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Topic: PT658 Just got more Mark 13 torpedoes! |
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Jerry Gilmartin
TOP BOSS
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 Posted on: Nov 5, 2006 - 8:19am
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Hi Capt Frank,
I think I read somewhere in one of your past posts from the pre-crash message board that you were looking for somewhere to obtain some Mark 13 torpedoes for your travelling PT Boat display. I worked, as acting curator for the PT658 boat, through the Keyport Naval Undersea Museum and was able to obtain three of these torpedoes from them, on a museum-to-museum loan. They posted an informational message explaining the availability of these torpedoes in the Historic Naval Ships Associations' newsletter, the "Anchor Watch" about 1 year ago, (Fall 2005 issue), and I filled out their application forms and submitted them last year. Finally, after almost an entire year of delays, we got through the problems of transportation, forklifts, and bureaucracy and actually put it all together and got the torpedoes! I recently remembered vaguely that it was you who was asking if anyone knows where to get some of these, and I was planning to inform you last July but then the message board crashed and I could not figure out how to get in touch with you. Last week we picked the "new" torpedoes up from Keyport and are now in the process of refurbishing the paint and fittings so that we can mount them in new roll-off racks on board the PT658. So finally the PT658 will have a full complement of 4 torpedoes on board! I spoke to Jennifer H, the curator of the Keyport Museum and she said you might be able to get one or two if you contacted her, but she told me she already had been in touch with you. So I guesss you already knew about these torpedoes? Anyway, just in case you did not, you do now. I am sorry I could not remember that it was you who was looking. Hopefully you may still be able to obtain one. Good luck! Jerry Gilmartin
PS By the way we have a pretty good website, showing restoration status. www.savetheptboatinc.com It has numerous photos showing how the boat looks and recent underway periods with the boat. Recently we are installing depression rails around the 50 caliber MG's and repairing the center engine supercharger high speed drive shaft oil seal ring. We also are still actively saving up money to build a boathouse to get the boat out of the weather. There always seems to be more to do!
Jerry Gilmartin |
Total Posts: 1428 | Joined:
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Steve Tuhy
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Nov 14, 2006 - 6:54am
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HELLO JERRY;
I'M WORKING ON SOME DRAWINGS OF MK. XIII TORPEDOS
AND I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD PROVIDE ME WITH A PHOTO OF THE IMPELLER/EXPLODER PLATE ON THE WARHEAD.
Steve Tuhy |
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Jerry Gilmartin
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Nov 14, 2006 - 9:17pm
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OK Steve, next time I go over there, we have one torpedo that still has that plate and impeller on it so I will take a digital picture and sent it to you probably within a week or so...Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin |
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Jerry Gilmartin
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Nov 14, 2006 - 9:35pm
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Steve,
I forgot to add in previous note, that Gene Slover has an excellent website that includes rate training manuals with cutaway pictures of the Mark 13 and Mark 14 torpedoes. There is a Chapter 12 section B about the warhead of the mark 14, which shows the impeller mechanism and exploder cutaway drawings, and in section H it shows a cutaway Mark 13 torpedo and explains the differences between it and a Mark 14. I am pretty sure that both torpedoes use the same or very similar exploder mechanisms. Here is the link http://www.eugeneleeslover.com/USNAVY/CHAPTER-12-H.html
Good luck! Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin |
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Steve Tuhy
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Nov 15, 2006 - 5:19am
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THANKS JERRY.
Steve Tuhy |
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 13, 2007 - 11:24pm
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Latest update!
Here are some pictures of the crew of the PT658 mounting our new Mark 13 torpedoes on May 5 2007. The USCGC Bluebell ( a buoy tender) was kind enough to pick up the torpedoes with its crane and load them onto the last operating and 100% authentically restored US Navy WW2 Higgins PT Boat in the world, PT 658. Jerry
image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/pt658_navytimes606.jpg">
Jerry Gilmartin |
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 13, 2007 - 11:27pm
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Oops! Here is that last one from June 2006 for comparison. Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin |
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 14, 2007 - 6:43am
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Jerry:
The boat looks super and those torpedoes really fill her out. She now looks ready for ACTION!!!! You guys are something. Many of us can learn from your efforts and determination in getting the job done. My hats off to all of your members of which I hope to be shortly.
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Greg Matthews |
Advanced Member
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Posted on: May 14, 2007 - 7:11am
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Jerry-
The 658 looks fabulous! It looks very very similar to my model of my Dad's boat. I am 2nd Generation RON16 and Higgins all the way. Keep her running smooth and on patrol. Excellent work to the boys on your crew and of course to our Coast Guard also.
Greg
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