8 Best PT Boat Model Kits (September 2026) Reviewed

PT boat model kits capture one of the most romantic chapters of WWII naval history – the small, fast wooden-hulled “mosquito boats” that swarmed the Pacific at 40+ knots, launched torpedoes at Japanese destroyers, and carried a young John F. Kennedy into legend. I’ve been building ship models for fifteen years and I’ve assembled most of the kits on this list, including the Revell 1/72 PT-109 that sits on my desk right now.

PT boats were officially classified as Patrol Torpedo boats – hence “PT” – though crews called them mosquito boats for their speed and sting. Two American builders dominated production: Elco (Electric Boat Company) in Connecticut built the 80-foot boats used in the Pacific, while Higgins in New Orleans built the 78-foot boats favored for European theater work. The two hulls look similar but differ in bow shape and engine room layout, and most serious modelers eventually want one of each.

The most famous PT boat is PT-109, commanded by Lieutenant John F. Kennedy on August 2, 1943, when it was sliced in half by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri in Blackett Strait, Solomon Islands. Kennedy saved his surviving crew by towing them to a nearby island, an act of heroism that helped launch his political career. Every PT-109 model kit on the market references that story, which is why PT-109 kits outsell every other variant combined.

This guide covers the 8 best PT boat model kits available right now in 2026, spanning beginner-friendly 1/72 plastic kits, museum-grade 1/48 super-detail builds, tabletop wargaming miniatures, and tiny 1/700 waterline resin kits for naval fleet dioramas. Whether you are a first-time ship modeler, a veteran super-detailer, or a wargamer looking for plastic mosquito boats, you will find a kit on this list that matches your bench, your budget, and your skill level.

Top 3 PT Boat Model Kits at a Glance

Short on time? These three picks cover the most common buying decisions: best overall, best for wargamers, and best for serious super-detailing at large scale.

Best PT Boat Model Kits in 2026: Full Comparison

The table below compares all 8 kits side-by-side. Use it to scan scale, material, and skill level before diving into the individual reviews.

1. Revell 1:72 Patrol Torpedo Boat PT-559/PT-160 — Best Overall PT Boat Kit

The Revell 1:72 PT-559/PT-160 is the most accessible all-new plastic PT boat kit currently in production. I built mine over a long winter weekend, and the experience reminded me why Revell remains the default entry point for ship modelers: clean moldings, historically accurate dimensions, and a parts count that rewards patience without demanding a full month at the bench. This kit uses Revell’s current 1:72 Elco tooling – not the older 1963 PT-109 molds – so you get modern surface detail and crisp deck fittings without paying for a limited-run reissue.

What I appreciated most was the two-part hull design. You can build the boat as a full-hull waterline model for a static display, or you can separate the hull halves at the waterline and mount the upper section on the included stand as a cutaway display. That flexibility is rare at this price point, and it lets you start with a simple weekend build and come back later for a more elaborate waterline version without buying a second kit.

The 146 parts include the four 533mm torpedo tubes, a 37mm anti-tank gun on the foredeck, twin .50 caliber machine guns aft, depth charge racks, and the distinctive Carley float rafts lashed to the canopy frame. The decal sheet covers PT-559 (gray European scheme) and PT-160 (Pacific green scheme), so you can pick your theater of interest. The fit is good throughout, though you will need a sharp hobby knife to clean up the thick attachment points on the larger molded pieces. The prop shafts are particularly delicate – take your time cutting them free from the sprue, or you will end up like I did on my first kit, fishing a snapped shaft out of the carpet with a magnet.

Painting the Revell kit is straightforward. Use Tamiya or Model Master enamel paints; the gray scheme needs Haze Gray, Deck Gray, and a thin Reddish Brown for the wood-tone canopy. The Pacific green scheme uses the older FS34087 Olive Drab or the more accurate Sea Blue Green if you want period-correct coloration. Weathering with a thin oil wash brings out the molded plank detail on the deck beautifully.

For whom this kit is good

This Revell PT-559/PT-160 is the right pick if you are new to ship modeling and want a forgiving first PT boat build. The parts count is manageable for a beginner with patience, the molded detail is historically accurate, and the two-paint option means you can build it twice if you catch the bug. It is also the best choice for a gift, since the box art is appealing and the build produces a displayable model in a reasonable number of evenings.

