The PT Boat Forum
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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?cid=101&fct=showf

ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: Cheap Full Size 80 foot Elco PT Boat available from 1944
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=2172

This was built by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.

Hello everybody. I was at the Washington Navy Yard Historic Photographic section today and I ran across these pictures. I was stunned. I wonder if there are any left. I wonder if these were actually used in England next to General Pattons inflatable tanks? If you look in the background you can see several more uninflated objects. I wonder how many more they had? Jerry PT658 Portland OR

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Jerry%20Gilmartin/InflatableDCraftPTstbdside.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Jerry%20Gilmartin/InflatableDcraftbow.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Jerry%20Gilmartin/InflatableDcraftPTstern.jpg[/image]

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Apr 28, 2011 - 8:28pm
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

Now all we need is Will's Blow up Doll and we're ready to go. Amazing what they were thinking when this was made. Sure would turn some heads at the beach......................

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Apr 28, 2011 - 9:10pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

That is really cool Jerry, great find! I had seen an inflatable tank before but never expected to see a PT boat. I wonder what the effective distance was. Thanks for sharing this.

Here's an example of a blowup tank and a more wind resistant Japanese cobbed in the field fake on Iwo Jima:

[image]http://www.pt103.com/images/asst/FakeBritishTank.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.pt103.com/images/asst/FakeJapaneseTankIwoJima900.jpg[/image]

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Apr 29, 2011 - 3:23am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Jerry;
AWESOME!! I also wonder if this was ever used and where it was used in England.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Apr 29, 2011 - 5:28am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Frankie: I'd send you the blowup doll, but you'd just put one of your wigs on it and ruin the effect......

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Apr 29, 2011 - 7:38am
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

LMAO WILL. If I wait for the doll as long as I have waited for the PT BOAT, she will be an outdated model. I hope you have the one that doesn't talk..........

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Apr 29, 2011 - 9:12am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Hi Jerry,
I never saw an inflated PT boat in my life. Can you email me an image,
the one showing the bow of the boat in 350 dpi 5 x 7 size. Thanks.
victorkchun@aol.com
Victor

Victor K Chun

Posted By: victorkchun | Posted on: May 1, 2011 - 6:29pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Hey Frank, is it possible those (or that) blowup rubber PTs are under the roof rafters of the Elco plant?

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: May 1, 2011 - 6:32pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am

Drew, this is a very good question. In looking at the three photos that Jerry posted, at first glance it sure does look like BLD. 21. In one shot it seems like the rubber boat is sitting on the upper mezzanine lever of the building. I will do some digging and get back to you on this one.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: May 1, 2011 - 7:18pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am