|
|
Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
|
  
 Posted on: Nov 19, 2011 - 9:06pm
|
Nice Job Alex. I noticed that is seems the forward .50 mount, is not the mount at all. That over-sized box might just have been placed there. If you look close, the barrel appears to be away from the box and not going through it. Anyone care to take a stab at this. It also looks to be a single mount, although in looking at two models of the boat, they are twin. Maybe these old eyes are seeing something else...............
|
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined:
Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am | IP
Logged
|
|
Will Day
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 19, 2011 - 11:03pm
|
Alex's enlargement sure makes me want to think it is the 66 boat.
Frank: I agree that is not the mount for the bow fifty. Could it be a duct of some kind? Is there a hatch in that location on the 77 footers?
Will |
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined:
Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm | IP
Logged
|
|
 |
Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 20, 2011 - 12:02am
|
Hi Frank and Will,
In comparing the box placement to the photo taken from above posted by Alex on page 1, it looks like that triangle shaped "box" is made of canvas on a wood frame and is placed directly over the forward hatch in the deck. See the forward end of the life raft in both photos? I think it is a homemade air scoop (or Vent Duct per Will) for sucking air into the crews quarters while they are in port. We made something similar to help cool off the below decks on PT658 last August. Also I agree the extra large conical flash hider on the machine gun sure looks like a single gun mount! If it was a twin mount where is the other flash hider? I think they may have gotten their idea from the PT143 which was right next to them on the transport in the other photo. See the single 50 cal mount on the PT143 bow? Great job at zooming in on that photo! By the way Will, the number looks like PT66 to me as well. Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin |
Total Posts: 1472 | Joined:
Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Wayne Traxel
MASTER
|
Posted on: Nov 20, 2011 - 12:08am
|
Date on Alex's photo is November 5, 1943, PT-68 was destroyed to prevent capture, October 1, 1943. 
Wayne Traxel |
Total Posts: 248 | Joined:
Oct 11, 2006 - 5:40am | IP
Logged
|
|
29navy
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 20, 2011 - 12:35am
|
I was at Fall River this weekend and Don showed me a photo of PT-66 which matches the configuration of two depth charges (on each side) as shown in the photo under discussion. It is a rather large photo so don't know if he can scan it or if we can find a smaller version of it to post.
But it looks like we've pretty much narrowed it down to being the 66.
Charlie |
Total Posts: 600 | Joined:
Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 20, 2011 - 4:10am
|
It sure looks like PT-66 to me, now that Alex has blown up the photo. Will and Jerry, I think you are correct in regards to that hood scoop, as it is in the same location as the forward hatch, and certainly would aid in bringing in more air into the crews quarters. Charlie, if there is a way to copy that photo in full, I would be glad to pay for the copy and shipping. It would be a nice tool for the build. The only thing we would need, is the type of mount used for this single .50 on the bow. I wonder if at one point she carried a dual mount .50, as this is depicted in Dick's line drawing on Page 18 and 19 of his illustrations book.
Also, I notice just forward of the chart house is a tubular stand. Is this for a machine gun? It is partially blocked by the gathering of crew on the bow. Was the forward chart house windows covered with canvas to keep the light from escaping, as it looks to be hanging there or removed while tied up.
|
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined:
Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am | IP
Logged
|
|
Jeff D
Moderator
|
Posted on: Nov 20, 2011 - 6:05am
|
Looks to me like maybe a .30 pointing up on the tubular stand Frank.
I don't know about the date being proof Wayne, it says release date not taken date?
Great pictures, thanks for sharing them with us.
|
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined:
Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am | IP
Logged
|
|
Wayne Traxel
MASTER
|
Posted on: Nov 20, 2011 - 6:38am
|
That's true, thought about that after making the post.
|
Total Posts: 248 | Joined:
Oct 11, 2006 - 5:40am | IP
Logged
|
|
Alex Johnson
Advanced Member
|
Posted on: Nov 20, 2011 - 7:42am
|
Wayne Traxel also reminded me of this photo of PT 66 underway which gives a good view of the armament. Also note that the canvas window covering configuration is slightly different as well from the Morobe River shot. Unfortunately, the backlighting of the photo does not provide us any clue as to color(s) or camouflage pattern.
ALEX
|
Total Posts: 70 | Joined:
Mar 2, 2007 - 12:07pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Will Day
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 20, 2011 - 9:25am
|
Great shot, Alex. Should be a great help with the build.
Will |
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined:
Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm | IP
Logged
|
|
|