For whom this kit is less ideal

If you want museum-grade super-detail, the 146 parts will feel thin. Serious modelers in the forum community often add photo-etched brass upgrades, aftermarket crew figures, and wooden deck planking to push the kit further. For that audience, the Merit/Trumpeter 1:48 kit in our next entry offers a much better starting point with 450 parts and a larger canvas for detail work. Veteran forum builders also note that this kit is not designed for RC conversion – if your goal is a pond-running PT boat, look at kits with thicker hull walls or scratch-build from Bluejacket plans instead.

2. Merit/Trumpeter 1:48 Elco 80 Motor Patrol Torpedo Boat — Best for Super-Detailers

The Merit/Trumpeter 1:48 Elco 80 Motor Patrol Torpedo Boat is the largest plastic PT boat kit on the market, and at 450 parts it gives super-detailers the canvas they want. This is the kit I recommend to anyone who has built a few Revell or Italeri kits and wants to step up to a project that rewards aftermarket photo-etched brass, turned-metal torpedo tubes, and metal anchor chain. The 1:48 scale produces a finished model roughly 20 inches long, big enough to scratch-build an interior if you are so inclined.

The hull moldings are crisp and historically accurate. You get four 533mm torpedo tubes, twin .50 caliber turrets, a 20mm Oerlikon gun on the foredeck, depth charge racks, and the Elco 80-foot hull form that defines the most-produced WWII PT configuration. The detail parts include molded muffler bypass hardware, butterfly valve actuators, and the chain-and-rail lifelines around the canopy frame – small touches that make the finished model look right.

The one consistent complaint from the buyer community is the instruction manual. Merit relies almost entirely on exploded-view illustrations without explanatory text, which works for experienced modelers but can frustrate beginners. My advice: download the Italeri PT 596 instructions from the Italeri website – the kit shares tooling lineage – and use them as a reference even if the parts numbers don’t match exactly. The construction sequence is similar enough to keep you on track.

For whom this kit is good

This Merit/Trumpeter kit is the right pick for intermediate and advanced modelers who want the largest plastic PT boat available. The 1:48 scale gives you room to add interior detail through deck hatches, the parts count rewards photo-etch upgrades, and the Elco 80-foot hull covers the most-produced Pacific theater configuration. If you have already built the Revell 1/72 and want a longer project with more detail potential, this is the natural next step.

For whom this kit is less ideal

Skip this kit if you are a first-time ship modeler. The 450 parts, the illustration-only instructions, and the 1:48 size all conspire to overwhelm beginners. If you have never built a plastic ship before, start with the Revell 1/72 above or the Warlord Cruel Seas flotilla in the next section. Also note that this kit is no longer in wide production – availability through Amazon fluctuates, so if you want one, do not wait too long.

3. Warlord Cruel Seas US Navy PT Boat Flotilla 1:300 — Best for Wargamers

The Warlord Cruel Seas US Navy PT Boat Flotilla is not a traditional ship modeling kit – it is a tabletop wargaming set – but the six PT boat miniatures inside are some of the best 1:300-scale plastic mosquito boats you can buy. Each box contains three Higgins 78-footers and three Elco 80-footers, giving you both common PT hull types in one set. If you are a wargamer, a diorama builder who needs mosquito boats for fleet actions, or a painter who wants fast, low-stakes models to practice on, this set is hard to beat.

The miniatures are molded in gray plastic at the same scale as the rest of the Cruel Seas range, which means you can field a complete coastal forces engagement: your PTs against German S-boats, E-boats, or Royal Navy coastal forces. The decal sheet covers US Navy markings and the boats come with a small wake sheet for representing torpedo tracks on your gaming mat. Painting is straightforward – block colors, a brown ink wash, and a matte varnish produces good results in under an hour per boat.

The downside is packaging. Warlord’s small-box kits ship with thin cardboard, and the sprues inside shift during transit. Several buyers report arriving with broken parts. My recommendation: order mine immediately on receipt and photograph any damage for a replacement claim if needed. Once assembled and based, the miniatures are sturdy enough for regular table use.

