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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: Signal Flags on PT's
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Almost finished with my revell model of the 109. I was thinking of adding some signal flags to the rigging on the mast. I have the Navy signal flags downloaded so I can make my own decals. Any suggestions on what to fly?

"Fair winds and following seas to my shipmates"

Posted By: Batmex1 | Posted on: Jul 21, 2009 - 8:34pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Remember that the boats as a rule did not fly signal flags once out in the war zone. I have a picture I will post soon showing flags on the mast of PT-103, but she was recently lauched at Elco. I guess it depends on what you are trying to depict..................

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 22, 2009 - 4:13am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

On PT 302, we did not even have signal flags issued. This was true for the whole squadron, RON 22.

However, we were trained to read signal flags. Our semophore flags were "Option."

Arthur Frongello QM 3c PT 302 Ron 22

Posted By: Arthur Frongello | Posted on: Jul 22, 2009 - 7:04am
Total Posts: 33 | Joined: Nov 7, 2006 - 4:49am

Thanks for the replies. I am displaying the 109 in a patrol status so I will nix the signal flags. Thanks again for the information!!!!

"Fair winds and following seas to my shipmates"

Posted By: Batmex1 | Posted on: Jul 22, 2009 - 7:49am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Here is a shot of Elco's first 80 Foot PT Boat. Notice the Flags on the mast. I do not know what colors they were however. Top of Mast has the Elco Pennant Flag Flying, white border with Blue Lettering. . . . . .

Frank

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/FrankAndruss/PT-103-SIGNALFLAGS.jpg[/image]

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 22, 2009 - 8:21am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

The Flags are, from top to bottom, "J", "G", and "J". The one on the Starboard side looks like it could be an "A".

Don't know what it means.

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Jul 22, 2009 - 12:03pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm

Batmex1,

The earliest known photo of the 109 in the forward area (at Tulagi on December 1, 1942, with survivors of the sunken U.S.S. Northampton on board) show her without her A-frame mast.

In fact, NO known photo of PT 109 in the forward area shows the large, A-frame mast up on the boat, so...

It's doubtful the 109 had any flags flying while "on patrol" other than the U.S. 48-star flag, from the stern flagstaff.

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Jul 22, 2009 - 1:52pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am

The boats did not have a flag bag for signal flags. Also, the boats did not have a mast tall enough to use signal flags, We probably should have had "baker" to fly when taking on fuel, but I do not remember seeing one. My boat did not have one. The fuel barge may have displayed one. Regarding the three flags on the 103, I don't remember any meaning to that display. Could they be only for decoration?

On a slightly different point, does any one have a good picture of the boat delivering Mac to Leyte? That would have been on opportunity to fly a five star flag. We once transported a three or four star general but he did not bring a flag for us to fly.

Posted By: QM | Posted on: Jul 22, 2009 - 2:08pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Hey Charlie I know what the JGJ flags stand for. They mean "Jerry Gilmartin Jr." Pretty cool that they took that picture to honor me before I was even born! Hah hah! Jerry

PS Here is a picture of the PT 490 "Little Butch" giving General Mac a ride between Samar and Negros Islands, in the Phillipines in 1944. One of our founding members of "Save the PT Boat" (PT 658) QMC Al McCready is at the helm. I think you can see the 5 star flag on the mast also.
Jerry Gilmartin

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT490wMac.jpg[/image]

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jul 22, 2009 - 8:58pm
Total Posts: 1472 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

Jerry, Ha Ha. I checked my sources and you are right it does stand for your name. Now you must become an Elco Man through and through................

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 23, 2009 - 6:33am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

The three flags on PT 103 appear to be a small version of the regular signal flags. They also appear to be mounted an a frame to present a better display. I have not been able to find any meaning to the signal.

The flag on PT 490 shows the lower four stars of a five star general in the correct position. I can not make out the fifth star which would be on the top center of the flag.

Is there a two star flag below the five star flag? It could be a command flag of a rear admiral.

Posted By: QM | Posted on: Jul 23, 2009 - 2:04pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Thanks again for the great info and photos! I am tweaking the final touches on the 109 (weathering, etc). I just got a revell 117 kit in the mail today, so I will be busy this weekend....apart from the "honey-do" list.

Thanks for the replies!!

"Fair winds and following seas to my shipmates"

Posted By: Batmex1 | Posted on: Jul 23, 2009 - 2:10pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered