#029 PT-109 Boat Model
NOTE: History and out of crate images are credited to Modelshipmaster.com
PT-109 was a patrol torpedo (PT) boat commanded by Lieutenant John F. Kennedy in World War II. PT-109's keel was laid on March 4, 1942, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The boat was fitted out for war with four 21" torpedo tubes carrying Mark VIII torpedoes. Unlike most of her sister boats, PT-109 carried two depth charges, one on each side. Initially intended for possible use against submarines, these depth charges were later used to deter destroyers in pursuit.
On April 23, 1943, John F. Kennedy was given command of the PT-109. The crew was given the tough assignment of patrolling the Solomon Islands. The warm water caused rapid growth and buildup of marine life on the hull, reducing the boat’s speed to below 36 knots. This speed was less than the top speed of the Japanese cruisers and destroyers that protected Japanese supply barges which were the main target of PT boats.
Very dangerously, the PT boats had to get within two miles of their targets, and mostly at night. That was well within the gun range of enemy ships. The black powder charge that fired the well-greased torpedoes could cause the grease to ignite upon firing, giving out a flash and smoke that could easily reveal the boat's position. On top of that, PT boats used aviation gasoline that could destroy the whole boat if the engine compartment was hit. PT boats relied on their small size, darkness, and maneuverability as their survival tools.
On August 1st, PT-109 and 14 other boats were sent to sink a group of five enemy destroyers. The attacking squadron were ready to kill, but some of the 60 torpedoes exploded prematurely and not a single hit was made. All boats then were ordered back to base except PT-109, PT-162, and PT-169. They were to patrol the area.
It was a very dark and quiet night on the 2nd of August. PT-109 was going at very low speed with only one engine to minimize the wake which might be detected by Japanese patrol aircraft. Suddenly the crew realized they were right in front of an enemy ship. The destroyer, Amagiri, bore down on PT-109 at a very high speed. With no time to get her engines up to speed, PT-109 was cut in half and in flames.
Although well within firing distance, PT-169's torpedoes missed the Amagiri and the PT-162's failed to fire. Seeing the extent of the damage and fireball from PT-109, the other two PT boats returned to base without daring to stay and check for survivors.
PT-109 was indeed fatally damaged. Raging flames surrounded the forward hull. Miraculously, only two crew members were killed, and only two others were badly injured.
Using timber, life jackets and other parts lashed together, the seamen kicked for hours thru shark infested waters and reached a tiny island 3.5 miles away. They then moved to another island and survived on coconuts. Hiding for six days, and with the help of the local islanders, they were able to send their location information to the nearest base 35 miles away and finally were picked up by PT-157.
In May 2002, a National Geographic expedition found wreckage matching the description and location of Kennedy's vessel in the Solomon Islands. However, under current Navy policy, the wreckage site is a gravesite and may not be disturbed.
This PT-109 boat model is a representative of that story and the history of PT boats as a whole. The model was built by master craftsmen who handcrafted the nicely detailed model from scratch using photographs, drawings, and original plans. The model is built to scale with top quality woods with a hollow superstructure and hull. The model is 100% handcrafted using a plank-on-frame construction method, similar to the building of the actual vessel. Each model requires hundreds of hours to finish and must go through a demanding quality control process before leaving the manufacturers workshop. This model is mounted on a solid wood base and is ready to proudly display.
NOTE: History and out of crate images are credited to Modelshipmaster.com
PT-109 was a patrol torpedo (PT) boat commanded by Lieutenant John F. Kennedy in World War II. PT-109's keel was laid on March 4, 1942, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The boat was fitted out for war with four 21" torpedo tubes carrying Mark VIII torpedoes. Unlike most of her sister boats, PT-109 carried two depth charges, one on each side. Initially intended for possible use against submarines, these depth charges were later used to deter destroyers in pursuit.
On April 23, 1943, John F. Kennedy was given command of the PT-109. The crew was given the tough assignment of patrolling the Solomon Islands. The warm water caused rapid growth and buildup of marine life on the hull, reducing the boat’s speed to below 36 knots. This speed was less than the top speed of the Japanese cruisers and destroyers that protected Japanese supply barges which were the main target of PT boats.
Very dangerously, the PT boats had to get within two miles of their targets, and mostly at night. That was well within the gun range of enemy ships. The black powder charge that fired the well-greased torpedoes could cause the grease to ignite upon firing, giving out a flash and smoke that could easily reveal the boat's position. On top of that, PT boats used aviation gasoline that could destroy the whole boat if the engine compartment was hit. PT boats relied on their small size, darkness, and maneuverability as their survival tools.
On August 1st, PT-109 and 14 other boats were sent to sink a group of five enemy destroyers. The attacking squadron were ready to kill, but some of the 60 torpedoes exploded prematurely and not a single hit was made. All boats then were ordered back to base except PT-109, PT-162, and PT-169. They were to patrol the area.
