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Topic: More on PT 59 |
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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 Posted on: Feb 4, 2016 - 8:45pm
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A big thanks goes to Chip Marshall for digging up these photos of PT 59. I just noticed a photo that Lew put in his history of the first gunboats,
Some years ago, a question arose that PT 59 had two shielded twin .50 cal mounts at or near frame 22 port and starboard. But nobody had proof. At that time the only real photos that were "found" was the PT 59 photo at Lever Harbor and the aerial photos (of PT 46, PT 171 and PT 59) that in some publications is identified as PT 61, Its not. It is PT 59, the photos are taken on Oct 8, 1943 and the photographer was Ken Prescott, in a VD-1 PB4Y-1. PT 60 and PT 61(as per log book work began on 20 Sept 1943 and was completed on 4 Oct 1943. Engine casualties on 8 Oct delated her, so PT 61 went back to Tulagi for repair. On 0835 26 Oct 1943 PT 61got underway with PT 154, 156,159,161, and 162, got underway from Tulagi to Lever Harbor, arriving at 1630.) conversions were completed by USS Argonne(AG-31), which was moored near Searlesville, Russell Islands.
PT 59 can be identified from 60 and 61 by the fact that PT 59 had six shielded single .50 cal mounts on deck, three port and three starboard(total 14 .50 cals and two 40mm). PT 60 and 61 had three shielded twin .50 mounts port and starboard(total 16 ,50 cals and two 40mm).
Well here is the proof....PT 59 Starboard side twin .50 mount forward near frame 22. Notice the single mount in the background.
Thanks!
Take care
TED
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Total Posts: 3018 | Joined:
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Drew Cook
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 5, 2016 - 2:47pm
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Ted,
Am I mistaken, or hasn't T. Garth had some photos of the deck-mounted twin .50's on PT 59 on his website for some time?
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 5, 2016 - 5:59pm
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Drew;
I don't know. Chip sent these to me years ago, but the other night, when I was looking at Lew's history that he asked us to look at, I noticed the single mount in the background, for the first time.
Take care,
TED
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Will Day
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 5, 2016 - 9:58pm
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Yeah, Garth's "PT Boat World" site still has some 59 boat photos. Not sure if they are all the same....
Will |
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