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 Author  Topic: English Channel PT Boat color question
David Waples

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of David Waples  Posted on: Oct 10, 2013 - 5:56am
Greetings all,
We were fortunate enough to get copies of Mr. Frank's photo collection (PT-505). We know that his boat was Measure 13 at the time it was struck by a mine. But he has a photo of the boat painted a different color with what appears to be the original color in the turret. The boat appears to be painted this color all over. We've seen it in other photos as well. Does anyone have any idea what color or measure this boat is painted in?


 photo scan0032-Version2_zps22c01646.jpg

These boats are painted the same way. Note the original Measure 13 colors here and there all over these boats.

English Channel PT Boats photo 06-07-2009-09-24-01-250_edited-1.jpg

David Waples

Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm | IP Logged

Michael Vorrasi

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Michael Vorrasi  Posted on: Oct 10, 2013 - 8:08am
Hi David, while B&W photos are always a gamble, if we assume that the lighter color in the front turret is a remnant of Measure 13 Haze Gray 5-H, I would conclude these boats are in Measure 21, Navy Blue 5-N overall. It's too dark for Ocean Gray 5-O. I have several color photos of PT's in Navy Blue and that is about how dark they look. Another key to look at is the decks. They would have been Deck Blue 20-B in all three of the possible solid color measures (13, 14 or 21) , but the vertical shade matches the deck, so 5-N would be the only thing that is roughly the same reflectance. Both 5-O and 5-H would show lighter than the decks, just as the 5-H ammo lockers on the right hand 518 boat do. We can safely rule out greens on ETO boats.

BTW, look beyond these three close boats to the far row with bows facing the photographer. The boat off 503's port bow looks like she is partway through being repainted either to or from Haze Gray 5-H Measure 13 into Navy Blue 5-N Measure 21. Can't say for sure if they are going from lighter to darker or vice versa, but a color change is clearly in progress. For that, we would need the dates of these photos along with known later or earlier photos of these same boats.

Mike

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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: Oct 10, 2013 - 11:45am
Thanks Mike. I also received an email from Al Ross. Looks like everyone is on the same page that this is probably 5-N. Would love to see some color photos if you wouldn't mind sharing with us.

The reason I was interested in this is that I'm doing some photo books for the Fitzsimon's VA Retirement Home where Mr. Frank of PT-505 is a resident. This all spurred from my diorama which has come to be know as The Rescue of PT-505. I wanted to make sure I had the right color listed.

Thanks everyone
Dave


David Waples

Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm | IP Logged

Michael Vorrasi

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Michael Vorrasi  Posted on: Oct 13, 2013 - 10:42am
Hi David,
Here are a few shots of Measure 21 boats. Some Higgins and an Elco 80. The blue is about the same shade as fresh enlisted men's dungarees.










Mike

Total Posts: 72 | Joined: Jul 1, 2013 - 11:46am | IP Logged


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