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

[pjgtech]

Just had a look at the Tamiya paint that I'm using and it does state on the bottle allow one hour between coats before reapplying, so looks like they only require one hour? I know other paints may be different.... Took the (Hobby Craft) masking tape off this afternoon and it did not take any of the paint off with it, so looks like it worked ok. Or maybe I was just lucky....

 

[pjgtech]

Todays update...
Hull now painted, quite pleased with it, my first attempt at masking and a two colour hull, and a bit awkward as it went across the natural hull line/water line, so the two colours separate above the line at the rear and below the line at the front. Tricky!


Deck now painted, 1st coat, and some minor bits dry fitted not yet primed, etc.

Started on the torpedoes, and priming up some of the sub structures.


I don't have the exact colours listed in the instruction, so I'm improvising with what I can use/mix up to get a decent match.
I've not gone for a camouflaged paint scheme, which is on the box, as this is still only my 3rd model back into the hobby, so keeping it (fairly) plain and simple.

 

[scottie3158]

Nicely done. I never worry to much about the right colours, there is always someone who says it wrong lol.

 

[pjgtech]

Some more bits done, prop shafts on, props fitted, rudders fitted, and rear baffles, then bit more superstructure to the deck... coming along slowly slowly....

 

[Waspie]

Now there are two words I never expected from you!! ‘Slowly, slowly’. Still, nice progress. I had an uncle on torpedo boats in WW2 so am watching this go together with interest.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Looking good Peter. Glad it's working out for you. Should look great when completed

 

[minitnkr]

Before class was standardized, ELCO boats were slightly longer than Higgins boats (80' vs 78'). ELCO built the most boats. The weapons pkg. seen on the box art here was the high end. Some were field modified for less arms to gain speed or space for mines or depth charges. Looking good so far.

 

[pjgtech]

Did a bit more this afternoon. Got most of the substructures on now.
I've now learned to build the sub structures separately, and then prime paint them separately, and then file/sand the areas where they will be glued on. So hopefully less glue melting the paint!
But then need to go round touching up sanded bits, edges, etc.
Starting to look like a boat now.

Will probably get it all built by end of today. Then touch up the bits of painting that need it.
Then I presume I will need to gloss over it all, as I have decided I am going to do some "light" weathering, eg: mainly bit of panel lining and maybe a dirt/grime wash, and I understand a gloss coat before weathering is recommended to allow the washes to flow better?

Cheers (some mire pics)....

 

[scottie3158]

Coming on nicely

 

[Waspie]

The more I see of this build the more I get voices saying - build one - build one. It's really coming along nicely Peter.

I may have to veer away from copters and go wet!! (Although Airfix are shortly bringing our the Sea King 4 Junglie). Nah, a nice Soviet patrol boat would be good.

 

[pjgtech]

The more I see of this build the more I get voices saying - build one - build one. It's really coming along nicely Peter.
I may have to veer away from copters and go wet!! (Although Airfix are shortly bringing our the Sea King 4 Junglie). Nah, a nice Soviet patrol boat would be good.

Go on, you know it makes sense.....

 

[pjgtech]

Getting there, latest update, the build is now pretty much done, I have a couple of bits of paint to touch up.
Messed up the last cupola, I put the turret on first, when I should have put the rails on first, so then of course could not quite match up the rails, so they are a bit skewiff! Annoyed with myself as the build has gone really well up to that point, (for me). Lesson learnt....But hey, its just a model, no-one died.
Still have to gloss once painting is complete, then apply transfers, then think about a bit of aging/weathering.
Pics.....

 

[flyjoe180]

Wow this is coming along really well Peter

 

[minitnkr]

Very nice so far.

 

[pjgtech]

Last update today, finished painting, touching up few bits, etc.
Applied gloss and then applied transfers and even managed a half bodged attempt at a flag, with a bit of wind ripple too!

Left it for couple of hours. Then did a bit of what I thought was "light" weathering. But turned out to be heavy weathering. [Doh!]

Tried a bit of panel lining, but TBH, the deck is so dark, is did not really show up much?
The picture on the box shows a lighter grey deck, but the instructions show a much darker deck (mix of black and dark green), and I went with the darker look, maybe go lighter next time, ho hum.....

Then tried an all over general grime wash, which seemed to work ok.
Then tried having a go at chipping/wearing to the deck with a small cut off bit of sponge, loaded it with paint then wiped most of the paint off so when dabbed, only small traces were left on the deck, but I tried to put it in areas where there would be lots of foot traffic, wear, etc, ... But think I overdid this a bit!

Lesson for the day, = less is more.

Then tried some rust lines going from the deck, down onto the hull, where the ancillary equipment is located near the deck edges, eg: torpedo holding frames, etc. Think I may have overdone that a bit too.
Lastly did a very light rust wash to the anchor and few other bits, eg: rear exhausts/baffles and the propellers. Seemed ok.

But this weathering lark is hard trying to make it look realistic!
Finished for today, only thing left to do is apply a matt varnish, which I am hoping will "knock back" some of the excessive weathering from my heavy handedness.

We'll see, its all a learning process..... but generally happy with it overall.

Last pics for today...

 

[Waspie]

Looks fine to me. i’ve just been looking at the few pics I have of PB’s and they look about the same. (Rust and staining). They, (my pics), do have a few scrapes horizontally from berthing, but not excessive. You’ve done a great job in my opinion.

Inspired by your build. Ive also been looking to see if there are Russian fast boats, an old Komar or Osa. Only found a few Osa’s.

 

[scottie3158]

That's a cracking result. Nicely finished.

 

[Jim R]

Nothing wrong with that Peter. Well done.

 

[pjgtech]

Final update on this one. I put a nice coat of matt clear varnish on the boat late last night, hoping that it would "knock back" the slightly heavy handed weathering that I had previously done.
Got up this morning and had a look, and it had indeed "knocked back" some of the worst bits of weathering, so it looks much less weathered now and has a much nicer matt finish.

So this one is now done, no more tinkering by me, I have to learn when to stop!

It is not perfect by any means, but I'm happy with it, especially bearing in mind its still only my third model back into the hobby. I am learning lots and I think slowly getting better.
I am also realising that brush painting will never look as "nice" as airbrushing, but I like the brush painting process, and I can only get better hopefully.
Maybe I'll look into airbrushing at some point, but for now I'm sticking with the brush.

Anyway, enough waffle, my last pics of this now completed model.... Cheers

 

[spanner570]

Excellent result Peter.
Top work.

A couple of observations, if I may.....

Brush painting can be as good, and sometimes better than the results from an A.B.

No one will, or can achieve perfection. Be happy with your own model making results.

I have a tee shirt. Written on the back is the following....

"Perfection doesn't exist. Even a beautiful woman has pimples on her bum!"

Onwards and upward.

Ron