SPECIAL HOBBY’S NEW PATROL BOAT ARMAMENT UPGRADES

If Revell’s 1/72 new-tool PT Boat is on your build list, you can improve its weaponry with two new sets from the Czech firm.

SPECIAL HOBBY’S NEW PATROL BOAT ARMAMENT UPGRADES

US Navy PT (Patrol Torpedo) Boats employed various types of armament during World War Two, but Revell’s new 1/72 tooling is limited with what’s supplied in the box. You can change that with the new sets from Special Hobby, which replicate a Mk.4 20mm Oerlikon and Mk.50 Rocket Launcher.

SPECIAL HOBBY’S NEW PATROL BOAT ARMAMENT UPGRADES

Both items employ resin and photo-etched (PE) brass to ensure fine detail. The Oerlikon (N72030, €9.50) comprises a cast resin mount and barrel/breech, with a 3D-printed resin handwheel, cradle, drum magazine and armrests. The gun sight is a PE item.

In the rocket launcher package (N72040, €12.20) there two complete units (the usual number per boat), and these build mostly from cast resin components. The mounts and two rows of four tubes per launcher are complemented by holed PE support plates. The detail on all resin parts is reasonably well defined, but research is recommended to ensure the right armament is added to the exact boat you seek to portray, at a given time.

SPECIAL HOBBY’S NEW PATROL BOAT ARMAMENT UPGRADES

Both items are available direct from Special Hobby, but are also at Hannants in the UK. Note that other 1/72 PT Boat upgrades are also due, such as Twin Browning machine-guns, Mk.6 Depth Charges, PT-579/588 Life Raft and even PT-109 Torpedo Tube Breech Doors, among others. We'll highlight all these as and when they are released.

SPECIAL HOBBY’S NEW PATROL BOAT ARMAMENT UPGRADES