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Topic: RON 12 IN FIELD TURRET MODS |
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TED WALTHER
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 13, 2014 - 6:00pm
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As I mentioned earlier this week, while looking at RON 12 photos, to try and nail down my mystery photo boat(which I now think might be a RON 7 boat), I noticed that ALL RON 12 boats had the depression rails of the forward turret modified, and some boats had their rear turret modified also, or the depression railing was removed all together. The earliest photos in this group that show this are the photo Wayne sent me of PT 195 at Toboga, Panama early summer 1943 and the photo of PT 187. but I will go by boat number.
PT 146 RON 12 Alongside USS Sitkoh Bay CVE, 1945
PT 150 RON 12 1944-1945
PT 187 RON 12 1943, however, when this boat was transferred to RON 6 the altered depression rails were replaced with factory replacements.
PT 191 inboard and PT 190 outboard Morobe 1944
PT 190 RON 12 1945 PHILIPPINES
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TED WALTHER
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 13, 2014 - 6:14pm
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PT 190 RON 12 1944-1945
PT 191 RON 12 Ormoc Bay Leyte 1945.
PT192 RON12 3January1945 Being Hoisted aboard USS CYRENE(APG13).
PT193 RON12 LT CYRUS TAYLOR USNR, This one does not show the modification, but because its of "Tall Pine" Taylor I had to include it.
PT194 RON12 OCT1944 REFUELING FROM USS WACHAPREAGUE(APG 8).
PT191 RON12 20OCT1944 REFUELING FROM USS WACHAPREAGUE(APG 8).
PT195 RON 12 Toboga Island Panama1943.
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TED WALTHER
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 13, 2014 - 6:32pm
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PT 195 Cont:
PT 195 RON 12 LT. Bill Diver in the cockpit, pierside 1944-1945.
PT 196 RON 12 May 1943. This photo looks as if the modification was not done yet, as the shape of the cover looks like the factory install is under it.
PT 196 RON 12 Alongside a tender 1944-1945. A poor photo, but it appears to had the same depression rail mod forward. It seems that PT 196 kept the "ELCOPUSS" dragon face artwork for the entire war, just painting over the wavy lines. I always thought the crew painted over the whole thing as soon as they got to Morobe. I never new this until seeing this photo for the first time just 3 days ago..
Well you decide, let me know what you think.
Take care,
TED
P.S. Thanks to all who shared these photos.
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Will Day
New Member
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Posted on: May 13, 2014 - 10:39pm
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So what would be the justification for totally removing the depression rails? Do you think they installed limit stops instead?
Anyone?
Will |
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TED WALTHER
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 14, 2014 - 7:39am
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Will;
That would be the logical idea. But were they made/tested by RON 12. Did the earlier Colt mounts on the 77' Elcos have Limit stops?
In the 1943 photo of PT 190 and 191 at Morobe, when enlarged I can see the modified forward turret depression rails and they have also added a third rail on both boats which looks like it is fitted to the side of the cockpit shield to prevent the gunners from shooting into the cockpit. in the photo PT 191 has the turret cover draped over it. Also both boats have their after turret depression railing modified to look like the one in the photo of PT 187. Very interesting.
Take care,
TED
P.S. Also PT 191 seems to have either a 20mm or 37mm(covered up by tarp) on a MK10 mount, while PT 190 has a 40mm.
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Will Day
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Posted on: May 14, 2014 - 4:35pm
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I think it was a question sometimes of what was available and what worked the best...
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