It was a very dark and quiet night on the 2nd of August. PT-109 was going at very low speed with only one engine to minimize the wake which might be detected by Japanese patrol aircraft. Suddenly the crew realized they were right in front of an enemy ship. The destroyer, Amagiri, bore down on PT-109 at a very high speed. With no time to get her engines up to speed, PT-109 was cut in half and in flames.
Although well within firing distance, PT-169's torpedoes missed the Amagiri and the PT-162's failed to fire. Seeing the extent of the damage and fireball from PT-109, the other two PT boats returned to base without daring to stay and check for survivors.
PT-109 was indeed fatally damaged. Raging flames surrounded the forward hull. Miraculously, only two crew members were killed, and only two others were badly injured.
Using timber, life jackets and other parts lashed together, the seamen kicked for hours thru shark infested waters and reached a tiny island 3.5 miles away. They then moved to another island and survived on coconuts. Hiding for six days, and with the help of the local islanders, they were able to send their location information to the nearest base 35 miles away and finally were picked up by PT-157.
In May 2002, a National Geographic expedition found wreckage matching the description and location of Kennedy's vessel in the Solomon Islands. However, under current Navy policy, the wreckage site is a gravesite and may not be disturbed.
This PT-109 boat model is a representative of that story and the history of PT boats as a whole. The model was built by master craftsmen who handcrafted the nicely detailed model from scratch using photographs, drawings, and original plans. The model is built to scale with top quality woods with a hollow superstructure and hull. The model is 100% handcrafted using a plank-on-frame construction method, similar to the building of the actual vessel. Each model requires hundreds of hours to finish and must go through a demanding quality control process before leaving the manufacturers workshop. This model is mounted on a solid wood base and is ready to proudly display.
NOTE: History and out of crate images are credited to Modelshipmaster.com
PT-109 was a patrol torpedo (PT) boat commanded by Lieutenant John F. Kennedy in World War II. PT-109's keel was laid on March 4, 1942, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The boat was fitted out for war with four 21" torpedo tubes carrying Mark VIII torpedoes. Unlike most of her sister boats, PT-109 carried two depth charges, one on each side. Initially intended for possible use against submarines, these depth charges were later used to deter destroyers in pursuit.
On April 23, 1943, John F. Kennedy was given command of the PT-109. The crew was given the tough assignment of patrolling the Solomon Islands. The warm water caused rapid growth and buildup of marine life on the hull, reducing the boat’s speed to below 36 knots. This speed was less than the top speed of the Japanese cruisers and destroyers that protected Japanese supply barges which were the main target of PT boats.
Very dangerously, the PT boats had to get within two miles of their targets, and mostly at night. That was well within the gun range of enemy ships. The black powder charge that fired the well-greased torpedoes could cause the grease to ignite upon firing, giving out a flash and smoke that could easily reveal the boat's position. On top of that, PT boats used aviation gasoline that could destroy the whole boat if the engine compartment was hit. PT boats relied on their small size, darkness, and maneuverability as their survival tools.
On August 1st, PT-109 and 14 other boats were sent to sink a group of five enemy destroyers. The attacking squadron were ready to kill, but some of the 60 torpedoes exploded prematurely and not a single hit was made. All boats then were ordered back to base except PT-109, PT-162, and PT-169. They were to patrol the area.
It was a very dark and quiet night on the 2nd of August. PT-109 was going at very low speed with only one engine to minimize the wake which might be detected by Japanese patrol aircraft. Suddenly the crew realized they were right in front of an enemy ship. The destroyer, Amagiri, bore down on PT-109 at a very high speed. With no time to get her engines up to speed, PT-109 was cut in half and in flames.
Although well within firing distance, PT-169's torpedoes missed the Amagiri and the PT-162's failed to fire. Seeing the extent of the damage and fireball from PT-109, the other two PT boats returned to base without daring to stay and check for survivors.
PT-109 was indeed fatally damaged. Raging flames surrounded the forward hull. Miraculously, only two crew members were killed, and only two others were badly injured.
Using timber, life jackets and other parts lashed together, the seamen kicked for hours thru shark infested waters and reached a tiny island 3.5 miles away. They then moved to another island and survived on coconuts. Hiding for six days, and with the help of the local islanders, they were able to send their location information to the nearest base 35 miles away and finally were picked up by PT-157.
In May 2002, a National Geographic expedition found wreckage matching the description and location of Kennedy's vessel in the Solomon Islands. However, under current Navy policy, the wreckage site is a gravesite and may not be disturbed.
This PT-109 boat model is a representative of that story and the history of PT boats as a whole. The model was built by master craftsmen who handcrafted the nicely detailed model from scratch using photographs, drawings, and original plans. The model is built to scale with top quality woods with a hollow superstructure and hull. The model is 100% handcrafted using a plank-on-frame construction method, similar to the building of the actual vessel. Each model requires hundreds of hours to finish and must go through a demanding quality control process before leaving the manufacturers workshop. This model is mounted on a solid wood base and is ready to proudly display.