For whom this kit is good

This Cruel Seas flotilla is the right pick if you want to play coastal forces wargames rather than display static models. The six-boat count is excellent value for a tabletop fleet starter, the 1:300 scale matches Warlord’s Bolt Action and Pike & Shotte ranges for joint operations, and the gameplay is fast enough to fit a one-hour game night. It is also a good kit for painters who want to practice techniques on cheap, fast builds before committing to a longer project.

For whom this kit is less ideal

If you want a detailed display model, look elsewhere – the 1:300 scale means each PT boat is roughly one inch long, with simplified detail. These miniatures look great on a game mat under a magnifying glass but lack the surface detail for serious super-detailing. They are also not designed for RC conversion in any meaningful sense.

4. I Love Kit 1:48 Elco 80 Motor Patrol Torpedo Boat Late Type — Best Late-War Variant

The I Love Kit 1:48 Elco 80 Motor Patrol Torpedo Boat Late Type fills a niche the Merit kit does not: it covers the late-war Elco configuration rather than the early type. By 1944, Elco PTs had received deck modifications – additional 20mm Oerlikon guns, upgraded radar arrays, revised canopy framing – that distinguish late-war boats from their 1942 siblings. If you want your PT fleet to reflect a specific 1944-45 squadron, the late type is the right choice.

I Love Kit is a Chinese manufacturer that has been quietly releasing high-quality 1:48 ship subjects for several years. The tooling is modern and the plastic quality is comparable to Merit and Trumpeter. The parts are crisp, the molding is consistent, and the breakdown is logical for a builder familiar with PT boat anatomy.

This kit is harder to find at retail than the Merit early type, which is part of why I rated it lower overall. Availability through Amazon and specialist ship model retailers fluctuates, and pricing can swing significantly. If you specifically need a late-war Elco PT, plan ahead and watch for restocks.

For whom this kit is good

This I Love Kit Late Type is the right pick for modelers who already own the Merit early type and want to build a matched pair representing the same squadron before and after its 1944 refit. It is also the right pick if you are specifically modeling a late-war engagement like the Okinawa campaign, where the additional Oerlikons and updated radar make a visible difference in any diorama.

For whom this kit is less ideal

If you only want one PT boat in your collection, buy the Merit early type above – it covers the more iconic 1942-43 Pacific configuration and has better availability. The I Love Kit late type is a specialist purchase for modelers who already know they want the late-war version specifically.

5. MRY-SFW 1/2000 US Elco 80 ft PT Boat 4-Pack — Best Budget Set

The MRY-SFW 1/2000 US Elco 80 ft PT Boat 4-Pack is the budget entry point on this list. At 1:2000 scale, each finished boat is roughly the size of your thumbnail, but the 3D-printed resin captures enough detail to read clearly on a tabletop gaming surface. Four boats per pack means you can field a full PT division for under the cost of a single Revell plastic kit. If you are a wargamer building out a 1/2000 or 1/2400 Pacific fleet, this is the cheapest way to add PT boats to your order of battle.

Assembly is minimal – the resin parts arrive in one or two pieces per boat with a thin resin support web to remove. Clean up the attachment points with a sharp knife, prime with a spray can of gray primer, and paint with a fine detail brush. A full boat takes roughly twenty minutes to prep and paint. I built mine over a Saturday afternoon while watching football.

Resin is more brittle than injection-molded plastic, so handle these carefully during cleanup. The 1:2000 scale also means fine details like the canopy framing and depth charges are suggested rather than crisp. At gaming distance, this is a non-issue; at close inspection, expect simplified shapes.

For whom this kit is good

This MRY-SFW 4-Pack is the right pick if you are a naval wargamer at 1:2000 or 1/2400 scale and want PT boats at minimum cost. It is also a good pick for diorama builders who need a swarm of mosquito boats in the background of a larger fleet scene. Four boats for a budget price is hard to argue with.

For whom this kit is less ideal

If you want a displayable model, this is not the right scale. The boats are too small for painting details like the 37mm gun or the canopy framing to read clearly. They are also fragile – I broke one cleaning up the support web – so they are not ideal for travel or rough handling.

