PT Boat Forum


Moderated by: Dick, Jeff D

The PT Boat Forum ª PT Boats of WWII ª  PT Boats - General

Page: 1 of 1

« Back to Topic Index Page 26 | Replies: 5

 Author  Topic: PT-61 - gunboat paint
Lew Zee

Advanced Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Lew Zee   Send Email To Lew Zee Posted on: Nov 1, 2016 - 3:23pm
Do any of you have evidence or thoughts on what color the 59, 60, & 61 (primarily the later) gunboats had the 40mm Bofors, and the BMG's painted?

I'm sure that at least some of the BMGs (stand and shield) were painted to the gunboat's color bunt am unsure that a field paint job was applied to the barrel and receiver.

As for the 40mm Bofors, if the whole gun was basically an Army gun modified to sit on the riser on the deck, was the whole gun repainted?

Hope someone has a good answer. Thanks, Lew

Lew Zee

Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm | IP Logged

29navy

TOP BOSS
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of 29navy  Posted on: Nov 3, 2016 - 4:03pm
While I am not a gun expert, I do not think you would paint the .50 BMGs.

Charlie

Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm | IP Logged

  TED WALTHER

TOP BOSS
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TED WALTHER   Send Email To TED WALTHER Posted on: Nov 3, 2016 - 4:26pm
Charlie;
I am sure Lew meant the .50 shields and the pedistal mounts and base plates.
Take care,
TED


Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am | IP Logged

29navy

TOP BOSS
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of 29navy  Posted on: Nov 4, 2016 - 2:20pm
Concur on the shields and pedestals, which he says, but he mentioned field pain to the barrel and receiver is what I was responding to.

Charlie

Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm | IP Logged

  TED WALTHER

TOP BOSS
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TED WALTHER   Send Email To TED WALTHER Posted on: Nov 6, 2016 - 7:50am
Understood Charlie.

Lew;
the barrels of the machine guns were/are gunmetal (Testors model master color).
In real life they would not be painted. The paint would be burned off within a few rounds.
Take care,
TED


Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am | IP Logged

Jeff D

Moderator
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jeff D   Send Email To Jeff D Posted on: Nov 7, 2016 - 3:55am
The .50's were almost entirely Parkerized on the outside surfaces, a porous coating that held oil. Here's a good excerpt about the color of Parkerizing from http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/General/DisplayPDF.aspx?f=Inst-482+Parkerizing.pdf:

PARKERIZING COLORS
An Historical Perspective by Scott A. Duff


If you want to start an argument among collectors of U.S. Military Small Arms ask: “What color Parkerizing is original?” This seemingly simple question will provoke endless discussion, and provide a wider variety of answers than one could assume possible. Research conducted in the preparation of several M1 rifle related books has provided the opportunity to examine thousands of Garands, including hundreds of rifles in original configuration. Observations indicate the color of the Parkerized finish varied with the conditions under which the Parkerizing was applied, the era of the rifle’s manufacture and the condition and length of time they were stored. Specific factors affecting the color resulting from the Parkerizing process include the type of phosphate used, the temperature and duration of the process, the saturating oil bath, and the preservative coating’s reaction on the compounds contained in the Parkerizing. In addition, the method and chemicals used in heat treating and the specified hardness of the individual component also affected the finish color. For instance, a softer metal has a darker finish than a harder one. Descriptions of variations in color and shade are subjective, and the same finish may be described differently by two different people. With that in mind, original finishes have been observed which are: charcoal black, gloss black, black with a noticeable green tint, dark olive green, a light, almost translucent gray, and translucent gray with a green cast. The earliest original rifles examined are in the collection at Springfield Armory National Historic Site. These rifles, serial numbers 81, 87, 79115, 100,000, 1 million, 2 million and 3 million, are in “as-new” condition. They were deemed of historical significance, and generally transferred directly from the factory to the museum shortly after manufacture. They all are of charcoal black color. Early production Winchester M1’s are of the same color. None of these rifles have been coated with Cosmoline or saturated with oil. It is interesting to note that M14 rifles were not subject to Cosmoline coating and are the same color as these early Garands. Other M1 rifles manufactured during this era which have seen service, have been observed to be of gloss black or dark green finish. It is believed that the gloss black is primarily a result of repeated cleaning with solvent and oil-soaked rags which gave an almost polished effect to the finish. The frequently encountered, dark green Parkerized finish is believed to be primarily a result of the compounds present in the Parkerized finish chemically reacting to the Cosmoline used for corrosion prevention during long term storage. Observations of original Garands manufactured by Springfield and Winchester indicate a change in the finish color from black to a translucent gray during the late summer of 1944. The Parkerizing process used to finish M1’s of post World War II manufacture appears to have returned to the charcoal black finish. If the rifle has been stored in Cosmoline, a green tint may be noted, So, what color Parkerizing is original? Most “as new” Garands are charcoal black. Original finishes of gloss black, black with a noticeable green tint, dark olive green, a light, almost translucent gray, and translucent gray with a green cast have been observed. The variables mentioned above and more than fifty years of use and storage make it impossible to give a specific answer. However, one thing is certain; the argument among collectors and aficionados will continue.



Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am | IP Logged


Lock Topic

 

Forum Legend

New Member

Reply to topic

More than 25 posts | Full Member

Reply to topic with quoted message

More than 50 posts | Advanced Member

Edit Message

More than 150 posts | MASTER

View profile

More than 300 posts | TOP BOSS

Email member