I am not a fan of American prototypes even less anything military but I chanced across a Merit 1:48 PT boat in the model shop a few years ago and took a shot at it as it looked just big enough and something easy to complete in a couple of weeks and not needing anything special in terms of power or R/C.
I re-made the deck for mine from a fresh sheet of polystyrene as it allowed me to have better access inside. No special tools or methods, everything cut using a craft knife and scissors once the original deck was traced out. It saved a good few grams of weight also and I just transfered the original plastic parts back accross and re-made some other parts with polystyrene strip. I did not fit every detail part and substituted just one or two thin plastic rods with Brass rod as I just knew the plastic parts would get broken.
It sails very well on a 400 brushed motor on 7.2v 1,600mA-h ni-mh pack. It couldn't really (shouldn't) go much faster with only the last third of the hull in the water and on full charge I got up to 20mins last time I sailed it. If I could do anything different again I would not have fitted a 4mm prop shaft. A 2mm one would probaby do just as well and would save a good bit more weight.
...Worth a shot as an option if you come across one and are interested. Have attached some pics.
Rich
