PT Boat Forum


Moderated by: Dick, Jeff D

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

Page: 1 of 1

« Back to Topic Index Page 124 | Replies: 4

 Author  Topic: Elco's with foils
Jonathan Eno

New Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Aug 5, 2011 - 6:52pm
I have recently read in Warship 2011 that the navy, in late 1943 , had built a series of six 80' Elco's with six foils incorporated into the hulls. They were said to reach speeds of 55.95 knots, but were not persued due high fuel and oil consumption.
Does anyone have any info concerning these boats? Numbers, pics, ect?
Jonathan


Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered | IP Logged

Jonathan Eno

New Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Aug 6, 2011 - 4:33am
Please ignore my previous post. I did a board search and found my answer. As usual I'm doing things a bit back-assward!



Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered | IP Logged

Jeff D

Moderator
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jeff D   Send Email To Jeff D Posted on: Aug 6, 2011 - 7:20am
Welcome to the club Jonathan. Everytime I think, I hear a steady beeping sound...

Here's a few more outside references:

The Navy book “An Administrative history of PT’s in World War II” has a good section on the Elcoplane: http://www.gdinc.com/Preliminary_Admin_History_PTBoat.html Dick Washichek, our illustrious webmaster here, was kind enough to publish this electronically for us.

The book At Close Quarters, which can be read here: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/CloseQuarters/PT-2.html, has a section on the Elcoplane:

Elco's contribution was the Elcoplane, a series of six steps fastened to the bottom and sides of a standard Elco boat, PT 487. In trials run on December 16, 1943, in Newark Bay for a Board of Inspection and Survey, the 487 made the amazing speeds of 55.95 knots (nearly 65 land-miles per hour) with light loading, and 53.62 knots at full warload. Even more impressive was the maneuverability at high speed. Running at top speed, the Board reported, threw helm hard over and reversed course. Turning both right and left, the boat turned 180 degrees in about 6 seconds, and completed the turn with sternway on. At all times during the turn, the boat banked inboard. The performance in this maneuver was spectacular.

The Board's report was so enthusiastic that the Bureau of Ships directed the Supervisor of Shipbuilding at Bayonne to expedite procurement of Elcoplane kits to send to squadrons in the operating areas for conversion of their boats. This project died aborning, however, on receipt of a report from the Commander Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 29, four of whose boats. PT's 560 to 563, ran from New York to Miami with Elcoplanes.

These boats demonstrated that the Elcoplanes, ideal for high-speed operation, caused an increase of 25 percent in fuel consumption and 75 percent in lubricating oil consumption at cruising speeds. Also, at cruising speeds, the boats tended to root into heavy seas, steering was more difficult, and acceleration dropped off. The planes on the boats' sides warped and the supporting brackets cracked and loosened. The boats became sensitive to added weights and correct trim was an absolute necessity.



Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am | IP Logged

smallwi

Advanced Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of smallwi  Posted on: Aug 6, 2011 - 1:39pm
Jonathon,

The ELCOPlane is a bit of mystery subject, your question was a good one. I did some research on the subject late last year. With any luck some of this work will show in Victor Chun's book due to be published this fall. The book is available for early ordeer at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The price is right for a prepublication order.



Bill Smallshaw

Total Posts: 130 | Joined: Jun 21, 2007 - 3:02pm | IP Logged

Jonathan Eno

New Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Aug 6, 2011 - 5:20pm
Jeff and Bill,
Thank you for the replies. I've ordered Victor's book and am anxiously awaiting it.
I thought that a foil PT would make an interesting model subject, especially in R/C, which happens to be my bent. I also happen to have a 1/16th Elco hull with fittings waiting to be built. If I can put together enough info I may give it a try.
Thanks again
Jonathan


Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered | IP Logged


Lock Topic

 

Forum Legend

New Member

Reply to topic

More than 25 posts | Full Member

Reply to topic with quoted message

More than 50 posts | Advanced Member

Edit Message

More than 150 posts | MASTER

View profile

More than 300 posts | TOP BOSS

Email member