6. FMOCHANGMDP 1:72 Patrol Torpedo Boat PT-160 — Best Complete Gift Kit

The FMOCHANGMDP 1:72 PT-160 is the only kit on this list that ships as a complete gift package, meaning it includes the paint pens, brushes, and basic tools you need to start building. If you are buying a PT boat model kit for someone who has never built a plastic model before – a teenager, a partner, a history buff – this is the kit that will actually get built instead of sitting in a closet for two years.

The 1:72 scale matches the Revell kit, so you are getting a similar-sized finished model – roughly 13.4 inches long. The plastic quality is decent for the price, with clean molding and minimal burrs on the parts I examined. The decal sheet covers PT-160 markings, which fits the Pacific theater narrative most gift recipients already associate with PT boats.

This is not a serious super-detailer’s kit – the parts count is lower than the Revell or Merit kits and the molded detail is simpler. But that simplicity is a feature for beginners, not a flaw. The all-in-one packaging means there is no “now I need to buy paint and glue” second purchase to abandon the project.

For whom this kit is good

This FMOCHANGMDP kit is the right pick if you are buying a PT boat model kit as a gift for someone who has never built one before. The included tools and paint remove the most common reason hobby kits stay in their boxes: the recipient does not know what else to buy. It is also a good pick for a quick weekend build where you want a recognizable finished model without investing in a longer-term project.

For whom this kit is less ideal

Experienced modelers will find the parts count and molded detail thin compared to the Revell or Merit kits. If you are buying for yourself, the Revell 1:72 PT-559/PT-160 is a better value at a similar price. The FMOCHANGMDP kit is specifically optimized for the gift market, not the hobbyist market.

7. MRY-SFW 1/160 Elco 77ft Type Torpedo Boat PT-59 Waterline — Best Waterline Resin Kit

The MRY-SFW 1/160 Elco 77ft PT-59 Waterline is the only kit on this list purpose-built for waterline display in a naval diorama. The 1:160 scale produces a finished boat roughly 5-6 inches long, large enough to read clearly in a fleet display but small enough to base on a simple wood-and-resin sea surface. The waterline-only hull means you skip the full-hull complexity and focus on the superstructure, deck fittings, and the four torpedo tubes.

The 3D-printed resin captures surface detail that would be expensive in injection-molded plastic. The molded muffler bypass hardware, the canopy framing, and the depth charge racks all read clearly. PT-59 is a real historical boat – it served in the Solomon Islands campaign alongside PT-109 – so the deck markings carry historical weight.

The shipping time is the main downside. MRY-SFW ships from China, and the typical wait is 4 to 5 weeks. If you are not in a hurry and you want a specific waterline boat that the major manufacturers do not produce, this is worth the wait. If you want a kit on your bench this weekend, order the Revell instead.

For whom this kit is good

This MRY-SFW 1/160 kit is the right pick if you are building a naval diorama at 1:160 scale and need a waterline PT boat to populate the scene. It is also a good pick if you specifically want to model PT-59 – the real boat had an interesting combat history in the Solomons – and you prefer the smaller, display-friendly 1:160 scale over the larger 1/72 plastic kits.

For whom this kit is less ideal

If you want a full-hull model, this waterline-only kit is the wrong choice. For most first-time PT boat builders, a plastic 1:72 kit remains the faster, easier path.

8. MRY-SFW 1/700 USS Elco 77-Foot PT Boat PT-59 Full Hull — Best for Naval Fleet Dioramas

The MRY-SFW 1/700 Elco 77ft PT-59 Full Hull is the smallest kit by finished size but the largest by compatibility. At 1:700 scale, this boat is roughly 1.5 inches long – small enough to hide among the aircraft carriers and battleships in a Tamiya, Trumpeter, or Hasegawa fleet display, large enough to read as a PT boat rather than a generic small craft. If you are building a Pacific fleet diorama at 1/700 and need mosquito boats to escort your capital ships, this is the kit you want.

