Torpedo Boat PT 109

American torpedo boat PT-109 model ship kit from Dumas

History of the original:

The PT-109 was an American torpedo boat of the PT class (Patrol Torpedo) during the Second World War and became world famous due to the dramatic fate of its crew and the later US President John F. Kennedy.

The boat belonged to the PT-103 class, a series of wooden speedboats built by the Elco (Electric Launch Company) shipyard. With a length of 24 metres, three powerful Packard petrol engines and a speed of over 40 knots, it was extremely manoeuvrable and suitable for use near the coast and in night operations. Its armament consisted of four torpedo tubes, several machine guns and, later, provisionally mounted cannons with which it could attack enemy ships.

The PT-109 was commissioned in 1942 and deployed in the Solomon Islands. On 2 August 1943, it collided with the Japanese destroyer Amagiri in Blackett Strait near Kolombangara. The destroyer cut the torpedo boat almost in two, killing two men instantly, while the rest of the crew managed to save themselves by clinging to debris. Kennedy, then only 26 years old and commander of the boat, organised the rescue of his men under extremely difficult conditions. He swam several kilometres with an injured comrade in tow to an island, where the survivors were finally found and rescued after several days.

After the war, the story of PT-109 became legendary, as it demonstrated Kennedy's leadership, courage and sense of responsibility – qualities that he later embodied as president. The boat itself was lost in the collision, but its name remains inextricably linked to John F. Kennedy and the symbolism of American bravery in the Pacific War.

Description of the kit:

The kit for this legendary PT 109 has been completely redesigned. The improved plans and instructions allow you to choose between an electric or combustion engine drive. Great importance was attached to the detailed reproduction of the deck superstructure and armament, which is no longer comparable to the previous version. In this kit, the hull is constructed from stamped plywood parts and partially planked with wood and plastic sheets. The superstructure is made of plywood and some deep-drawn moulded parts made of ABS. The kit includes 50 cast metal parts and brass material for the armament and deck details.

The kit does not include any materials for the propulsion and steering system; the original had three propeller shafts. The construction plan includes a suggestion for propulsion with a single shaft.

Who is this kit suitable for?

The kit is aimed at model builders with experience in ship modelling and sufficient knowledge to implement a propulsion variant.

What else is needed?

Paints, adhesives and tools are required and can be found in our range.

What do the building instructions look like?

The instructions consist of a step-by-step text guide with 147 building steps, supplemented by drawings and written in very simple English. We provide a translation into German. Four large-format plans supplement the instructions. All dimensions are given in inches.

Languages: German, English

The assembly instructions are not available for download.

Technical data:

Scale: approx. 1:30
Length: 838 mm
Width: 229 mm