadron) PT BoatFigures

Aftermarket Hornet Heads were usedon all figures

Kit included photographic reference

Reference includes B&W WWII photos

Full color painting directions

A sturdy basswood cradle was madeto build the boat on

Assembly Manual

Kit parts inventory

Parts inventory

Step 1: Deck assembly, open allindicated holes

Step1: Holes drilled

Step 2: Place PE deck window framesand bridge deck

Step 2: Frames and bridge deckinstalled

Step 2: Bridge deck required a bit ofshimming with some strip styrene to fitproperly

Step 2: Deck painted with first coat.Note, I have installed all of the deckfittings that I felt I could, and still nothinder the build. Most of these partswould have been installed on futuresteps.

Step 2: Interior of hull was painted FlatBlack so nothing can be seen thrudeck cabin windows

Step 3: Bridge and turret assembly

Step 3: Basic Cockpit assembled

Step 3: Basic turret

Step3: Cabin front

Step 3: Super detailing the cockpit

Step 3: Painting begins

Step 3: Camouflage starts here

Step 3: Cockpit painted with first coat

Step 3: WWII photo of actual PT boatcockpit

Step 3: My cockpit representation

Step 4: Air inlets and 40mm Boforsready ammo box assembly

Step 4: Assembly and basic paintingcomplete

Step 4: Engine air intake with as PEscreen

Step 4: Vents and 40mm ready useammo locker complete

Step 5: Main cabin and .50 caliberturret assembly

Step 5: Cabin assembly completed. Ihad to use a piece of sheet styrene tofill in a large gap.

Step 5: Cabin camo painted.

Step 5: Acetate windows installed

Step 6: Install cockpit, main cabin andaft ventilation section all built inprevious steps.

Step 6: Three main sections nowassembled, painted and installed ondeck.

Step 7: Starboard side panel with lifepreserver installed. Archer Dry Transfer

Step 7: Rear cockpit wall with woodseats

Step 7: Port side panel with lifepreserver. Archer Dry Transfer

Step 8: Assemble and install antenna,searchlight and deck vents

Step 8: Antenna, searchlight withwiring, deck vent and other misc items

Step 9: Assembly of life raft and lightpanel

Step 9: Life raft assembled andpainted

Step 9: Port side light panel complete

Step 10: Assemble 40mm safety barand smoke canister

Step 10: Safety bar installed

Step 10: Smoke canister painted andinstalled on deck. Note PE tie downs

Step 11: Install bow reinforced towingplate and port and starboard stringers

Step 11: PE plate was installed withTap Plastics Epoxy Tape.

Step 11: The basic green color of thehull has been painted at this point

Step 11: It is now time to paint thecamouflage on the hull. Tamiya tapewas used for the masks

Step 11: Pieces of tape were laid outto make a larger piece of tape and thecamo pattern was drawn on it and cutout.

Step 11: Port side camouflagesprayed

Step 11: With both sides camouflagedthe red bottom was applied with a mixof Tamiya Red and Red Brown

Step 12: Install mufflers and decals

Step 12: Dry Transfers have beeninstalled along with the mufflers andcamoflage pattern