Hi y’all. I have the torpedos and tubes painted and fitted to the deck, and did the aft railings too. I simplified the torpedo install, there’s a number of brass wire clamps you have to make up, paint and install, but after looking at both the box art and other PT15s built, most people omit them, and on the few boats that have them they’re hard to see, hidden for the most part. Figured they weren’t worth the time and trouble.

Hi y’all..just a quick update, the railings and most of the deck details are done. I need to give the rails another coat of paint, maybe paint the chains (need to decide color, want it to contrast with the light grey) and then I’ll starts building the guns. Need to decide early on if I want them to traverse, or if I want to add that feature later.

Here’s a couple of pics of the 1st gun, bear in mind it’s not finished and needs some detail sanding and another couple coats of paint, plus a few more details. It’s built up from a brass barrel, wood, abs and bits of wire. I really wish Robbe had gone to a styrene kit of parts for the guns, but they didn’t. I figure the decision making process sounded like this:
“Hey, Gerhardt, here’s the plans for the gun moldings for the new PT were putting in production soon, waddya think?” “Well, Kurt, that looks sehr gut, but the boss says we have to use up existing stocks before making any new moldings.” “Soooo....we have to design a gun from bits of wood, brass, and abs?” “Ja”.🤣

I did a little more work on the first gun this morning, turned out ok. Don’t know if I’m going to take it much further as I might end up getting a pair of resin or plastic Bofors gun kits and using those instead. I’ll build up the second gun to match, then go from there.
Cash

Hi y’all. Well, the PT15 got a bit stalled as I was a bit under the weather for the last week, and I also didn’t want to progress further until I decided how to “drive” the guns. There was/is a nasty little bug going around the dealership that had many of us sick. No fever, but congestion, lack of energy, coughing up crud, etc. it was enough to slow me down considerably, but not keep me from work. I didn’t run boats this past Sunday as I stayed in bed till well past noon. Anyway, I’m on the mend, still have a bit of this but most of the symptoms are gone, with the exception of coughing up some congestion from time to time. Annoying, but it is what it is. As far as the guns go, I’ve decided to try to direct drive them with a pair of 180 degree servos vs doing the whole pulley and offset servo gig. I’ll lose a little movement, but I’ll gain a much simplified install. More than likely I’ll be working on her after Christmas, and I’ll have pics then.
Cash

Hi everybody! Well, I’m feeling better, and did quite a bit of work on the PT. She’s almost ready, need to button down the guns, add the prop, leak and ballast check and she’s done. Both guns are built and installed, and mixed so I can have both swing at the same time or independently. Took a few pics and I have a function check video to show off the guns. Next update should be the maiden.
Cash

Hi y’all. Some of you have probably read in the North Texas Shipwrights thread of the loss of the superstructure to the PT15. The first test runs seemed to be a little down on power, and she would occasionally dig her bow in on a turn. I thought a little more power and some aft weight should do the trick. However, I upgraded power before rebalancing the ship. That was my first mistake. I also didn’t use strong enough, or the right amount, of magnets to hold the hatch down..I used craft store magnets, which in retrospect weren’t up to the task. Anyway, when I launched her with the new power plant she was torquing over pretty hard, and didn’t respond to the helm as well, plus was still diggin in. Instead of bringing her back, I kept playing around to see if I could eas into the throttle and possibly “tame” her. Turned too tight, she dug her bow in, spun, heeled over and off came the superstructure. It floated for a few minutes, we tried to push it in but in the end it sank with all hands.😔 Now, I have to admit this was pretty disconcerting, even to the point that I’ve been pretty critical of my building and operating skills thus far. I get like that, takes a few days to walk it off. So..for the time being she’s in dry dock, with the receiver and esc removed. I’m going to build a couple more models then come back to her. My plan is to fabricate a simple screw down and taped hatch so I can take her out sans superstructure and run tests on her, playing with power, prop and balance till I’m satisfied. Between test runs I’m going to try my hand at building the superstructure from scratch, using styrene sheet as my main building medium. I think I can make a go of it, might have to fudge a minor detail or make a slight alteration to suit my skills, but I do have the plans so there’s that. Stay with me y’all, think I’m going to need some helpful advice and a little emotional support as well.
Cash