Dumas PT-109 wood kit

[Dandi6065]

Dumas PT-109 wood kit, is it any good?
I purchasde a smaller V hull kit and wasnt impressed. Any input on this one?

[Twmaster]

I haven't seen the innerds of the PT-109 kit but if the Coast Gaurd 41 boat by them is typical I have to agree, not terribly immpressed.

Fit of the keel, sheers and bulkheads sucked. I have had TONS of extra shaping to do. I am still sanding and grinding to get the hull bottom and sides to fit right.

I will prolly not do another Dumas kit for a while.

[Dandi6065]

Well that answers my question, I thought it was just because the kit I had from Dumas was inexpensive, that's was the reason for poor quality.

[Twmaster]

The Dumas kit is cheap compared to other makers of PT-boat kits which I have seen as high as $400. Of course those kits usually are larger and have nice things like hand laid fiberglass hulls.

One of the things I find funny about the Dumas kits are their build rating, 1 being lowest skill, 3 being highest skill. The PT is a 3, the 41 boat is a two. So, I figure the PT must have really crappy fit making it that much harder to build.

Even if they ever start to laser cut them they are still going to have to redesign the kits for fit. Guillow's did that, took the same crappy plans and cut them with a laser, now you get nice clean cuts for their crappy fit.

[Dandi6065]

Well its refershing to hear a candid review. Thanks
Dave

[slowflyer]

Try www.microglass.net They sell very nice fibergalss hulls that come with full sets of plans for the decking and structure.

They even sell a MONSTER sized PT boat hull that is 8 ft long!! Just an idea if you're thinking about just building one up--Rob

[escipion]

Hi! I made a Dumas PT boat a couple of years ago, the wood hull needs a lot of work and makes heavier the boat. If you don't mind I have some comments to you. Be careful when building the main deck the cabins and turrets must be done directly where they fit (instructions doesn't say that). The stuffing box of the hardware comes smaller than it is marked in the plans you will have to get one with the proper size, and the shaft need to be hold too in a place near its end to the motor other way it will vibrate to much.

[skimr09]

hey do any of you guys know where i could get one o fthe 33 inchers for under a hundred bucks, i built a small revell model really evjoyed building it.

[Kmot]

Close enough:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXE371&P=7

[smart_racer]

Dumas has improved their building instructions and piece/ part fit, referring to Carol Moran + Jersey City tug kits, compared to Little and Big Shelly Foss tug kits

[rlboats2003]

Skimr

Have on that I purchesed on e-bay was sealed on opened the box t look inside. Typical Dumas Kit no running gear. The 1/30 is to far from 1/32. (have the microglass fiber glass hull)
Once I saw the difference it went on the for sale list. Contact me at rlboats2003@yahoo.com if you are interested.

Rich

[der kapitan]

skimr09 quote:

"hey do any of you guys know where i could get one of the 33 inchers for under a hundred bucks, i built a small revell model really enjoyed building it"

Hi skimr09,

The Revell 1/72 plastic kit is a nice little kit, and surprisingly accurate. You
may not really enjoy doing the Dumas wood kit as much.

Both kits have been around for 30 years or so, but while the Revell model's
scale accuracy belies its age, the Dumas item truly shows the decades-old technology that went into producing it.

To get something decent out of it, you'll have to spend a bit more money to
upgrade what's lacking.

[tsenecal]

If he liked the plastic revell kit, he might still be able to find one of the lindberg 33" plastic kits at his local hobby shop, or on ebay...

[steveciambrone]

I had heard that Lindberg is going to reintroduce their 1/32 scale PT boat. It will sell for under $100 USD. I have mine with three Speed 400 motors and it runs great.

Steve

If he liked the plastic revell kit, he might still be able to find one of the lindberg 33" plastic kits at his local hobby shop, or on ebay...

[Stryker_radar]

Hi Guys, first post

I am right in the middle of putting the kit together and detail is nothing to right home about. I have spent most of my time trying to improve the kit.
It reminds me of the old 1960s kits where the parts really don't fit together.

[patmat2350]

It IS an old 1960's kit!

[pick013]

Their updated 33" PT-109 kit is much better than the old one from back in the '60's early '70's. I have a build log on the newer one going on right now. Lots more scale stuff to the new design too!

[Stryker_radar]

No this one is from the 1990's. I received it in Alaska as a present and it has been traveling in my household goods wherever the Army would send us. After about 8 years in various states of build I am finally down to the finishing touches. If I was to build one again (which I will), would use a combo of Dumas kit and the Italeri Elco PT-596 Model.

[sergio_Italy]

I am glad to inform you all that i have just started a new discussion on PT boat, please check "scale boats / Discussion / PT boats R/C models.
i hope this may be the dock for all the PT boat fans.

[kennyrach]

hello all this is the site i get all my pt boat need http://www.pt-boat.com/ and i has build the Dumas 33" wood and the 48" fiberglass hull kit and i say it junk to me did not like the kit at all but i made them and they are running so now i am building the 1/20th scale (4' long) from plan at http://www.pt-boat.com/ .

[Bikerider]

Dumas PT 109 was my first boat build. Followed the instructions, took my time and dry fitted everything twice and it came out great. I'm very proud of my little boat. I dont know why everyone keeps bad mouthing it, good kit and like most kits needs some sanding in spots and wood being wood, it to will have some bad pieces. Overall good kit, I learned a lot of it.

[H.Lauer]

I built this several years ago, and yes the wood is not great, but the model when finished looks great. Just takes time... my 2 cents, Harry

[JimF51]

hello all this is the site i get all my pt boat need http://www.pt-boat.com/ and i has build the Dumas 33" wood and the 48" fiberglass hull kit and i say it junk to me did not like the kit at all but i made them and they are running so now i am building the 1/20th scale (4' long) from plan at http://www.pt-boat.com/ .

Unfortunately, John Drain has folded up shop for the present. Too many personal issues going on. He also says he can't get the 2mm Scandinavian plywood that he was using in his kits anymore. He doae tell me he'll be back into it, but not in the foreseeable fi-uture.

Jim F