The PT Boat Forum
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi
» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?cid=101&fct=showf
» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?fct=gotoforum&cid=101&fid=102
» Topic:
Elco steering
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=186
Can anyone tell me what sort of steering mechanism was used on the earlier (or perhaps all of) the Elco 80' PTs, starting with the PT103 class? I have crawled all over and inside the restored Elco at Battleship Cove but did not pick up on the details of the steering mechanism. What I'm trying to find out is if the wheel at the helm station controled the three rudders with a cable system, cable and chain, chain, or hydraulic system. The information is for a book I am currently writing that takes place on an 80' Elco in 1943. I will check this board but feel free to contact me directly at cmfaure@earthlink.net . Thanks much.
C. Marin Faure
Sammamish, Washington
Posted By: C Marin Faure | Posted on: Dec 20, 2006 - 11:45pm
Total Posts: 27 | Joined: Dec 20, 2006 - 11:43pm
Hi C., I found a drawing in the book Allied Coastal Forces. It looks like the steering went from the wheel at bulkhead 33 down to a gear box under the bridge deck via chain. From the gear box it made a right angle to the port via a shaft to another gear box almost to the sheer of the deck. Then it hit another gear box and went back, making an angle once to follow the decks edge, via shafts, bearing blocks, and universals to the stern side of bulkhead 61. A rear view shows it towards the port about right between the 2 outboard port muffler exits. At this point it is still just under the deck. A chain went from this point straight down along bulkhead 61 to a gear box about halfway to the chine. It then made about a 45 degree turn inwards and down via a shaft to the steerings gemmer gear located behind frame 61. The gemmer gear's output shaft was to the port about in line with the port rudder and a foot or two above the hull bottom. An arm on the gemmer gear and control rod turned the port rudder which was connected to the other two.
Well no wonder it's so confusing!
Regards,
Jeff
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Dec 27, 2006 - 10:36am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am