Mission Models :: Italeri 5602 - 1/35 ELCO 80 foot Torpedo Boat PT-596

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Mission Models :: Italeri 5602 - 1/35 ELCO 80 foot Torpedo Boat PT-596

ITALERI 5602 - 1/35 ELCO 80 FOOT TORPEDO BOAT PT-596

During the WWII the U.S. Navy deployed a large amount of three types of motor torpedo boats: the Higgins measuring 78 feet and ELCO measuring 77 and 80 feet. Every model could be distinguished from the others, apart from by length, by configuration, weapons and various other details. The 80 foot ELCOs represented the most numerous class: they were realised in five series, for a total of about 300 examples built in mahogany and pushed by three 1,350cv Packard 4M-2500 engines (taken to 1,500 in the latest series), these vessels easily exceeded 40 knots. The equipment and weapons were constantly updated and improved thanks to experience acquired in the field and the progressive change of role: with the progress of the conflict, in fact, the PT Boats left the original task of attacking and cutting off the traffic, taking on the role of gunships and operating in the proximity of the coast or in channels. The Italeri model reproduces the PT 596, an 80-foot ELCO from the last batch produced.

Italeri’s PT-596 Torpedo Boat is a huge model. At 1/35 scale, the hull length is 27.55 inches. Italeri’s skilled designers, historians and craftsmen pulled out all the stops. This gorgeous, first ever kit of this type from Italeri contains 322 parts molded in olive green plastic, plus one clear acetate sheet for the windows, one photoetched fret containing 86 parts for torpedo fins, rocket launchers sides, 37mm gun ammo conveyor, gunsights, main mast aerials, instruments panel, deck lights, and seven screws. The one piece hull and single piece deck are wonderfully detailed, as are the on-board twin 0.50 Cal. machine guns positions. Finely engraved Mk.13 torpedoes with side impulse launchers, containing 17 parts for each unit add to the spectacular realism, along with the detailed exhaust with silencers and rear smoke generator.

There’s more. Highly detailed 20mm Oerlikon and 37mm M4 guns (the M-4’s adapted from the P-39 aircraft) add to the armaments, with two fearsome, front multiple rocket launchers and reserve weapons boxes on the deck. The propellers are accurately shaped, as expected in a model of this quality and precision. The meticulous in-depth exactness doesn’t stop here; A 40mm dual role Bofors gun, (a kit within a kit, containing more than 50 parts is included too). Italeri has given the model builder a choice of open or closed positions for the various escape and entrance doors on the deck. The decal set is for the PT-596 that was in service in the very last days of WWII.

Details

Weight 9.00 lbs
Price: $113.99