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Topic: RON 9 BOATS |
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Pat Rogers
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Feb 9, 2010 - 1:23pm
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Quote:
Hi Frank-
Great choice of boats to model! From the research I conducted on RON 9 boats I did about a decade ago I discovered that the boats in the squadron (PTs 153-162) all converted their forward turrets to the Mark 12 20mm mount by the time they were stationed in the Solomons. From the color film footage I have seen from mid-1943, the boats were painted a solid green. PTs 153 and 155 carried the early SCR-517 aircraft radar set. I can sketch several of the boats (PTs 155 and 157) if you'd like and email them to you.
Hope this helps,
ALEX
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I was a member of PT154, RON9, from Dec 1942 until June 1944. When the first half of RON9 left the Brooklyn Navy Yard and NYC, they all had 50 cal guns in the forward turret. This was in Dec. 1942. After passing through the Panama Canal, Tobago island and New Noumea, we wound up in Tulagi.
WE did patrols from the Russell Islands which was more of a training exercise for the first month or so and then took part in the invasion of the New Georgia group. I liked to call it Munda but everyone else called it Rendova. Yes, I was there when the PT109 incident occurred. Harold Marney had been transferred to PT109 from RON9 a short time before.
It was while PT154 was in the Russell Islands that we had a SO radar installed on our boat. I don't know the manufacturer. I was such a naive and ignorant city boy that when the boat went out for a trial test of the radar, I didn't even know how to turn it on. The civilian technician who installed it was mortified because he hadn't gone along on the trial test.
Around August or Sept 1943, PT154 returned to Tulagi for retrofitting and that is when the 20MM was installed in the forward turret. AS I recall, we also had a 37mm "Tankbuster" installed in the forward part of the boat. There is a group picture of the PT154 crew floating around on this site that I think shows this 37mm. It was in Oct 1943 that we headed for Treasury Island and Bougainville with our newly installed armament.
I am 87 years old and my memory is still very good.
Pat Rogers, Radioman, PT154, RON9
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Alex Johnson
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Feb 9, 2010 - 1:49pm
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Thanks so much for setting us straight on PT 154, Mr. Rogers. Hope you are well!
ALEX
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TED WALTHER
TOP BOSS
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 Posted on: Feb 9, 2010 - 1:49pm
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Frank;
I believe Alex is correct, about the 20mm on the MK12 scarf ring mounts. If you look at the White Plains photo in At Close Quarters,(however, the SCR-517 boats in this photo are PT 155 and PT 152, ...not PT 153, she has a regular mast, 153 was lost on 4 July 1943, RON 9 had only been out in the Solomons about only a month. The date of the photo is December 1942, New York.), you can see some of the boats have canvass covered 20mm others have canvass covered .50's in both tubs, you can sort of tell just by looking at how the canvass lays on the weapons. I always thought that all the boats received issued 20mm stateside as part of their war load out, and just mounted them later on, after leaving Panama, since they were not there that long. It is mentioned in Al Ross' book on page 220, that in an unidentified photo, which he believed at the time was 155, that the boat carried it's 20mm in the aft turret. I still think the best bet for early photos of PT 155 will be PTHQ, since this was originally Micheal Pessolano and Boats Newberry's boat.
Take care,
TED
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Nathaniel Smith
MASTER
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Posted on: Feb 9, 2010 - 2:25pm
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This is the famous picture of Ron 9 about to leave NYC for Panama in December 1942. I have placed a red circle over PT-155. PT-154 is just in front of her (also on the starboard side of the White Plains). Pat Rogers remembers being on the starboard side in the main cluster of cradled boats. Two boats were placed in front of the forecastle.
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 10, 2010 - 5:20pm
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Thanks to all of you guys for the help. Looks like the build will consist of PT-154 & 155, along with the BLACK CAT PLANE from VP-54. Hope to have all the materials in before I head to Stan's house on Sunday, so we can lay this out. Should be a fun build..........................
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Drew Cook
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 10, 2010 - 7:45pm
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Hey Alex,
Where did you see color film footage from mid-1943 of green Ron 9 boats, and do you know if it's currently available?
I had a quick shot of about 10 seconds or so of a green PT underway on a History Channel doc I taped some years ago...always thought it was the 149, but wasn't sure...I played the footage over & over so often the tape glitches badly at that spot now.
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SteveS156
New Member
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Posted on: Feb 11, 2010 - 6:27am
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Excellent 1/72 20mm on MK 10 mounts are available from John Haynes Fine Ship Models:
https://www.johnrhaynes.com/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=697
They are pricy but well worth it.
White Ensign Models has some excellent 1/72 .50 cal machine guns. Unfortunately, they are on single mounts. You will have to scratch bile the dual mounts.
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Alex Johnson
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Feb 11, 2010 - 7:27am
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Drew-
The RON 9 footage I have on a VHS tape was shot at Rendova around June 1943. I'll try to make some video stills for you. Stay tuned.
ALEX
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TED WALTHER
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 11, 2010 - 12:27pm
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Drew;
The footage is on one of the VHS tapes sold by PTHQ, I have it too and watched it for the first time in years about a month ago. It was shot at Lumbari, and as Alex said in June 1943.
Take care,
TED
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Feb 11, 2010 - 1:02pm
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Steve,
Thanks, I am going to order the 20mm Cannons from John in a day or two. Appreciate the help...........
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