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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: Chart room
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On my Italeri boat I want to open up the bridge to show some of the chartroom through the passageway. Looking at the photos of PT 617, are these pretty true for an operational boat. The show the ladders as brightwork (beautiful too) against a red background (was it red?) and they show most of the interior hatches white with black semicircles behind the latches or dogs. I can't find an interior view of bridge hatch (would it have the black areas) They would really stand out on the model with the hatch open. Does anyone have any idea?

Kurt

Posted By: Kurt | Posted on: May 10, 2007 - 5:13pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Kurt,

As far as I know, the interiors of the chart houses on 80' Elcos were painted the same (semi-gloss?) white as the interiors of the rest of the boats.

Check out the two classic PT boat movies "They Were Expendable" (1945) and "PT 109" (1963) for views of the inside of an 80' Elco's chart house.

"They Were Expendable" is in black & white, but there are two brief scenes that take place in the chart house (one in which the officers of the squadron are grouped for a briefing, and one in which the old Pharmacist's Mate treats John Wayne's injured hand). Although technically impossible to definitively determine the color of the interior, it "looks" white -- or at least light-colored.

"PT 109" is in color, of course, and there are numerous scenes below deck, including two brief scenes that show the inside of the chart house. One shows Lt. Brantingham checking PT 159's primitive radar scope on the night the 109 was rammed, and a later one shows Lt. Cluster using the radio during a patrol. The interior of the chart house is white, with red ladder rails on either side of the door to the cockpit. The interiors in the below-decks scenes, which were filmed on studio sets constructed from original Elco plans, are all white.

The movies might not be the best sources, but are pretty good indicators. I'm sure someone who knows for sure will give you a definitive answer.

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: May 11, 2007 - 6:36am
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am

so most likely no black aroung the latch areas? This would be really obvious. I have a copy of "They were expendible", thanks, now I have a reason to watch it again.

Posted By: Kurt | Posted on: May 11, 2007 - 7:03am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Kurt,

There may have been black-painted areas around the latches or knobs on the insides of the hatches and doors to prevent soiling. I don't know if this was standard or not.

Al Ross, or someone else with his caliber of knowledge will know more than I.

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: May 11, 2007 - 7:13am
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am