I got this 1:72 scale PT 815 (or TB-15) Torpedo Patrol Boat not because of its fairly realistic detailing nor it has an interesting historical back-story, it’s more or less than a decade ago I was browsing around a hobby shop when I saw this kit, its of an unpopular (back
then) brand (Mini Hobby Models) … besides being quite affordable for me; I got
interested because the “Hull” is large enough
and have provisions to motorize and I though it would be cool to also
add a ) Radio Control (RC) System, I had access to a private swimming
pool back then and though I can run it there.
For Throttle control an
electronic speed control circuit (ESC) is ideal but I viewed it too expensive
for a weekend experimental–leisure project, I decided to fabricate a mechanical
variable speed control mechanism that will be controlled by a “servo” from a
two channel RC system which I already have, It took me months of weekends to
complete this boat from the assembling of the model to making and fitting the
power and radio control system. The day came when I have to test it on the pool
and …prrrt! the result is not exciting as I have anticipated, its not moving as
fast as I want and it turned out that the “pool” is not large enough to see its
maneuvering capacities. I had planned on refining the control mechanism and
upgrading the motor but never really gone about in doing it, I don’t know an
ideal place to run it anyway. Because of it size I reckon that a large calm to
stagnant puddle, pool or pond is the
right surface that it can operate. I’ve been triying to sell this boat online
for several years now since I’m at a situation that a model of such a size and
fragility is impractical to keep.
Modern Torpedo boats was first
used as a specialized war vessel during World War Two (WW2), with its short-notice operational
readiness, low profile and manueverability the craft’s primary function is to intercept-destroy larger
(and small) warships that will approach it’s protected territorial coastlines
with hostile intention.. The PT 815 is
not an iconic piece of subject in the
mainstream scale modelling world, it’s not easy to find reference for its
comprehensive “real world” operational history, one of the most viable
information regarding this type of vessel is that it was built in Japan and it
was used primarily by the “Japan Maritime Self
Defense Force (JMSDF)” from the mid 1970’s until it was gradually
replaced by more advance torpedo and missile carrying patrol boats. The PT 815 was also used as a
test platform for many of the modern maritime weapons system that we see today.
"I decided to fabricate a mechanical
variable speed control mechanism that will be controlled by a “servo” from a
two channel RC system which I already have."
1/72 scale(sc) MHM PT815 Torpedo Boat with two "scratch-built" carboard composite aircraft scale models. A 1:68sc BN Islander (blue shade) and a 1:72sc P-26 peashooter
