I was watching history Channel yesterday and saw and excellent program on the development and history of the PT boat. Are there any good sites that would show the different variants that evolved out of this boat? I was particularly interested in the one that mounted the 37 or 40mm A/A gun on the stern of the boat and had deleted the torpedoes in favor of more 20mm, .50 cal MG's and mortars at the base of the helm. I'm not real knowledgabel on boats/ships, but I think this wouldbe a killer looking project if pulled off right, and I know the PT-109 kit is still available. Thanks in advance. "Q"

Hi Matthew!

If you want info, here are a few books, that include a lot of pics, plans and history:
PT Boats in action
Squadron/Signal Publications 1994
ISBN: 0-89747-312-4

United States PT-Boats of WWII in action
by Frank D. Johnson, Blandford Press 1980
ISBN: 0-7137-1025-X

Allied Coastal Forces of WWII-Volume II
by John Lambert & Al Ross, Conway 1993
ISBN: 0-85177-602-7

American PT Boats in WWII
By Victor Chun, Schiffer Military 1997
ISBN: 0-7643-0256-6

You'll have a lot of info there!!
Hope this helped,

Skipper

Squadron PT Boats in Action is a pretty good reference. As to making one of the gun-boat versions. I have seen this done many times, but I think you'll be on your own with this project. All were scratchbuilt using the PT 109 kit as the starting point. WEM just put out a PE set for the 109 which helps the kit a bit, but not enough in my opinion to justify the cost of the set. They just issued a PT Boat green color that is the only dead-on color made, so pick up a tin of that for your project

Thanks for the help guys. I kind of figured it would be a scratchbuilt affair. One more thing to add to the "gotta do list" Thanks again. "Q"

In addition to our dedicated photoetch set for the Revell 1/72 Elco 80' PT, we now also have a 40mm USN Mk.3 Bofors in production, plus a 37mm US Army anti-tank gun (for those wanting to accurately model the 109 boat or any of the several others that used this weapon). In the future, look for late war radar masts, and the 37mm Oldsmobile cannon.

Cheers,
John Snyder
White Ensign Models
http://WhiteEnsignModels.com