Subject:  
John F. Kennedy's
PT-109
Kit Used: Revell - 1/72

Review & model by:
Jerry Fraske
Pictures: R. Forys




[The 1/72 scale Revell model of PT-109 is from the early 60's.]




The 1/72 scale Revell model of PT-109 has been with us since the early 60's and most of us who were kids back then have probably built this kit at one time or other.   Although obviously dated, the basic kit is still fairly adequate even by today's standards and is generally available in hobby shops or e-bay to this day due to its many reissues over the past 50 years.




[Although obviously dated, the basic kit is still fairly adequate.]



Ironically, one of the most well known vessels in US Naval annals wasn't a powerful behemoth like the USS Missouri or Nimitz, historically significant like the Arizona or Monitor, or one with a long storied combat career like the Constitution or Enterprise.   Instead, the story of the little craft simply known as PT-109 is famous for its commander and future President of the United States, John F. Kennedy.   Crushed in half by a Japanese destroyer on the night of August 1, 1943 while on night patrol in the waters of the Solomon Islands, Kennedy and most of his crew swam to a small uninhabited island nearby and survived under cover several days until rescued by local tribesmen and an Australian coast watcher.


In more recent PT Boat news, sadly a group in Vancouver BC, Canada has been forced to abandon their efforts to restore a WWII PT Boat.   They acquired PT-659 in 1996 from a location in Oregon, where it had been stored for years, but by 2004 they realized that they would not be able to raise the funds necessary to restore the vessel.   They then decided to donate the boat to the D-Day Museum in New Orleans, however that plan had to be scrapped when they found out it would cost about $350 thousand to ship the 50 ton craft.   In the meantime, the museum found another boat, PT-305, which happened to be a combat veteran, and is credited with sinking two German ships.   Sadly, PT-659 was cut up, however the plan is to use some of the parts to help restore PT-305.






[A clear acetate windshield was added to the top of the cabin.] [Several small windows were cut out and filled in with Crystal-Clear.]
[Gun barrels and air horns were drilled and hollowed out] [photo-etched brass ammo belts were added to the twin .50 caliber guns.]



The book, "PT-109", by Robert J. Donovan, and the movie by the same name, which hit the screens in 1963, are two good sources to use on this project.   The kit was assembled basically out-of-the-box with just a few modifications to enhance detail and accuracy.   A clear acetate windshield was added to the top of the cabin and the several small windows were cut out and filled in with Crystal-Clear.   Gun barrels and air horns were drilled and hollowed out and photo-etched brass ammo belts were added to the twin .50 caliber guns.




[Testors Medium Green was used as the base color.]



PT boats operating in the Solomon Islands in 1943 were generally painted overall in medium green and weathered quickly in the harsh environment.   Testors Medium Green 42 was airbrushed on as the base color and then the entire craft was given a heavy wash of thinned black tinted Future floor wax with a large brush to accentuate details.   Finally, the entire model was dry brushed with medium gray and khaki to pop out highlighted edges even more and enhance the sun beaten weathered effect.




[The entire craft was given a heavy wash of thinned black tinted Future floor wax to accentuate details.]



The real 109 did not have the large hull numbers displayed so only the small "109" decals were applied as pictured.   (Note they are not "shadowed".)   Once all was finished, the entire model was airbrushed with Testors Dullcote to knock all the gloss down and achieve a consistent finish throughout.





[Kennedy's boat had a small 37mm anti-tank gun lashed to the forward deck. ] [Kit figures were painted and positioned as shown.]



Kennedy's boat had a small 37mm anti-tank gun lashed to the forward deck just prior to its fateful demise.   Fortunately, Hasegawa's 1/72 jeep and gun combination kit provided what was needed.   The gun was built up without the wheels and fixed to the deck on two small balsa wood planks and "tied down" with thread "rope".   A coiled thread rope was also added to the deck.   Kit figures were painted and positioned as shown.





[The finished model was placed in its base of acrylic gel medium, tinted gray-green.]



When all was done, the finished model was placed in its base of acrylic gel medium, tinted gray-green.   Waves were shaped while still wet and the churned up wake sculpted and painted white.   Finally, the base was fixed to its wooden frame and nameplate added.   The final result was a satisfying representation of this famed craft.





[The final result was a satisfying representation of this famed craft.]