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Topic: LCI Gunboats |
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Andy Small
MASTER
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Posted on: Feb 9, 2016 - 3:35pm
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While doing some reading through Ron 23 War Diaries I saw many references to night operations with LCI Gunboats, so I went an internet looking and found this interesting video on YouTube showing these very same early model LCIs being converted and painted for gunboat duty in New Caledonia in 1943. Neat little snapshot in time. Found the camouflage paint by numbers part interesting.
LCI Gunboatsl
or cut and paste https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUZaRhgLoXY
I also see there is a book on the LCI Gunboats which I'm probably going to get, and we have the old N scale (1/160) Lindberg model that could be kitbashed into one of these unique vessels. As Jerry has mentioned before, PT 658 has a real LCI 713 next to it out in Portland, OR.
Cheers,
Andy
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David Waples
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 10, 2016 - 4:55am
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A must see is Jerry's walk through of LCI-713 in Portland which has been converted into a museum ship.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m8HyfDa1ZQ
He discusses gunboat conversions in the video. Jerry, do you have plans to put the diesel engines back into the boat?
Here's a photo of an 80' Elco tied up to an LCI. Very similar to the 713 in Portland.
Dave
David Waples |
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 10, 2016 - 11:10am
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Hello Dave and Andy!
Yes we already have obtained engines for the LCI713. They are Detroit Diesel 12V71 engines along with transmissions that we obtained from a former US Navy Torpedo Retriever being scrapped down in Coos Bay OR. The engines have been refurbished and are in dry storage at a local Truck Repair Shop until the time we can install them into the engine room. The ship needs to have new steel clad onto the bottom since the original bottom has developed thin spots and leaks. We need to get the ship into a dry dock or a barge in order to do the bottom replacement. You can go to our website
http://www.amphibiousforces.org or to our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/lci713 to see the latest happenings on the restoration progress.
Thanks for bringing up my second passion besides PT Boats!
Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
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David Waples
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 10, 2016 - 9:26pm
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Jerry,
Great news on the diesels. Thanks for the Facebook page link. I'll make that a favorite for sure. Do you see a camo pattern in this boat's future?
Dave
David Waples |
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ROSS FISHER
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Feb 11, 2016 - 6:40am
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Andy, I've got the LCI Gunboat book, "Mighty Midgets at War The Saga of the LCS(L) Ships from Iwo Jima To Vietnam" if you're interested. (299 pages, copyright 2000) You can contact me at : tresfish@hotmail.com
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Ross Fisher
ross@dupagels.lib.il.us |
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Drew Cook
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 11, 2016 - 1:22pm
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These are the ships with the long sets of steps (as well as a bow ramp/door) on each side that could be lowered along the hull to off-load troops, right?
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 12, 2016 - 12:22pm
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Yes you are correct, for one type of LCI.
There were the Square Conn Side Rampers (LCI 1-LCI 350) developed first, then during the war, they came out with modifications. The next generation was the Round Conn- Side Rampers. (LCI 351-LCI 685 ish) Then the final mod was the Round Conn- Bow Rampers (LCI 685-LCI 1099) that had the clamshell doors and eliminated the side ramps. It seems that they were too exposed coming down the ramps in view of the enemy and the enclosed ramp arrangement was more seaworthy. Also you can look on NAVSOURCE to get more info or the LCI website listed above
I don't know why this stuff is stuck in my head
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
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Drew Cook
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 13, 2016 - 3:30pm
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Thanks, Jerry!
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Andy Small
MASTER
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Posted on: Mar 4, 2016 - 7:10am
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Further info on the LCI(L) to LCI(G) conversion shown in the Youtube film. LCI(L)s 24, 67, 68, 69 were the second group to be converted to gunboats from Nov-Dec 1943. The first group was composed of LCI(L) 21, 22, 23, and 70 and completed in Oct 1943. All were part of Flotilla Five and ended up in Flotilla Five's Group Thirteen. These initial gunboat conversions were done to address the Japanese barges and consisted of 1 x 3/50, 1 x 40mm Single, 4 x 20mm Singles, and 6 x 50 call mounted on tripods (the film shows one being installed).
My model of the late war LCI arrived the other day and it looks like it will be a relatively simple conversion to make this into one of these earlier square con gunboat variants that supported Ron 23.
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Mar 4, 2016 - 1:33pm
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Hi again Andy! A few years back I posted on the Forum some photos about the attack on a group of LCI and PT boats off the coast of New Georgia where PT167 was holed by an airborne Japanese torpedo and at the same time the LCI(G) 70 was also hit with a torpedo that lodged in the engine room without exploding. The crew evacuated onto the deck of PT167 until a group of volunteers went back aboard the LCI(G) 70 to get the ship back to port. An amazing true life incident that is stranger than fiction! You may want to search this board to see those photos. This was a typical mission for the PT Boats to escort the slower gunboats on their NGFS missions.
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
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