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Topic: PT Boat Races |
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CJ Willis
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 30, 2014 - 10:17am
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When patrolling out of Green Island and coming back from all night patrol of New Britain and New Ireland - It was well over 100 miles to and from these patrol areas so all the boats would be low on fuel with less weight and could run faster for the race. If the seas were calm, When we sighted land at Green all boats in the section would get in a line then open up and race to the entrance of the lagoon. Our crew would all lay down on the bow because the boat would plane out better with more weight forward. Our chief motor mac, Chas. McIntosh, had a secret which our crew kept. He would remove the air mesh covers from the super chargers which would give more air to the carburetors which would give a couple more inches of manifold pressure and thus more speed. We seldom lost a race to another Higgins boat But Elcos were a little faster than the Higgins especially the 77 footers. They were the fastest.
C. J. Willis |
Total Posts: 464 | Joined:
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Drew Cook
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 30, 2014 - 6:53pm
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Great info, CJ, thanks!
You know all us PT buffs love to hear these kinds of sea stories from you veterans...
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Will Day
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 31, 2014 - 6:33am
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Good stuff!
Will |
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined:
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Frank Andruss
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 31, 2014 - 11:22am
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Thanks CJ, I know we all love hearing your stories while you were on the boats.
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 31, 2014 - 3:29pm
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C.J.
It is always great to read your eyewitness accounts. We on the messageboard are so very fortunate, that You(242), Earl(108), Pat(154), Jack(103, 65, 319), and John(107), all of you on your first boats were all in the same area at the same time,
It is just too bad I can't find the $$ means to make the Last 77' ELCO, PT 48, that fast once again.
Take care,
TED
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Total Posts: 3059 | Joined:
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David Waples
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Aug 31, 2014 - 3:50pm
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Thanks for sharing CJ. It's always fun to hear the lighter side of what you all went through on these wonderful boats.
Dave
David Waples |
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined:
Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm | IP
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rickas |
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Aug 31, 2014 - 6:18pm
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My father-in-law frequently told the same story. One of his non-war war stories. I'm happy to have it backed up. Also verifies something that I suspect we all have always known: GI's can and will make the best of any situation . We adapt and overcome.
Rick Schaefer
Splinter PT 63
TM2c John E Mirus
Solomon Islands
Dec 43 - Jan 45 |
Total Posts: 82 | Joined:
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rickas
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Aug 31, 2014 - 6:25pm
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Ted This is Rick Schaefer. In CJ Willis post on drag racing PT boats, you mentioned 4 or 5 PT boaters who are still with us. Can you tell me who John (PT 107) is? My father-in-law was on PT63 the day it and the 107 burned. Just wondering if John was there at that time. Thank you.
Rick Schaefer
Splinter PT 63
TM2c John E Mirus
Solomon Islands
Dec 43 - Jan 45 |
Total Posts: 82 | Joined:
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