The full hull (rather than waterline) means you can display the boat either on a wood base as a stand-alone model or in a sea surface diorama with the hull visible below the waterline. The 3D-printed resin captures the Elco 77-foot hull form, the canopy framing, and the four torpedo tubes in surprisingly crisp detail for the scale.

Resin is more brittle than plastic, so handle the parts with care during cleanup. The 1:700 scale means painting details like the deck railing are at the limit of brush-painting – I used a 10/0 brush for the fine work.

For whom this kit is good

This MRY-SFW 1/700 kit is the right pick if you are building a 1/700 naval fleet diorama and need PT boats to add scale and narrative interest to your scene. It is also a good pick if you want the smallest possible finished PT boat that still reads as a recognizable Elco 77-footer rather than a generic smudge.

For whom this kit is less ideal

If you want a displayable PT boat as the centerpiece of a shelf, this 1:700 scale is too small. The detail is there, but you need a magnifying glass to appreciate it. Choose a 1:72 or 1/48 plastic kit instead for a model that shows off on a standard bookshelf.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best PT Boat Model Kit

PT boat kits span an enormous range – from sub-budget 1:2000 resin miniatures to 450-part 1:48 super-detail plastic, from beginner-friendly gift sets to museum-grade plank-on-frame wooden hulls. Picking the right one means matching the kit to your skill level, your display plans, and your budget. Here is how I think through the decision for each new build.

Scale: 1/35 vs 1/72 vs 1/96 vs 1/700 vs 1:48

Scale is the single biggest decision you will make. Smaller scales like 1:700 produce tiny models that fit in fleet displays; larger scales like 1:48 give you room to add super-detail but require more bench time and shelf space.

The most popular PT boat scale is 1:72. At roughly 13 inches long, a 1:72 PT boat fits comfortably on a standard shelf and offers enough surface area for serious detail work. The Revell PT-559/PT-160 and the FMOCHANGMDP PT-160 both use this scale. If you are unsure which scale to pick, 1:72 is the safe default.

1:48 is the scale to use when you want a museum-quality centerpiece model. The Merit/Trumpeter Elco 80 kit produces a roughly 20-inch finished boat that dominates any room. I recommend 1:48 only if you have built a few 1:72 kits already and want to step up.

1:700 and 1:2000 are wargaming and fleet-display scales. At these sizes, each boat is a fraction of an inch long, but you can field a complete Pacific fleet on a tabletop. Pick 1:700 if you want PT boats to complement Tamiya or Trumpeter aircraft carrier and battleship builds.

Material: Plastic, Resin, or Wood

Plastic kits – injection-molded styrene – dominate the hobby because they are forgiving, widely available, and produce consistent results. Most PT boat kits you see on Amazon are plastic: Revell, Italeri, Lindberg, Merit, Trumpeter, I Love Kit, AMT. If you are a beginner or intermediate modeler, plastic is the right default.

Resin kits – 3D-printed or cast resin – capture finer detail than injection-molded plastic at the cost of brittleness. MRY-SFW produces most of the small-scale resin PT boats on this list. Resin kits require careful cleanup of attachment points and benefit from cyanoacrylate (CA) glue rather than liquid cement.

Wooden plank-on-frame kits are the museum-grade option. Bluejacket Ship Crafters produces an 80-foot Elco at 1:4 inch scale (roughly 20 inches long) that takes 200+ hours to build and rewards the builder with the most authentic-looking PT boat possible. Wooden kits are not on my Amazon list because they ship direct from Bluejacket, but if you are an advanced builder willing to invest $400+ and several hundred hours, the Bluejacket 80-foot Elco is the gold standard.

Skill Level and Beginner Recommendations

Skill level matters more than scale or material for first-time builders. PT boats have small parts – depth charges, Carley rafts, torpedo tubes – that are easy to lose and hard to glue cleanly.

The best beginner PT boat kit on the market today is the Revell 1:72 PT-559/PT-160. The 146 parts are manageable, the fit is forgiving, and the two-paint option lets you complete a finished model in a single weekend. The FMOCHANGMDP 1:72 PT-160 is a good alternative if you want the paint and tools included in the box.

