Author |
Topic: Gun Bloomer |
|
Allan
MASTER
|
Posted on: May 30, 2011 - 8:31am
|
To All:
Members of the board may think this has nothing to do with PT Boats, but I'll change your mind later.
Can anyone tell me what the leather shrouds were called that covered the elevation slots in the gun mounts on the battleships? I have heard them referred to as "gun bloomers" but I would like to know how accurate that might be. They were made of a very heavy leather stock,
At least one was found floating in the Bismarck Sea following that battle, by PT 114 of Division 17. The shipmates hauled it aboard and went to work making gunbelts and cross-draw holsters for their .45-cal. pistols but first had to shave down the thickness to render the leather usable.
I could e-mail a picture of my father's rig (PT 113) to Charlie if he is willing to post it for us.
Allan
|
Total Posts: 161 | Joined:
Sep 18, 2007 - 7:07pm | IP
Logged
|
|
alross2
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: May 30, 2011 - 9:14am
|
They're variously called blast bags, bloomers, or bucklers. Their purpose is to exclude blast overpressures and weather from entering the turret through the openings for the barrels.
Al Ross
|
Total Posts: 993 | Joined:
Oct 30, 2006 - 8:19pm | IP
Logged
|
|
|
Nuge210 |
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: May 30, 2011 - 5:32pm
|
As an aside, what kind of fabric ( or whatever ) covered the business end of the torpedo
tubes ? I assume a precaution for weather ? Was it also for the occasional flash that could be a dead give away of position ?
Happy Memorial Day to all.
Steve |
Total Posts: 323 | Joined:
Jun 4, 2008 - 7:50am | IP
Logged
|
|
Allan
MASTER
|
Posted on: May 30, 2011 - 6:48pm
|
Al:
Thanks for your confirmation re: bloomers.
Allan
|
Total Posts: 161 | Joined:
Sep 18, 2007 - 7:07pm | IP
Logged
|
|
|