Dumas PT-109

[Mike Wharton 1Participant @mikewharton1]

Having finally finished the Krick submarine I am now looking for another project for the long winter nights. My thoughts have turned to PT-109, and I wondered if anyone had any experience of either the Dumas or Italeri models? I'm guessing that the latter is not really intended for R/C, or possibly even getting wet!

Any sugestions gratefully received.

[Mike Wharton 1Participant @mikewharton1]

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Mike

Don't buy a Dumas kit unless you've opened the box and checked the quality of the wood first. Many of us have been unpleasantly surprised by them.

Dave M

[Mike Wharton 1Participant @mikewharton1]

Thanks for the quick reponse. I built a Dumas tug a couple of years ago and found the materials to be quite good. It's difficult to inspect the contents when buying on-line, but I'll certainly bear you advice in mind.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

I've had to throw away all of the balsa planking supplied in my kit and I will almost certainly end up doing the same to the horrible high-density plastic-foam sheet parts supplied for the superstructure.
The prop tube and shaft were rubbish quality and the prop was totally unsuitable for the type of motor and size of the model.
The frames were poorly die-crunched and usable only with my fingers crossed. I hope the planks stay glued to them.
I bought it sight-unseen and it's £250 mostly wasted.
I would need a lot of persuading to buy another Dumas kit.

Caveat emptor, but feel free to do as you will.

Dave M

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

Do one of these for £5 worth of balsa:

**LINK**

**LINK**

If you want it like the Italieri or Dumas at 1:35 scale, just print the free plans on A3 rather than A4…

[Mike Wharton 1Participant @mikewharton1]

Thanks, but no thanks… I'm too old and impatient to scratch build from plans.

So, scrub the PT-109, since it seems the quality may leave a lot to be desired, and it would be a real pain trying to argue the point with an on-line seller.

But I see Dumas also do another PT boat, PT-212. This has a preformed hull, so possibly would be a better choice? I did stumble across one review that complained the chines weren't sharp. I could live with that! Any other comments?

BTW, my intention is to make it as a two prop design, rather than as a single; I think the 'proper' 3 prop design would be too much of a hassle.

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

… I'm too old and impatient to scratch build from plans.

The eezebilt plans are not exactly plans, of course – they are templates to cut out which then leave you with the parts of a kit. And the whole point of an eezebilt is that it is quick to build…… But certainly a lot of cutting is involved.

[Mike Wharton 1Participant @mikewharton1]

Well, I scrubbed the PT-109 and have bought their PT-212 instead! I suppose I was swayed by the vac-formed hull. Admittedly, now I have received it, it seems a lot to pay for not very much. (Even the ghastly Krick U-96 included all the running gear – Dumas don't even throw in a prop shaft.)

Maybe I'll learn one day, but where's the fun in that?

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

Posted by Mike Wharton 1 on 03/12/2015 19:38:12:

Well, I scrubbed the PT-109 and have bought their PT-212 instead! I suppose I was swayed by the vac-formed hull. Admittedly, now I have received it, it seems a lot to pay for not very much.

Ah, well – that's where scratch-building scores, of course! Are you going to do it as a US boat, or as the Royal Navy MGB-192?

[Mike Wharton 1Participant @mikewharton1]

Hi, Point taken, but I have far too many "jobs" to allow the time for such whittling!

Tell me more. I had just assumed to spray it gray all over, but I vaguely recollect stumbling across a reference to it being "re-badged" as a Navy boat. I shall need to trawl the web again and see if there are any pictures of it.

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