Gecko Models' new 1/35 scale US Navy Patrol Craft Fast (PCF) Mk.1 "Swift Boat"

Gecko models present their 1/35th-scale Vietnam-era US Navy Patrol Craft Fast (PCF) Mk.1. "Swift Boat" in CADs & art We look at it in our preview...

Gecko Models' new 1/35 scale US Navy Patrol Craft Fast (PCF) Mk.1  "Swift Boat"

US Navy Patrol Craft Fast (PCF) Mk.1  "Swift Boat"

Gecko Models

1/35th scale

Kit No: #35GM010

Plastic injection kit

Gecko Models website

The Subject: The US Navy Patrol Craft Fast (PCF) Mk.1  "Swift Boat"

The Patrol Craft Fast (PCF) Mk.1, affectionately and enduringly known as the "Swift Boat", was a foundational asset for the U.S. Navy's riverine operations during the Vietnam War. Measuring 50 feet in length, these all-aluminium vessels were originally adapted from commercial watercraft used to service offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Powered by twin diesel engines, the Mk.1 could reach speeds of up to 23 knots, making them highly agile in confined environments. They were heavily armed for their size, typically boasting a distinctive "over-and-under" mount that paired a . 50-calibre machine gun with an 81mm mortar on the aft deck, alongside dual. 50-calibre machine guns situated atop the pilot house.

Patrol Craft Fast 53 stateside, on a short run.

Initially deployed in mid-1965 as part of Task Force 115 (the Coastal Surveillance Force), the primary mission of the Swift Boat was Operation Market Time. Working in small, coordinated teams of three to five vessels, these crews patrolled more than 1,500 miles of coastal waters, shallow bays, and winding rivers to interdict Viet Cong supply lines, weapon shipments, and contraband. Their shallow draft allowed them to pierce deep into the delta networks, effectively sealing off maritime infiltration routes that larger naval warships could not reach. Beyond blockade enforcement, they frequently served as tactical transport for elite U.S. Navy SEAL teams striking deep behind enemy lines.

PCF-55 Patrol Boat (FAST), "Swift Boat", in 1966 or 1967

Operating a Swift Boat was an intensely perilous assignment, exposing a tight-knit crew of six—typically one officer and five enlisted sailors—to constant ambush from the dense mangrove shorelines. The aluminium hulls offered minimal protection against heavy small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, forcing crews to rely entirely on speed, aggressive firepower, and raw seamanship to survive close-quarters firefighting. 

Despite these extreme vulnerabilities, the PCF Mk. 1 crews established a legendary reputation for bravery. Their relentless brown-water operations fundamentally reshaped modern coastal warfare strategy and secured the Swift Boat an iconic place in naval history.

Fast Patrol Crafts (PCF, Swift Boat) operating up a narrow river in Vietnam, 1960s

The Kit: Gecko Models 1/35 scale US Navy Patrol Craft Fast (PCF) Mk.1. "Swift Boat"

Gercko Models new 1/35 scale US Navy Patrol Craft Fast (PCF) Mk.1. "Swift Boat" is due for release in about two months' time (maybe for Xmas if we are lucky). 

Features of the kit:

We can see here three views of the kit, with all its features coloured in camo in CAD. The front climb netting is seen below rendered in CAD, and in the kit it is 3D-printed for a good "drop" over the nose of the craft.

Interior Cabin and Berthing Area: This view highlights the detailed interior layout of the crew quarters. It shows a multi-tier bunk bed system with stacked mattresses and blankets secured by heavy mounting chains. An M60 light machine gun rests stowed on a lower storage bench. In the background, a central ladder leads up to the main bridge deck next to a steering wheel, helm instrumentation, radio communications equipment, and a small counter workstation equipped with a galley pot.

Deck Ammunition Storage Box: This top-down angle shows an open rectangular storage trunk mounted securely to the aft deck. The primary section is loaded with uniform rows of cylindrical mortar or artillery shells nestled side-by-side, while the side compartment houses stacked rectangular ammunition crates. An 81 mm mortar/.50-calibre dual combo weapon mount is positioned immediately next to the locker.

Pilot House Twin .50-Calibre Turret: This perspective showcases the elevated forward gun tub located atop the pilot house. It features a twin. A 50-calibre heavy machine gun setup integrated into a circular rotating turret ring. Curved ammunition chutes loop upward from the floor well, feeding linked cartridge belts directly into both weapons.

This set of three distinct cutaway viewpoints outlines different interior living and command segments through the vessel's windows:

• Top: Focuses directly inside the main helm station, showcasing the captain's chair, large steering wheel, and overhead radio console setup.

• Middle: Peers through a slanted side window into an active crew desk station detailed with documents, loose manuals, and personal coffee mugs.

• Bottom: Features a view looking straight into a sleeping bunk area positioned alongside a fully equipped compact galley sink and food-prep counter.

You can find out more about Gecko Models kits on their website