Italeri ELCO 80 ‘PT – 596 TORPEDO BOAT

FIGURINES NOT INCLUDED

During the Second World War, the USNavy deployed three types of torpedo boats in large numbers: the 78-foot Higgins, and the 77-foot and 80-foot ELCOs. Each model was distinguished from the others, as well as by length, configuration, armament and various other details. The 80-foot ELCOs represented by far the largest group: they were built in five series, for a total of about 300 units. Built in mahogany, and powered by three 1,350hp Packard 4M-2500 engines (increased to 1,500 in the latest series), these boats easily exceeded 40 knots. The equipment and armament were continuously updated and improved thanks to the experience acquired in the field, and to the progressive change of role: as the conflict progressed, in fact, the PT Boats left their original task of attacking and blocking traffic, assuming that of gunboat, and operating near the coast or in canals. The Italeri model reproduces the PT 596, an 80-foot ELCO from the latest batch produced.