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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: torpedo tube cap color
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I noticed the color of the torpedo tube caps seem to vary. What is the color leaving the factory?
Can the crew change the color while in combat as they please?

Victor K Chun

Posted By: victorkchun | Posted on: Nov 1, 2014 - 6:47pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



Hi Victor,

I have a color photo from Aug 43 showing the cap the same color (gray) as the rest of the boat. Photo was taken about 1 month after squadron commissioning down in Miami.

- Andy



Posted By: Andy Small | Posted on: Nov 2, 2014 - 6:39am
Total Posts: 259 | Joined: Nov 20, 2013 - 9:04pm



Hi Victor,
Just a thought. The different colors may be the actual warheads. It appears the crews sometimes painted the warheads and other times just left them as their natural bronze color. Also grease applied to protect them could have an effect. Practice shots were yellow I believe.

Mostly I've seen caps on the 77' boats. I've rarely seen them on 80' boats. My question is were the caps even used on boats carrying live warheads? Or were they just installed when the tubes were empty to protect the interiors from corrosion?

Dave



David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Nov 2, 2014 - 5:13pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm



David,

It would appear that there are a fair number of photos that show the 80' boats with there caps on with the tubes in the stowed position, there are also a number of photos with the tubes wound out in the action position, some with caps, some without. While I don't know how long it would take to remove the cap one would think that if you were in the area of operations looking for targets then you would be running without the caps on.

Interesting I have not seen any form of stowage for the caps once removed?

And for a bit of interest watched a show called Fast Attack Craft the other night mostly British and German but had some nice colour video of PT Boats as well.

Ta

D.buck

Posted By: David Buck | Posted on: Nov 2, 2014 - 8:43pm
Total Posts: 332 | Joined: May 4, 2008 - 2:59am



Let's make sure we're talking about the same thing...

Here is what I think of when we talk about a cap. It is a cover with three thumb screws that secure the cap in place. I looked through my collection of photos and can't find these on any 80 foot boats in theatre. For that matter I can't find the 77' with a cover either. Not that they aren't there or haven't been used, I just can't find any.


 photo images_zps8bc54f45.jpeg

In this photo a triangular plate holds the torpedo in the tube. I don't consider this a cover. When ready to fire the top wire is disconnected and it lays on the deck secured by the other two wires. I've often wondered if these plates weren't a result of the incident the 109 had where the torpedo slid out in high seas. You don't see these plates on the 109.

 photo Photo_Scan_PT_149_Starboard_Turret_Torpedo_Cropped2_zpsa9483b41.jpg

It is not uncommon for boats to have canvas covers over their torpedo tubes as shown here. No indication of a half dome cap here either.

PT-107 Panama photo PT-107Panama.jpg

The factory photos of PT-117 do show the caps on and they appear to be painted the same color as the rest of the boat. Not in theatre though.

 photo IMG_0004_zps4bf466c7.jpg

If you guys can find some examples of the caps (dome covers) being used in theatre I would love to see them.

Dave



David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Nov 2, 2014 - 10:03pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm