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The PT Boat Forum ª PT Boats of WWII ª  PT Boats - General

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 Author  Topic: 20MM Splinter Shield
Frank J Andruss Sr

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank J Andruss Sr   Send Email To Frank J Andruss Sr Posted on: Apr 10, 2011 - 7:05am
So many models of PT-109 have been made over the years, I was wondering when did PT-109 get rid of her aft splinter shield on the 20mm cannon. I have seen models with and without, but with not much photographic evidence out there, it is hard to support the removal. I had some shots of the 109 when she was being transported but do not remember what the gun shows. In the movie PT-109, she is shown with the shield in place. Former gunners mate Larry Olgivie, who served with Ron 5 and happened to be with Kennedy when the boat was sunk on PT-163, mentioned to me that some of the boats had removed those shields, and some kept them. He did not mention any dates in his conversation, so hence my question about PT-109.

While we are on the subject, does anyone know of any companies that sell the 20mm Cannon or PT Boat parts in 1/24 scale?.......................


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alross2

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of alross2   Send Email To alross2 Posted on: Apr 10, 2011 - 7:41am
The shield is not fitted to the 109 in photos of her being shipped.

1/24 scale resin and cast metal parts for PTs are available from: http://www.johnrhaynes.com. His stuff is also sold through the Floating Drydock http://www.floatingdrydock.com John's fittings are exquisite. I've used them for a number of projects and am delighted with the quality.

Al Ross

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Frank J Andruss Sr

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank J Andruss Sr   Send Email To Frank J Andruss Sr Posted on: Apr 10, 2011 - 7:48am
Thanks for the links on the parts Al. I will check them out a little later. Still wondering when and why the shields were removed. In many of the shots I have from Elco, they show the boats with the shields attached on trial runs. Were the shields removed just for the trip over? Why would they remove the shields so quickly from the factory to the war zone, when these were the first 80 footers to see service. Was this decided prior to shipment..................


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alross2

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of alross2   Send Email To alross2 Posted on: Apr 10, 2011 - 10:33am
According to the Gun and Turret Catalog, the shield weighed 250 pounds. It was attached to the cradle with just a few bolts, so was easily removed.

We can close in on the removal date by looking at dated photos. I have one of PT 78 dated 9/23/42 on competion that has a shielded 20mm, A BUAER photo dated 1/26/43 shows her without the shield. The photo of 109 on the STANTON is dated 8/20/42 and she was completed on 7/10/42.

Perhaps Charlie came across a BUSHIPS or BUORD memo on the shield removal while researching his MTBSTC book??


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Will Day

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Apr 10, 2011 - 10:38am
There seems to be a preponderance of photographic evidence that some boats mounted the shield and some didn't. Short of an Officeal Directive, I wonder if it could have been an "on scene" decision in some instances.

Will

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alross2

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of alross2   Send Email To alross2 Posted on: Apr 10, 2011 - 1:05pm
OK, I'll play devil's advocate and maybe stir up a little research project for one or more of our membership I've been through every PT book I have and did not find a single photo of a US PT outside the US that had a shielded 20mm. Show me a photo of a PT in-theatre with a shielded 20mm!!!

Al Ross


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PeterTareBuilder

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Apr 10, 2011 - 5:38pm
Hi there.

At 250 pounds weight and given a stiff breeze or wind, I wonder if those shields made it a lot harder to train or maneuver the 20mm?

Just an idea as to why the shields might have been removed so soon by the crews.

Cheers from Peter

"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!"

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Drew Cook

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Drew Cook  Posted on: Apr 10, 2011 - 7:13pm
Dr. Ross,

Frank D. Johnson's book "United States PT-Boats Of World War II In Action" has a photo on page 99 of a number of 80' Elcos nosed into the shore at Tulagi, two of which can be seen with shields on their stern 20mms.

I think Gene Kirkland's PT KING website, in its New Guinea section, has a photo of some 80' Elcos up the Morobe River, one of which still has its 20mm shield.

These are the only examples I can think of right now.

P.S. Frank, the stern 20mm on the movie boat in "PT 109" didn't have a shield on it...

-- Drew


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alross2

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of alross2   Send Email To alross2 Posted on: Apr 10, 2011 - 7:40pm
Two points for Drew on the Johnson photo Not sure about the one on Gene's site. If you mean the third boat from the left, I've enlarged it and there's something about the shape that just doesnt look right. Do you have a higher resolution copy of that photo, Gene?

Al Ross


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David Waples

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of David Waples  Posted on: Apr 10, 2011 - 8:49pm
I take your point Al. When you zoom in on it, it does not look like a shield. It alsmost has the look of fabric or canvas.
Dave

David Waples

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