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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: COLORS OF PITH HELMETS USED BY PT BOAT CREWS
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=1693

Hello everyone-

I have received a few 1/35th scale pith helmets from Peter Tare the Builder to use on the PT 374 diorama project that I am currently working on. Pete has also sent me a WC-51 that is nearing completion with 9 figures on the model.

Frank Andruss has informed me that he would like some of the figures to have diffenent types of head gear, and I'm all for that.

I need to know exactly what colors were the pith helmets used by the crews on PT's in the South Pacific. I have a lot of black and white shots of the crews wearing pith helmets but nothing in color. Can you guys help me out here? Thanks for your input on this one!

Frank Ryczek, Jr.
Modeler/Friend RON-10 PT-169 " ZEBRA SNAFU " Base Tulagi

HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!

YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY!

Posted By: FRANK | Posted on: Mar 4, 2010 - 3:58pm
Total Posts: 349 | Joined: Oct 7, 2007 - 2:09pm

Frank, tried to find some variety. Hope this helps.

[url]http://www.historylink101.com/ww2_navy/org/bases/MarshallIslands/images/1696.jpg[/url]

[url]http://www.historylink101.com/ww2_navy/org/misc2/Seabees/images/13307.jpg[/url]

Gary

Posted By: Gary Paulsen | Posted on: Mar 4, 2010 - 5:39pm
Total Posts: 249 | Joined: Feb 14, 2009 - 6:31am

Hello Gary-

Great shots! Thanks for sharing these with me and everyone else on the board. I love these color shots!

Frank Ryczek, Jr.

HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!

YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY!

Posted By: FRANK | Posted on: Mar 5, 2010 - 8:14am
Total Posts: 349 | Joined: Oct 7, 2007 - 2:09pm

Frank
These are great shots for you, as I have always seen USN pith helmets colored tan. the only difference being, some officers had a officers insignia on the front. Have you seen the photo of ADM Kincaid on PT in Philippines?
Sometimes this was left silver and gold, other times it was painted black. either way would be correct.
Go to website for photo:
[url]http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/g300000/g308131c.htm[/url]
Nobody below CPO would have an insignia on this helmet. I really doubt a Chief Petty Officer would even bother to have one in 1941-1945 but he does rate one.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Mar 5, 2010 - 9:38pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Tan Pith Helmets were not the only ones used by members of the USN. I have several in my Exhibit that were donated by PT BOATERS, and both of them are pale green. The ones I have both came from the Pacific, worn by boat crews and have no insignia...............

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Mar 6, 2010 - 12:33am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Hello!

I have attached some images of an original pith helmet from Squadron 9

[image]http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt215/BattleshipCove/accession-218UnitedStatesnavyBol-1.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt215/BattleshipCove/accession-218UnitedStatesnavyBoloha.jpg[/image]

Donald Shannon

Posted By: Donald Shannon | Posted on: Mar 8, 2010 - 7:44am
Total Posts: 47 | Joined: Apr 24, 2009 - 10:07am

Thanks Don, for posting these shots of the pith helmet! The shots are great and will help greatly when I get to painting the figures for the diorama project.

Frank Ryczek, Jr.

HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!

YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY!

Posted By: FRANK | Posted on: Mar 9, 2010 - 3:25pm
Total Posts: 349 | Joined: Oct 7, 2007 - 2:09pm