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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
PT-157 Skipper Liebenow to be at book signing
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The Skipper of the PT-157, William 'Bud' Liebenow' (now 93-years old) will be signing copies of the book [b]FIRST-UP: Chronicles of the PT-157[/b] in Mt. Airy, N.C. at a place called Pages Book & Coffee shop this coming Memorial Day. The local newspaper is going to write up an article about their local PT Skipper as well. I've asked the local VFW and American Legion if they wish for Bud and I to present some material about the PTs and the PT-157 that weekend. They are asking their local members about that right now.
This summer is the 70th anniversary of the hot-times in the Solomons as the PTs help roll back the enemy. It is also, of course, 70-years since the 109 was hit by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri and Liebenow, and crew of the 157, rescued Lt. Kennedy & crew a week later.
Mt. Airy is where the Skipper of the PT-157 lives with his wife. It is also the setting on which the old Andy Griffith Show was based. So sounds pretty homey. I am flying in as well to join in the signing festivities as well.
The 157’s torpdeoman, Welford West, is also trying to figure out how he can get himself from Hampton, VA to Mt. Airy. That would make this weekend even more interesting!
I think we're going to have a very interesting and fun Memorial Day in Mt. Airy!
- Bridge
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Apr 4, 2013 - 6:06am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm
That's great News. The last time we spoke in person was back in 1993 at Battleship Cove. I loved talking to him by phone, great guy. Good News for your book...........
Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: Apr 4, 2013 - 6:41am
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am
Frank, would love to see you and chat with you and Bud and maybe Welford! What a great way to spend the Memorial Day weekend. Come on down!
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Apr 4, 2013 - 6:51am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm
BRIDGE,
BETTY LYNN WHO PLAYED BARNEY FIFE'S GIRL FRIEND ON THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW RETIRED TO MT AIRY FROM CALIFORNIA SEVERAL YEARS AGO. SHE OFTEN DOES BOOK AND AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS AT THE ANDY GRIFFITH PLAYHOUSE THERE.
MEETING "THELMA LOU" AND A REAL PT BOAT SKIPPER WOULD BE A BABY BOOMER'S FANTASY WEEKEND.
HAVE A GREAT TIME,
ROSS FISHER
ross@dupagels.lib.il.us
Posted By: ROSS FISHER | Posted on: Apr 4, 2013 - 8:07am
Total Posts: 82 | Joined: Jul 23, 2008 - 10:03am
Why not take some paint chips and just maybe some colors on some of PT Boats could be identified?
Posted By: Bob Butler | Posted on: Apr 4, 2013 - 8:08am
Total Posts: 192 | Joined: Mar 23, 2013 - 11:58am
[b]Bob[/b]: As noted in my other book (PT-157: A Scale Model Builder's Notebook) I asked Welford West (the PT-157's torpedeo man), who said it was very clear to him as to the 157's colors, to go to Home Depot and pick out some paint chips. He chose the following:
From the Martha Stewart Living collection available at Home Depot:
New (freshly painted) paint: MSL094 Dill
Faded (after a few months of sun, heat, humidity): MSL093- Oolong Tea
I would post a photo of the PT-157 model I built however for this important color point, the colors that come out on any particular brand/model of color screen is hard to predict so I suggest going to Home Depot and get the color sample chips to be sure.
[b]Ross[/b]: Betty Lynn lives next to the Liebenows. I'm really looking forward to meeting her myself!
- Bridge
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Apr 4, 2013 - 9:07am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm
Thanks! I would have never gruessed . I just checked the internet and they looked a shade of tan to me, not dark green. Say HEY! to everybody.
Posted By: Bob Butler | Posted on: Apr 4, 2013 - 9:22am
Total Posts: 192 | Joined: Mar 23, 2013 - 11:58am
Bob, dill and oolong tea are definitely greens....which is the problem most of us have trying to color match with our uncalibrated monitors.
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Apr 4, 2013 - 9:33am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm
Thanks I'll look into it.
Posted By: Bob Butler | Posted on: Apr 4, 2013 - 10:10am
Total Posts: 192 | Joined: Mar 23, 2013 - 11:58am
Welford West, the torpedoman of the PT-157 and frequent driver of the boat, will now be joining Skipper Liebenow and myself in Mt. Airy, NC over the Memorial Day weekend!
These are the last two crew members of the PT-157 from the summer of 1943 and of course makes them the last two from the night of the rescue of the PT-109. It's been 70-years since that summer.
This Memorial Day weekend in Mt. Airy is turning into a bit of PT party! If anyone is planning to come and will be there Sunday (ahead of the book signing on Monday) please let me know. Maybe we can have a gathering in town of interested persons.
Bridge
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Apr 20, 2013 - 6:10am
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm
This sounds like an awesome way to spend Memorial Day. Susan and I are going to try and see if we can put a trip together and possibly fit the 623 in the Suburban and haul it back east as well. I'll keep you posted.
Posted By: Roy Forbes | Posted on: Apr 20, 2013 - 5:28pm
Total Posts: 371 | Joined: Sep 5, 2012 - 4:57pm
Another update the PT celebration in Mt. Airy NC on the Memorial Day weekend. On Saturday May 25th, Skipper Liebenow, Torpedoman West and myself will host an evening at the Mt. Airy VFW/American Legion Hall located on the grounds of the Veterans Park.
We'll talk about PTs in the Solomons and some of the missions and stories of the PT-157 during the summer of 1943.
This is a celebration of the 70-years since these two PT guys rode together on the PT-157 in the most critical times and most critical places helping to cut-off and push back the enemy. This get together is very unique and maybe the last for our warriors.
[b]Admission: Free
Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm [/b](provided my flight into Raleigh-Durham arrives on time)
Hope we might see some of you there!
Bridge
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: Apr 25, 2013 - 8:22pm
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm
Thanks for the update, Bridge. Our reservations are made and we're looking forward to what I'm sure will be an interesting and fun time. Looking forward to meeting you as well, and hopefully other fans of the PT Boat Forum.
Pat
Posted By: Pat Hutchens | Posted on: Apr 28, 2013 - 1:01pm
Total Posts: 36 | Joined: Nov 24, 2012 - 6:03am
For anyone coming to Mt. Airy, NC this coming Memorial Day, the Hampton Inn offers reduced room rate of $89.10 + tax per night if you tell them you are guests of "Ridgecrest". Includes their hot breakfast, no cost wireless internet and a few of us PT lovers who are also staying there.
Bridge
Posted By: TheBridge | Posted on: May 4, 2013 - 12:09pm
Total Posts: 318 | Joined: Nov 22, 2009 - 3:04pm