Author |
Topic: Help needed in identifying deck fitting-PT195 |
|
Daniele Klay
Advanced Member
|
Posted on: Nov 26, 2016 - 8:38am
|
Hi all, can anybody tell what this is?
; margin-right: 1em;">
Looks like a tarp covering something mounted on a conical post on the sarboard deck edge,just behind the foot rail.
Could it be a gun or something?
Suggestions/opinions welcome and appreciated.
Greetings
Daniele Kläy |
Total Posts: 126 | Joined:
Jun 23, 2015 - 12:43pm | IP
Logged
|
|
|
Daniele Klay
Advanced Member
|
Posted on: Nov 26, 2016 - 12:31pm
|
Ted,that makes a lot of sense and would be a veeeeery nice addition to my project,the twin.50s seem to be on a field rigged mount instead of the standard mk17 if I see it right....
What makes me wonder is,assuming the mistery object is a twin.50, why should they be covered while all other guns are manned and apparently ready for action in the PT195 picture.
Daniele Kläy |
Total Posts: 126 | Joined:
Jun 23, 2015 - 12:43pm | IP
Logged
|
|
|
TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 27, 2016 - 8:03am
|
Daniele:
Simple, it is covered because it is not in use.This mount, is mainly for close in work,(shorelines, barges, etc.). So it is covered to minimuize exposure to salt spray. The other weapons are dual purpose mounts, anti aircraft to and from target, then shore bombardment/anti ship, when at target.
Also the "threat" appears to be off the portside of the boat, as most of the crew is looking that way, the boat off the portside is moving slower, to get out of 195 field of fire, suggesting to me that the OTC is on 195, and will lead the gun run. notice what appears to be a Island, 2-3 miles off portside beyond port boat. This appears to be the target or threat. whether its real or practice I don't know.
Take care,
TED
|
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined:
Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am | IP
Logged
|
|
Will Day
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 27, 2016 - 1:19pm
|
Don't think it's a gun run, those turret 20mms don't look manned.
Will |
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined:
Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Will Day
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 27, 2016 - 1:22pm
|
Looks like the quad .50s are trained to port though...
Will |
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined:
Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm | IP
Logged
|
|
|
Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 27, 2016 - 3:33pm
|
Hold on there folks!
Danieles assumption "while all other guns are manned and apparently ready for action in the PT195 picture" I think is in error. These guys in the photo are most certainly NOT at General Quarters Battle Stations! Just look at them! Seriously? Half of them are just leaning on the warhead of the forward starboard torpedo, half of them are not wearing even a helmet, and several have no life jacket or pants or shirts on. This was fine if you were just in transit for a "photo shoot" but if they were really manning the weapons for action they would all be dressed out with AT LEAST a helmet and life jacket and not just lounging around on the deck. Yes it was lax aboard most Pacific War PT Boats, but not that lax. Many skippers required the crew have a pair of pants and a shirt on to protect their skin from flash burns.
Of course they could remove all the extra clothing when they were not expecting action, but I am 99% sure that if this boat was about to enter a battle, they would not be in this relaxed of a state of readiness as is shown in the photo. These guys are likely on their way back home after a mission and are not pointing their guns at anything in particular.
Ted, what say you?
PT150 40mm gun crew
PT143 manning guns on bow
Crew loading 37mm cannon
PT204 20mm gun crew
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined:
Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Daniele Klay
Advanced Member
|
Posted on: Nov 27, 2016 - 9:27pm
|
Hi Jerry, thanks for contributing, your statement is surely right, on the other hand all the guys on the foredeck are wearing helmets and life jackets-except for the gaggle of crewmembers around the forward starboard torpedo-so a practice gun run looks plausible as an option-to me at least-. That still leaves the mistery object unknown
Daniele Kläy |
Total Posts: 126 | Joined:
Jun 23, 2015 - 12:43pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Will Day
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 28, 2016 - 1:36pm
|
They look like shrouded twin .50s to me.....
Will |
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined:
Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm | IP
Logged
|
|
|
TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 28, 2016 - 6:22pm
|
Jerry;
You are correct this is not a real GQ situation, I hope I didn't insinuate that. It is more than likely "Training, which could be held during transit or returning from a mission. this was at the discretion of the Skipper. They could be having training here on weapons familiarization, which includes, training of the weapon, nomenclature,(fire rates, effective and maximum ranges etc.), jam/clear drills, setting/re setting timing(.50's on Maxon)and dry fire drills.
The guy near the aft corner of the dayroom "appears" to have a MK ll sound powered phone helmet, on.He can either be a member of the "black gang" getting some air, or the 40 mm mount talker.
There are several guys on the bow of the other boat, also. leading me to believe that the "Mock/Training Threat" is on that island,
Until proven otherwise, my guess is that is a covered twin .50 on a shorty mount.
Take care,
TED
|
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined:
Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am | IP
Logged
|
|
|