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Hello John, I also like to model as realistically as possible when it is possible. I believe in "plausible deniability". I wouldn't put a German quad 20mm flakvierling on a PT boat. But any other combination of weapons or equipment that were used on actual PT's is acceptable to me. If I was building a model of a particular subject (like JFK's PT-109) I would try to be as accurate as possible. I just don't feel constrained to do it all of the time. I think a lot of modelers spend so much time researching every aspect of what they're attempting to portray that they don't actually build it. I do try try to research to a point but allow myself some artistic license from time to time. Like the song says, You can't please everyone so you got to please yourself.
Al
At its root, any hobby should be fun. For some folks, and at some times, that means making everything as accurate as possible, at others, well . . . For example, TO&Es will tell you that my Dad's unit's sidearms (it was a AAA Btn) were largely composed of carbine's,but my Dad said that they managed to scounge up enough M1s that almost everyone had one. For part of the war his personal weapon, in addition to his .45 was a BAR! Its accurate for his unit, and at a point during the war. I agree, i try to be historically correct about what might appear on a vehicle or ship, but try to remember always that someone might pick up a souvenir and carry it for a while. My Dad said that they used to stock up on German equipment and then head back and trade with folks from the 9th AF!. I have a great photo that I just scanned of my dad in his ODs, wearing a German officers hat!. When I figure out how to do it, I think that I will make it my Avatar, as a tribute to him and all who fought for Freedom in that horrible war.
I grew up wishing that I was on the PT 73, or in stalag 13, or the Great Escape and all that. But my Father always took us to the Cemeteries, Arlington and ACW Battlefield's, because he wanted us to know the costs paid by the men. I always try to bear that in mind when I build something.
John
. I found out later that the Italieri boat built out of the box would've been a replica of the actual PT-328 .
