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Topic: PT BOAT WHEEL |
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jul 28, 2008 - 3:53pm
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So many times in the past I have been sent items that were supposedly on PT BOATS. Many folks really don't know what they have, but lay claim that it came off a PT BOAT.
EBAY item number 140253256815 is another one of those items claiming to have come off a PT BOAT. This time it is a PT BOAT WHEEL. Ok guys give this one a look and tell me what you think. I can pretty much rule out this being a wheel from the helm of an ELCO, so take a peek and get back to us...............
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PeterTareBuilder
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jul 28, 2008 - 6:05pm
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Hi Frank.
I just looked and there is a note stating that a man emailed the seller stating the wheel looks like it came from a Higgins boat. There is a picture there now of a Higgins cockpit and the wheel in the auction does look very similar to the one in the Higgins boat image.
Cheers from PeterTareBuilder
"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!" |
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newsnerd99
New Member
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Posted on: Jul 29, 2008 - 12:57am
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That Higgins photo is (I'm pretty sure) the 78' Higgins at Battleship Cove (PT Museum) - you can see the exposed roof. Don Shannon will tell you it is NOT a PT Boat wheel, just the closest he could find at the time (BTW - he is looking for a real wheel if you have a lead on one...)
EDIT - yeah, I found my pics. Here's the same wheel...which Don says is not a WWII PT Boat wheel:
I can't say with 100% certainty, but don't PT Boat wheels have one of the arms turned in so it can be used as a crank, allowing the man at the helm to effect a quick turn?
It's possible that the wheel came a small 1940's USN craft...and someone just called it a PT Boat, because, afterall - isn't that every small boat that went faster than 20 knots?
Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jul 29, 2008 - 3:50am
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Where's my buddy Jerry Gilmartin when I need him. I spoke with Don about that wheel, and you are right, it is not a real Higgins Wheel. As I stated many folks claim they have something from a PT BOAT, but it turns out not to be. I know that the Elco Wheel had an inward turned high speed turn handle, and I think the HIGGINS had one as well ( not 100% sure ).
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Dick
Moderator
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Posted on: Jul 29, 2008 - 1:36pm
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Found this in image in a book:
Higinns PT-631 Wheel.
Dick . . . .
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Gary Szot
MASTER
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Posted on: Jul 29, 2008 - 3:22pm
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Here is a good shot of a Higgins wheel on PT 307
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newsnerd99
New Member
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Posted on: Jul 29, 2008 - 4:59pm
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They look similar in size, construction and the mounting bracket, but the PT's had the crank. I wonder if the navy has a standard wheel that Elco and Higgins then adapted to fit the PT need?
Here's a photo Steve Nugent passed along - its the wheel Ron 15's Fred Rosen came home with, possibly from the 207? It hung over his fireplace:
(thanks Steve!)
Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net
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Nuge210 |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jul 30, 2008 - 2:27pm
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Hi Guys,
As I look at the photos again, I wondered how the men in the Med come home with items like the wheel, a bell or whatever, if they were all turned over to the British ? I'm curious, seems like they would have liked a ship in one piece.
I can see how many items must have come back from the Pacific, as they stripped the boats before they were destroyed.
Steve Nugent |
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