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USS PT-174,

I need to see that one in 1/700. This one is wild enough on your eyes.

Hi Rui, I will definitely let Alex know about those lenses, that sounds interesting. You know Al LeFleche? Garth

Thanks Dave ......... It is a nice model. He'll be doing a resin Gulfstream 1:96 Elco 77 footer next. As PT-68. Garth

Hi Garth I know him "only" via armorama... when this was a small community and we read every post everyday on all sub-areas! Now this is a monster community... so the old guys are away in their "own rooms", kind of grounded I went to Newark/NYC some years ago (the Mrs is a flight attendant, so I took the ride) and Dave O'Meara met with me.... it was January 1st, about 7 am, and we got a great breakfast (well, I had about 4 cups of coffee) and talked a lot. It was fun, 2 ol' salts, from different generations, different navies but with very similar stories to tell! It is a very important moment for me - and I hope, to Dave too (note: According to Dave, I look much younger nowadays!! Go figure....) Al and another member (I can't recall his callsign), declined the meeting (too early on January 1st!!! Long party....) Of course, I will tease him for the rest of our lives with this issue (it's no issue at all) Cheers and congratulations (again) Rui

Well, I'll be sure to say hello for you to him. He's a nice man. He has a handle-bar moustache ... I like him, he's a nice man. So, that's Dave? I've heard about him and his models but I've never seen him. Garth

That is a great build; I love the scheme, will try it in a few years once I have a clue wha tI am doing thanks for sharing!

Thank you James! As I understand it, Alex is sending the boat up to me over this weekend ... so, I SHOULD have it at some point next week. Seeing photos is one thing, seeing it up close is another. Garth

I've GOT to tell you something... Yesterday, the model arrived from Alex, ... The photos you see here DO NOT give it justice ... the model is simply amazing in person! I can see how dark the Deck Blue (20-B) really is. It does look black. The two WEM torpedoes in the forward tubes look amazing ........ I'm truly amazed, and I don't really like 'from the factory' boats. My favorites are the late war looking boats with roll-off racks and added guns ...... and if a torpedo-tube armed boat amazes me, THAT's saying something. Garth

Ah... A Happy Camper! I am really pleased that you liked it! It's like when I see models here posted, in build blogs or even in features, but when I get the chance to see them for real, it's a completely different story! They look so much better Congratulations on another PT-Boat on your collection! Cheers, Rui

Wait until you see Alex's next creation for me .............. It'll knock your socks off. I'm saying that and I haven't even sent the model down to him yet. It's the GULFSTREAM 1:96 kit of the Elco 77 footer. Alex will rework it into a second production series example of that Class. We're hopeful that we can do PT-68 in her one-off camouflage scheme in that photo I'm sure most of you've seen. I was able to get a 1:96 20mm from the SCALE SHIPYARD and some 1:96 .50s from MASTERPIECES IN MINUATURE that he'll use on it. Garth