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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
MK 50 Rocket Launcher
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=3771
How did the electric charge needed to fire the rockets link from the boat to the launcher? Did the wire run up from below decks through the mount or were the wires external?
I cannot find images showing that online. Any help appreciated.
JG
Posted By: JBG327 | Posted on: Feb 7, 2015 - 8:29pm
Total Posts: 74 | Joined: Sep 29, 2012 - 2:40pm
JB
Yes the power cable ran through the deck. Here you go:
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/MK50rocketlauncherROSKNavymuesum.jpg[/image]
This MK50 was originally on one of the PT Boats we Transferred/gave to South Korea Navy 24 January 1952 at Sasebo, (PT 613, 616,619 620). This photo was originally sent to Al I believe, if it is in the same location today, it is at an out door museum:
National Maritime Museum 45 Haeyang-ro 301beon-gil, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, South Korea .
JohnDrain's site
http://www.pt-boat.com/rocket/rocket.html
Tracey's site:
http://www.researcheratlarge.com/Ord/RocketLauncherMk49/
P.S. as you can see this is a temporary installation on two different Higgins 78' PT's, for testing. The location looks like Florida, in the first few photos, Figure 1 - 4 the MK 50 is mounted forward in normal location. Fig 5 - 8 the MK 50 is mounted in the location normally used by the forward torpedo launcher.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Feb 8, 2015 - 6:57am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Hi JG this is JG,
Here is a schematic diagram for the 78ft Higgins Rocket Launcher Circuit 9PA. It shows the cable traveling from the control panel on the bridge to a connection box below decks, then to a deck penetration in the immediate vicinity of the terminal box mounted on the launcher itself (and seen in Teds posted photo) I think I remember seeing the deck penetration was via a kickpipe about 6 inches tall. So yes the wire does travel below decks up to just below the launcher. Otherwise it would be a trip hazard.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658%202014/HigginsRocketWiringDiagramCKT9PA2985-117.jpg[/image]
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR
Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Feb 8, 2015 - 4:52pm
Total Posts: 1472 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm
Thank you both!
Jeff
Posted By: JBG327 | Posted on: Feb 8, 2015 - 6:04pm
Total Posts: 74 | Joined: Sep 29, 2012 - 2:40pm