Diorama:

PT-109's Last Mission

USS PT-109, an 80-foot ELCO type motor torpedo boat, was placed in service in July 1942 as a unit of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron FIVE. She was shipped to the Pacific shortly thereafter and in September 1942 was transferred to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron TWO for service in the Solomon Islands during the ongoing Guadalcanal Campaign. During the last months of 1942 and the first part of 1943, PT-109 was employed on patrols in the waters adjacent to Guadalcanal, as part of an effort to prevent the Japanese from reinforcing their troops on the island. After the Japanese evacuated Guadalcanal in February 1943, PT-109 remained in the Solomons. Following the seizure of Rendova Island, near New Georgia, she was based there with other PT boats, charged with interdicting enemy shipping during the fight to capture New Georgia. While patrolling in Blackett Strait, on the southern side of Kolombangara Island, during the early hours of 2 August 1943, PT-109 was rammed by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri, cutting away the PT boat's starboard side and leaving her completely disabled. As she gradually sank during the day her eleven survivors abandoned ship to swim to an island some miles away. These men, led by their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) John F. Kennedy, had many adventures during the next week. With the aid of a Coastwatcher and local residents, PT-109's men were finally returned to the Rendova PT base on 8 August.

1st Prize Winner!! Military Diorama - 1st Caribbean Scale Auto Expo

This diorama was built using the old Revell 1/72th scale PT-109. Some modifications were made that included opening of the front and side windows on the chartroom,  handrails were scratch built from rod styrene and the models windshield was replaced with one made of crystal clear styrene.

The jeep comes from Academy's WWII Utility Vehicles set that also includes fuel drums, munitions and supplies crates. The dock was built using balsawood, white carpenters glue and some wood rods. The simulated old wood effect was created using a mix of artist acrylic paint and rubbing alcohol applied with a wide flat brush. Most of the scenery comes from Woodland Scenics materials except for the water which was created with acrylic resin.

The final details are courtesy of Airfix's Jungle outpost, source of the command post, the supplies shack, the bicycles and supplies crates. A wash of burnt umber mixed with alcohol was required to give the buildings the right look. The palm trees were built out of brown copper wire and real tree leaves cut with an xacto blade. It took a total of 34 hours to complete the project most of the time being invested in detailing the boat and the scratch-built details of the scenery.