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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: PT-108 Helm armor
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Once again I am having Stan do a project with PT-108 as the subject matter. This time, Earl Richmond's boat will be helping wounded Marine's transfer to a waiting LCVP. We will be doing this using PT-109's Italeri boat, so it will be pretty good size. My question is, in 1943-44 was the protective armor around the helm in place or removed. I tried to contact Earl but no luck yet, any ideas or comments would be great...............I could not find any evidence in my photos.



Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: Jan 17, 2014 - 8:39pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am



Hi Frank,

Dick Keresey mentions on page 52, of his PT 105 book, that all Squadron 5 boats had the armor removed as an attempt to correct the inability of the ELCO boats to plane. This was done as part of an experiment to correct the problem once they reached Panama. Even though that (weight) was not the problem, the armor was never later re-installed.

Andy



Posted By: Andy Small | Posted on: Jan 17, 2014 - 8:58pm
Total Posts: 259 | Joined: Nov 20, 2013 - 9:04pm



Andy, thanks very much, all I need is to hear from Earl on this issue, but with Dick's passage in his book, that is pretty concrete evidence.



Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: Jan 18, 2014 - 7:24am
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am



Frank;
Here is all I have for PT 108 in the war zone.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT108RON5111943LTJGGENEFONCANNONCOEmpressAugustaBay.jpg[/image]

PT 108 RON 5 NOV 1943, LTjg Gene Foncannon and crew Empress Augusta Bay.

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT-108crewEmpressAugustaBayBougainville11-43.jpg[/image]

PT 108 RON 5 LTjg Gene Foncannon's Crew, Empress Augusta Bay NOV 1943

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT171167108ALONGSIDEACONIOUS1945.jpg[/image]

PT 171, PT 167, PT 108, alongside USS Pontus (AGP 20). 9 June 1945.

Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jan 18, 2014 - 9:01am
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Thanks Ted, I have these photos, which do not tell me much, although Earl contacted me this afternoon to clarify that the armor was removed when he came onboard.





Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: Jan 18, 2014 - 3:12pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am



Wasn't109 in RON5? If so how do we explain the "armor" in the Kennedy cockpit photos?

JG



Posted By: JBG327 | Posted on: Jan 21, 2014 - 5:26pm
Total Posts: 74 | Joined: Sep 29, 2012 - 2:40pm



When I exchanged information with Mr. Keresey he confirmed to me that they had removed the armor as explained earlier. I don't have concrete evidence but I think the 109 took a different path than the other boats which may explain why she retained her armor. Or maybe they never took it off. Or maybe they just put it back on. Not sure we'll ever know the exact reason why.
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Jan 21, 2014 - 7:40pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm



David;
PT 109 (ENS. Bryant Larson CO) along with PT 110_PT 114, was transferred to RON 2 on 22 Sept 1942, almost as soon as they reached Panama. According to Gene's website and his extensive history of the Guadalcanal Squadrons, The second section of RON 2 was PT 43 (Ens. James J. Cross), PT 59 (Ens. David M. Levy) PT 109 (Bryant Larson) and PT 110 (Lt. Charles E. Tilden). The first division's boats were hoisted aboard Liberty ship SS Robin Wently The two cargo ships departed for the Solomons on October 14, therefore, PT 109, and the other boats, did not have the armor removed like RON 5 boats, since it was mentioned Dick Keresy stated this was removed, with the idea the boat would get on plane faster, this was probably as a result of RON 5's training sojourn from Toboga Island to the Galapagos Islands in November 1942.
Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jan 22, 2014 - 9:17am
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



That explains why images of PT 114 with the jap prisoners aboard show armor fitted. Nice Ted, thanks.




Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jan 22, 2014 - 4:05pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am



Jeff;
Do you have that photo?? If it is an early photo of PT 114 Carlton Byrd is on the boat! Post it please!
Thanks,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jan 22, 2014 - 4:48pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



You got mail Ted.




Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jan 22, 2014 - 6:22pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am