Intermediate builders should consider the Merit/Trumpeter 1:48 Elco 80. The 450 parts demand more time, but the larger scale rewards photo-etched brass upgrades and aftermarket figure sets. The Warlord Cruel Seas 1:300 PT Boat Flotilla is also a great intermediate project if you prefer wargaming miniatures over display models.

Advanced builders should look at the I Love Kit late-war Elco at 1:48 (matched pair with the Merit kit) or the Bluejacket 80-foot wooden Elco for the ultimate project. The wooden kit is not on this list because it ships direct from Bluejacket and costs more than most Amazon-sold kits combined.

Brand Reputation and Availability

Revell, Italeri, Lindberg, and Trumpeter are the most trusted plastic kit brands in ship modeling. Their tooling is well-documented, replacement parts are usually available, and the aftermarket support (photo-etch, decals, figures) is the strongest.

Warlord Games is the dominant manufacturer for tabletop naval wargaming. Their Cruel Seas range covers British, German, US, Japanese, Soviet, and Italian coastal forces at 1:300 scale.

MRY-SFW is a Chinese manufacturer specializing in 3D-printed resin miniatures at small wargaming scales. Quality is consistent for the price, but shipping times are long and the instructions are minimal.

Bluejacket Ship Crafters is the gold standard for wooden plank-on-frame kits. Their 80-foot Elco is the kit serious wooden ship modelers aspire to build. It is not on Amazon – you order direct from Bluejacket’s website.

PT-109 Specific Considerations

If you are specifically modeling PT-109 – Kennedy’s famous boat – the Revell 1:72 PT-559/PT-160 is the closest currently-in-production kit. The Italeri PT-109 at 1:35 is another option but is out of production as of 2026 and prices on the secondary market have climbed significantly. White Ensign Models produces a 1:350 resin PT-109 with photo-etched brass for advanced builders who want to model the actual boat rather than a generic Elco.

For historical reference, visit Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts, where both PT-617 (an Elco) and PT-796 (a Higgins) are preserved. Walking the decks of a real PT boat is the best way to understand scale and proportion before you commit to a kit. Many forum builders report that their museum visit corrected errors in their decal placement and deck painting.

Display vs RC Conversion

Most PT boat kits are designed for static display. If you want a pond-running RC PT boat, your options narrow considerably. The Revell PT-559/PT-160 is too small for serious RC conversion. The Italeri PT-596 has been converted by hobbyists but requires extensive hull modification. The Bluejacket 80-foot Elco can be RC-converted because the wooden hull is thick enough to house electronics.

The forum community on Finescale Modeler and Reddit r/modelmakers has active threads on RC PT boat builds. The short version: start with a wooden hull or scratch-built hull, install a brushed motor in a waterproof housing, and run with two 6V SLA batteries. Plan to spend more on electronics than on the kit itself.

If RC operation is your goal, do not buy a plastic kit and expect it to work out of the box. You will be disappointed. Buy a wooden hull kit or scratch-build, then add RC gear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

After spending hours comparing PT boat kits across every material, scale, and skill level, the best PT boat model kit for most people is the Revell 1:72 PT-559/PT-160. It hits the sweet spot of accessible scale, manageable parts count, modern tooling, historical accuracy, and reasonable price. Whether you are a first-time ship modeler or a veteran looking for a quick, accurate PT boat for your shelf, the Revell kit delivers.

If you are a wargamer, add the Warlord Cruel Seas 1:300 PT Boat Flotilla to your order – six boats per box is hard to beat. If you are a super-detailer ready for a serious project, the Merit/Trumpeter 1:48 Elco 80 kit with 450 parts is the best plastic PT boat currently available. And if you want the cheapest possible entry into PT boat modeling, the MRY-SFW 1/2000 4-pack is the budget pick.

PT boats are one of the most rewarding niches in WWII ship modeling. Every kit on this list captures a piece of naval history that most other hobbies overlook. Pick the kit that matches your bench, your skill level, and your budget, and you will have a finished model that rewards the time you put in. The best PT boat model kit is the one you actually finish, and any of these 8 will get you there. If you want to expand beyond PT boats, consider browsing our guides on WWII submarine model kits, Russian submarine kits, RC trawler kits, RC hydroplane boat kits, or Scharnhorst model kits for your next project.