Italeri

1/35 PT Boat Crew For the Italeri ELCO 80' Torpedo Boat PT-596

Stock Number: 5606

Reviewed By  Rick Bellanger, IPMS# 35220

MSRP: $30.95 Imported by MRC Website: www.modelrectifier.com Ever since they announced the release of this figure set and seeing it at the Nationals this summer, I just had to have one. Not sure if IPMS/USA got a sample but I had to have it and bought it myself. I finished the PT Boat almost two years ago, which by the way is an outstanding kit and this set enhances the Boat very nicely.

The PT Boat Crew consists of 10 figures, each poised for a particular position on the Boat. Most will fit where you may want to place them, but some will have to be left in the position they were designed for, unless you plan on doing some cutting and filling. I left mine stock in the pose they were made for. There is a diagram shows you where each figure is supposed to go.

The instructions are pretty straight forward on the assembly, giving each figure a letter code, a parts breakdown and assembly diagram. The fit was excellent and I used NO putty or filler what so ever on any of the figures. Painting instructions are adequate. Italeri gives you color numbers for their paint in Italeri Model Masters numbers (which I assume are Model Masters numbers) for both enamel and acryl paints. Some of the colors seemed a little off to me, so I substituted what I thought looked correct. The photos on the box are excellent reference for painting too. I painted all skin tones using the Verlinden Method, with artist oils. Then I painted the uniforms their basic colors, adding a dark wash followed by several different lighter shades of the base color drybrushed on. The only painting exception I made was for the dude (figure E) with the binoculars. I made him an Officer versus an Enlisted Man. There is no Officer included in the set.

The figures are a little primitive and lack the detail one would expect with the new mold making and casting process that's out there. But they are quite adequate and do the job well. I added chin straps and a strap for the binoculars made out of lead foil. I would suggest this set to anyone who has built or going to build the Italeri PT Boat. It's an easy set to assemble, especially for beginners and a welcomed addition. The price is a little steep around $30.00 for a plastic figure set, but hey you do get ten dudes. Now Italeri, where are the Dudes for the E-Boat?