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Topic: Missing Life Raft |
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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 Posted on: Dec 9, 2012 - 11:59am
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Hi David,
You are correct. The "thicker strips" you are referring to I think are actually webbing strap material sewed into a loop that encircles the raft itself. There are 12 of these "strap loops" evenly spaced around the perimeter of the raft. Into these webbing loops are two eyelets through which two small (3/8 inch) lines are threaded. The small lines go around the inside and outside circumference of the raft. The cork "net floats" and coiled up lanyards attach to the outer circumference line, while the collapsing net that holds the floating lattice floor attaches to the inner circumferential line.
Hey Peter, I dont remember any concrete conclusions being made as to whether of not ALL PT Boat Balsa Rafts did or did not have the collapsable net floor. What are you basing this conclusion upon? I have several photos of Higgins boats that did indeed have this type of raft. Do you have some good pictures that demonstrate what you are talking about? I spent a lot of time and effort to make ours as authentic as possible and would like to know if it was all for naught. I was thinking perhaps there were more than one manufacturer of life rafts being used on PT Boats? What do you think? Thanks Jerry
PS I included some pics below showing in 5 of 6 the collapsible net floor type raft. In the PT344 raft, it looks like the net has been removed or shortened.
Al Ross photo of a PT-295 class Higgins bridge showing raft with Collapsable net holding floor
PT302 with closeup of raft, it looks like the collapsable net is there too
PT305 (Jack Hughes photo) showing the same type of raft
PT344 (Bob Hostetter collection) showing the wood lattice floor seemingly modified to be tied directly to the raft without using the webbing straps
PT459 in England with obvious collapsable net type raft up against the side of charthouse
PT625 (Bill Skade collection) on Lake Ponchartrain with the same raft
It was based on these above photos why I chose to make the collapsable net style of liferaft for PT658.
Jerry Gilmartin |
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Dec 9, 2012 - 2:24pm
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With Elco at least, many different manufacturer's were used for many of the different parts that made up the boat. This was needed to insure the boats would be kept on schedule. I am pretty sure Jerry, several Companies were most likely used to produce the rafts for the boats, not just one place. Specs were given out, but I bet some models were a bit different than others, but were passed by Elco and Naval Officials. I can see Higgins doing the same thing, so that a multitude of outside sources would be able to keep up with demand.
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PeterTareBuilder2
MASTER
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Posted on: Dec 9, 2012 - 3:31pm
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Jerry.
My comments about the Elco raft not having the drop down netting were based on my recollection of things I read on this forum some time back. I tried doing a search looking for the thread but there are a lot of posts to go through. I haven't found it yet will look later as time permits.
Cheers
"Give me a fast boat for we want to get out of harm's way too." |
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victorkchun
New Member
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Posted on: Dec 9, 2012 - 4:25pm
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Speaking of raft, have you guy seen Bridge Carney's book PT-157 A SCALE MODEL
BUILDER'S NOTEBOOK (805 498 6162). There is a long article on how to built the
raft. Also the book is worth reading for advanced modelers.
Victor
Victor K Chun |
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Dec 9, 2012 - 8:12pm
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Wow! Too cool AL!
Which brings me to my final question....why didnt we just ask Al in the first place? Thanks again for the enlightenment. Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin |
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David Waples
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Dec 9, 2012 - 8:42pm
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Here's another photo Drew sent to me this evening to post.
PT's 103 and 105 with their rafts on board.
Dave
David Waples |
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PeterTareBuilder2
MASTER
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Posted on: Dec 9, 2012 - 9:19pm
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Quote:
Here's another photo Drew sent to me this evening to post.
PT's 103 and 105 with their rafts on board.
Dave
David Waples
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That's the image I was referring to upthread where I stated that you could gleam the measurements of the raft by measuring it against the boat.
Cheers
"Give me a fast boat for we want to get out of harm's way too." |
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Dec 10, 2012 - 2:51am
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Copper tube eh? I never would have guessed that. Thanks for the links and education Al.
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David Waples
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Dec 10, 2012 - 5:02am
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Some training photos Frank forwarded to be posted.
Dave
This last one is one of the only images I've seen with the deck mounted block to support the raft. Seems like crews in theatre working in the night would not want these little trip hazards lying around. Were they removed by the crews?
David Waples |
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