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Topic: PT-59 Configuration |
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alross2
TOP BOSS
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 Posted on: Mar 13, 2011 - 11:37am
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I would say what you have marked as the shield is the shield. The ready box appears to be the ready box. I orginally thought it might be part of the shield, but it was too far away and the gun was not at the right angle to be such.
Charlie
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I agree with Charlie. The cut-out for the barrels is visible and the basic shield seems to be the same width as the other shields.
Al Ross
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Frank J Andruss Sr
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Posted on: Mar 13, 2011 - 11:42am
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I do have a photo showing at least one twin fifty mount on PT-60, although this does not mean she had them in all positions. This photo can be found in my new book under the Bases section, showing PT-60 making her way out of Lambu Lambu area.........
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29navy
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Posted on: Mar 13, 2011 - 12:13pm
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Yes ... But, Charlie, what is marked as the RSL appears to block a part of the gun.
Could what we are seeing be generated by the angle of the camera?
I'm just asking ... I'm not saying I'm right, I'm not saying he's wrong or that you're wrong ... I'm just asking a legitimate question.
Garth
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I initially thought that the RSL was part of the shield, but with the close-up view, the top of it appears to be below the bottom of the gun. And with the gun facing almost directly to starboard, it would be out of alignment; the gun and shield should turn together. And it looks like a piece of the mount protrudes in front of the RSL.
The part marked as the shield, you can see a small piece of it above the barrels on both sides.
Garth...looks like we'll have to update your model of the 59.
Charlie |
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Frank J Andruss Sr
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Posted on: Mar 13, 2011 - 12:19pm
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You can clearly see the curved handles on the back of the gun, which indicate two Machine Guns. If you follow the weapon to the end, you can clearly see the two flash suppressors as well. There is no doubt, in my mind at least, that we are seeing a twin .50 caliber machine gun set up for this boat. Outside of this, I really love the Sailor on the bow with the Talkers Helmet on.
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Will Day
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Posted on: Mar 13, 2011 - 12:42pm
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I think Charlie is pretty much right-on with this.
Will |
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Jerry Gilmartin |
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Posted on: Mar 13, 2011 - 12:46pm
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I was looking at T Garth's excellent website and found this picture showing the obvious twin 50 cal mount and shield even with frame 22 just as Garth stated in his earlier posts, as well as on his website "PT Boat World" Also, I agree with Franks observation that the two curved handles are a dead giveaway of the use of the Bell Mark 9 twin machine gun cradle. You can clearly see the splinter shield as well in this photo that is identified by Garth as being taken on the PT59. Just my 2cents! Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin |
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TGConnelly
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Posted on: Mar 13, 2011 - 1:17pm
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Charlie, ...
HA!
I don't think so, .............
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, well ... Maybe.
New 40-mms, new .50s ... A RSL ..........
I will think about it .........
The PTGB designation is something I alone call them, because - basically that's what they were, gunboats from PTs, not MGBs from the keel up. So, therefore PTGBs ...
I remember reading that the two other PTGBs had twin 50s and that the 59 just had singles ...
I also that Mr. Ross did have a drawing of the 61 as a PTGB which showed the twin ...
And, the photo in Frank's book supports my statement as well.
Garth
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alross2
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Posted on: Mar 13, 2011 - 2:20pm
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I think we're looking at photos that, if all of PT 59, were taken at a different time, or the NARA photos on Garth's site are not PT 59. If you enlarge the JFK shot, you can clearly see 59 on the cockpit side, so we know that is PT 59. If you compare the JFK shot with the NARA shots, you'll notice that the twin mount forward is lower on the JFK shot than on the NARAs. Note the height and angle of the triangular gussets on the base and the position of the gunner in each. On the JFK shot, the cradle is about chest height on the guy sitting behind it. On the NARA shots, the gunner is standing and the cradle is in the same relative location. Also, note that the turret mounts on the NARA shots have a non-standard three-sided shield on the cradle, while the JFK shot does not have that shield.
This is another of those intriguing mysteries like the earlier thread on the 70' boat with the natural wood deck.
Al Ross
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TGConnelly
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Posted on: Mar 13, 2011 - 2:42pm
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Chip Marshall gave me those photos Mr. Ross ... and from all indications - we BOTH believe that it is the 59.
The two twin 50s forward of the singles - as evidenced in that famous shot of the 59 with Kennedy in the cockpit supports our belief it is the 59.
This is one of the very few instances in my life of late that I am 100% sure of my research and my assertions made based on that research are 100% correct.
That is the 59 in that series of photos and I can say that without fear of contradiction from Mr. Ross.
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