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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: 40 MM ammo rack and engine room hatch
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=3004

I;, hoping someone can post a pic of a 40 MM ammo rack and the engine room hatch on an 80' Elco circa 1944. My Dad's boat was PT-342...Ron 24 if that helps.
Thanks,
Jeff Sherry

Posted By: Jeff Sherry | Posted on: Jan 11, 2013 - 1:54pm
Total Posts: 84 | Joined: Oct 30, 2006 - 8:04pm

Hi Jeff, I am not sure if this is what you are looking for but here you go. I have PT143 (Bill Skades Boat) on the lift showing an angle iron rack that holds 40mm ammo cans. Also I have one of PT364 (Kenny Morris' Boat) that shows a closeup of the wooden rack that holds individual 4 round clips. It looks like a double row on the top but lower down are two single rows of clips. See those wood blocks between the clips? I think they act as spacers for the clip to rest on, thus allowing your hand to reach under each clip in order to grab it. The last photo shows PT171 "Dyna-Might" and Cas Milewski on the 40mm that shows the angle iron racks holding ammo cans. I hope these are what you needed. Jerry

PT143 stern view notice angle iron racks for holding ammo cans
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Jerry%20Gilmartin/BillSkadeRON8PT143drydockedoncradle.jpg[/image]

PT364 shows closeup of wooden rack with 4 round clips [image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Jerry%20Gilmartin/PT364closeupof40mmammorackKennyMorris.jpg[/image]

Another view of PT364 ammo rack (notice damage to aft end of day room canopy from Jap 20mm shell hitting outboard gas tank)

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Jerry%20Gilmartin/00000043.jpg[/image]

PT171 with Cas Milewski on 40mm shows ammo cans in wire racks
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Jerry%20Gilmartin/PT171CasMilewskion40mmindock.jpg[/image]

Jerry Gilmartin
Higgins 78ft PT658 crew Portland OR

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jan 12, 2013 - 9:09pm
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

I'm not sure sure the first image is the 143 boat, the bridge wing and turret cove are from later boats. I suppose they could have been replaced? At any rate great images as usual Jerry, especially the way they show the different racks.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jan 13, 2013 - 5:20am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Hi Jeff,
The photo in question is from Bill Skades personal photo collection. He was the skipper of PT143. He was in RON8 towards the end of the war (in late 1944 and all of 1945) and there were some boats also in RON8 that were higher numbered. So I suppose it is possible he may have taken a photo of somebody elses boat . Anyway the Squadron was being serviced by the LST Type tender there in the Phillipines and were nested alongside. I have a few other photos showing the 143 boat being hauled out from into a floating drydock that may answer the question. I will try to find it and post it for comparison later on. Jerry

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jan 13, 2013 - 8:42am
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

Cool Jerry, thank you. I like the images of the boats being lifted.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jan 13, 2013 - 12:39pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Hi Jeff,
You are correct, these are two different boats! Look below and compare for yourself. I labeled it as "PT143" when I scanned Bill's Photos but it definitely is not PT143! If you look at the PT143 with the numbers clearly visible on the stern in drydock and compare it to the "mystery boat" on the boat lift then it is pretty obvious they are not the same. Sorry for the mixup! Jerry

PT143 marked on stern in Floating Drydock

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Jerry%20Gilmartin/PT143BillSkadeRON8drydockcloseup.jpg[/image]

Mystery boat on boat lift

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Jerry%20Gilmartin/PT143BillSkadeRON8incradlebytenderinBorneo.jpg[/image]

PT143 again in drydock further away from boat

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Jerry%20Gilmartin/PT143BillSkadeRON8drydock.jpg[/image]

PT143 in drydock bow view

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Jerry%20Gilmartin/PT143BillSkadeRON8drydocked.jpg[/image]

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jan 13, 2013 - 1:42pm
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

Nice Jerry, thank you.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jan 13, 2013 - 3:03pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Thanks guys!!!! What great pics! Thanks.

Posted By: Jeff Sherry | Posted on: Jan 13, 2013 - 5:17pm
Total Posts: 84 | Joined: Oct 30, 2006 - 8:04pm

I think we might be looking at two different "mystery boats". I see depth charge racks aft of the sternmost torpedo rack on one boat and not on the other.

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Jan 13, 2013 - 5:36pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

Hi Will,
You may be right! All those Elco boats look alike to me anyway, (they are so mundane) hear that TED? Ha! Jerry

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jan 13, 2013 - 6:50pm
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

Yes Will I concur the two boats do not apear to be the same the thing I found interesting is that Boat in the first picture has had all three props removed prior to being lifted.

You know Will with Jerry its hard for him to tell the differance between Elcos as he's such a Higgins fan

D.buck

Posted By: David Buck | Posted on: Jan 13, 2013 - 6:55pm
Total Posts: 332 | Joined: May 4, 2008 - 2:59am

Darn while I was typing he got in before me.

D.buck

Posted By: David Buck | Posted on: Jan 13, 2013 - 6:59pm
Total Posts: 332 | Joined: May 4, 2008 - 2:59am

Jerry, Jerry, Jerry. . . .See what you have wrought?

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Jan 13, 2013 - 9:19pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

Jeff Sherry:

Please email me at dshannon@battleshipcove.org for info on your Dad's boat.

PT Boat Musuem Battleship Cove

Donald Shannon

Posted By: Donald Shannon | Posted on: Jan 16, 2013 - 1:16pm
Total Posts: 47 | Joined: Apr 24, 2009 - 10:07am