The Revell 1/72 scale Swift Boat Mk.1 model kit is an all-new tooling of a boat that figured prominently during the U.S.’s involvement in Vietnam. Beginning in 1965, the Swift Boat Mk.1 deployed to Vietnam for nearshore patrol and anti-smuggling roles. Based on a water-taxi design used to transport oil-rig crews, the boat properly referred to as the Patrol Craft Fast had modifications including habitability for the crew of five, a twin .50-caliber machine gun above the pilot house, and a .50-caliber machine gun combined with a breech loading 81mm mortar developed by the Coast Guard on the aft deck. Following the loss of three boats in heavy weather in 1966, they were used primarily for riverine patrol in the Mekong delta.
Opening the box reveals a full hull, full deck, and just two parts trees, along with one sheet of clear acetate with printed window outlines and a decal sheet for three different boats. It’s a quick build with 34 steps and 103 parts. The instructions include color callouts throughout, and Step 1 has the only bit of extra work, which requires you to drill a .5mm hole in the bow tow plate.
The boat includes an interior that, according to photos I found, appears accurate, including a galley sink and faucet. You’ll want to pre-paint the interior and exterior of the deckhouse unless you plan to mask all 16 windows of the cabin. Some windows were painted over boats in service, but it proved easiest to paint and then mount the acetate windows. Note: When cutting the windows, cut just inside the black lines for proper fit.
I deviated at Step 21 and did not glue the top deck figuring it would be nice to view the interior work and add items of interest later. Fortunately, it fits well. You can pose the doors open or closed, and if you do not glue the forward twin-.50, it can be elevated. The kit does not include thread for the pilothouse rail, but I was able to scare some up out of my spares box.
The decals provide markings for three boats: PCF-103, -65 and -9, all with different national markings on the roof of the pilothouse. I chose PCF-103 and had to cut the oversize U.S. star to fit around the navigation lights. A fine raised line on the hull helped align the waterline decals; they fit, but I prefer to paint boot stripes. A quick hint about curling decal flags: Mount the decal onto flagstaff, run a line of acrylic flat clear varnish on the inside near the flagstaff edge, then another stripe on the opposite side edge. They tend to draw in and create the curl a real flag would have. Note: This swift boat was in service after both Alaska and Hawaii had become states, so the U.S. flag in the kit with 48 stars is incorrect. I replicated whip antennas shown in the box art with stretched sprue.
Overall, Revell’s 1/72 scale Swift Boat Mk.1 is a nice kit that fills a niche left vacant for too long. The boat could be paired with any number of the many scale figures and era-specific vehicles available to make a vignette or diorama.