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 Author  Topic: What is this?
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: May 22, 2011 - 6:36am
I stand by my statement, that the larger opening in the bottom of the turret, was for passing ammo. Although when at base, pasing ammo over the top of the turret was evident, when at Sea or at GQ, the gunner could easily grab ammo boxes for the guns. You would not need an opening that size just to get rid of spent shells. Check out the movie, Devil boats. You will see ammo being passed into one of those openings through the botom opening of one of the Elco Boats. Maybe I am wrong..........


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Bob

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Bob  Posted on: May 22, 2011 - 8:14am
Frank, I'm sure you are right about the large access hole. The question is what was the small round hole directly above it for?

Bob

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Jeff D

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jeff D   Send Email To Jeff D Posted on: May 22, 2011 - 9:18am
Assuming one of the purposes of the large hole was for loading ammo cans, another possibility for the small hole would be to reach an arm in to help load in the ammo cans. They were about 80 pounds loaded, and only a few inches shorter than the opening. The large access hole on later boats seems to be taller to maybe eliminate the need for the small hole. I admit my guess sounds like it would be awkward though.

That is some nice work Bob, I look forward to seeing her progress. Thanks for posting the images.



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CJ Willis

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of CJ Willis  Posted on: May 22, 2011 - 9:28am
Frank you may be right for Elco boats where the turrets were staggered away from the cockpit. I never rode one. But for Higgins 242 I was port turret gunner and at GQ I can tell you that Mr. McLane, the skipper, would not have moved away from the wheel to get out of the way for me to load a can of ammo through that hole.

C. J. Willis

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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: May 22, 2011 - 10:00am
Just a guess here CJ, and who would know better then you, because you were there. I just can't see any other reason for cutting such a large opening and smaller openings into the HIGGINS GUN TUBS. Another reason could be for repairs to the lower end of the turret. It would be much easier for carpenters to inact repairs to the lower parts of the gun tub from below then trying to reach from the top. Smaller holes could be vent holes for moving air, again all guesses here, because I have nothing that documents why they were there........... I will check my RTU BOOK


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Bob

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Bob  Posted on: May 22, 2011 - 10:28am
If you look at the following closeup higgins class 265 drawing, you can see that the steps are at the very bottom and very top of the large access hole. The access hole measures 15 3/8" by 22". The round hole in question is above the top step. Just guessing, but it looks to be about 2" above the step and maybe 3" in diameter.





Now the next drawing shows the MK17 mount in an Elco. But look how close the shell bag is to the top step. You should be able to touch the shell bag thru the small hole if the bag was lined up with it. So it might be possible that it had something to do with the bag.



By the way guys, thanks for all the input. These little details are what makes this project really fun. Actually the detective work is just as fun too.

CJ, Thanks for your service. Did you have this small round cutout on your boat?

Bob

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Bob

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Bob  Posted on: May 22, 2011 - 10:32am
By the way, the Higgins drawing shows a #1 pointing directly at where the hole in question is, but it is only identifying that #1 was the tub itself.

Bob

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Gary Paulsen

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Gary Paulsen   Send Email To Gary Paulsen Posted on: May 22, 2011 - 12:44pm
Might be off the wall here, but looks like a good place to aim a CO2 extinguisher if things get too hot in the spent shell container.
GARY


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Bob

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Bob  Posted on: May 22, 2011 - 5:07pm
CO2 is a great idea, but the end of the horn is much bigger than the hole.

Bob

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