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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: 77 Foot Helm area
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Looking for photos for Stan for the inside of the helm area for PT-61. What we need is the location for the torpedo firing buttons. I have a nice shot for a PTC, showing the firing buttons on the port side of the cabin, but not sure if this was the same set up for PT-61.



Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: May 22, 2015 - 6:11pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am



Frank;
There were also "steps" in each rear corner of the cockpit. firing position was the same as 70' Elcos. There is a photo of Caldwell at helm of 70' or 77' Elco in NYC harbor showing most of the "conn" suggest you use this as I did for my PT 48.
Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: May 22, 2015 - 7:40pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Ted, I can't find that photo in my files of 9 million photos, God I need to do a better job of getting them together in order............



Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: May 23, 2015 - 4:18pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am



Frank:
Just put them in files like I did, such as 70 ELCO. It takes a while to sort them, but its worth it.
Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: May 23, 2015 - 6:46pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Hi Ted,
Can you post said photo? I was just curious to see it, I cant remember what it looks like.
Thanks Jerry

Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: May 24, 2015 - 9:26am
Total Posts: 1469 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm



Yes, please someone that has any inside helm photos of the 77 footers please post a photo. I need to know where the firing buttons were located for the torpedoes.



Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: May 24, 2015 - 2:31pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am



Hi Frank, I don't have Teds photo but in Victor Chuns "American PT Boats in WW11 Vol.1" on page 137 there is a fairly large close up of the cockpit of an early 77' boat. The buttons smack in the centre maybe the ones you are looking for

However someone may have a drawing that would position and identify everything in the cockpit a little better.

Yours,

D.buck

Posted By: David Buck | Posted on: May 24, 2015 - 5:50pm
Total Posts: 332 | Joined: May 4, 2008 - 2:59am



Thanks Dave, I do not have Vol. 1. I am amazed no one here has a photo of the placement of the Torpedo buttons on a 77 footer, if you built one where did you place your's. Al Ross, I sent you a photo of the helm area of a PTC 7 days ago to ask your thoughts, and you never got back to me.



Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: May 25, 2015 - 6:08pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am



OK Frank try this one, on page 173 of the Topic Index Page you have the thread that has the colour photos of the 61 boat from Wayne Traxel, the top photo has a view into the cockpit looking at about half the port side around to about half the forward bulkhead, this to say the least is a little dark however if you look very closely at the port side you will see a set of buttons on a rectangular plate,
the plate that is fitted to the early series boats does not appear to be fitted, this would be visible on the support between the hatch and the cut out in front of the helm, I'll try to p/m the photo to you of the early series boat.

If you look a little further down the photos the one with the gent with the radio helmet on would be of interest to you as well.

Now maybe if someone like Dick could work a little magic and maybe lighten those photos a little maybe a little more detail may come to light, how about it Dick would it be possible?

Frank Hope it helps a little,

P.s. Ted may be right!

Yours,

D.buck

Posted By: David Buck | Posted on: May 25, 2015 - 11:39pm
Total Posts: 332 | Joined: May 4, 2008 - 2:59am



From Victor Chun’s American PT Boats of World War II (Volume 1). Photo caption includes: Commander William C. Specht (left) from the bridge of a Elco 77’ PT boat

 photo V-Chun-APT-pg137.jpg



For Reference only - From Gene Kirkland’s PT King site. PTC-1


 photo 77-01.jpg


It was not possible to lighten up the Ken Prescott photos that would provide any further details.

Dick . . . .




Posted By: Dick | Posted on: May 26, 2015 - 9:30am
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm



Thanks so much Dick, Stan will be pleased to get them.



Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: May 26, 2015 - 10:17am
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am



Dick;
Oops, I thought it was Caldwell, but it was Spect, yes that is the photo I was talking about.
Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: May 26, 2015 - 12:49pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



That's fantastic Dick, thanks for posting those.

Shows how minimal the 77' cockpit was when compared to the 80' Boat.

Will be looking forward to some photos Frank!

D.buck

Posted By: David Buck | Posted on: May 26, 2015 - 1:16pm
Total Posts: 332 | Joined: May 4, 2008 - 2:59am



I will be happy to post them as I get them.........



Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: May 26, 2015 - 2:00pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am



Specht is in a 70' boat. Note the rounded edge of the cockpit roof to aft bulkhead joint and compare it to the photo of the PTC below, The cockpit roof to aft bulkhead joint on a first series 77' boat had a sharp edge, while that on the second series boats was more sweeping and didn't have the window.

Al Ross.



Posted By: alross2 | Posted on: May 27, 2015 - 4:14am
Total Posts: 993 | Joined: Oct 30, 2006 - 8:19pm



Al'
That ladder on the rear bulkhead of the PTC was not used on the later boats either, correct? They used two scalloped steps at each corner, unfortunately I have only seen these in the damaged Ken Prescott overhead photo. The ELCO blueprint image that I have seen referencing this is a "head on" drawing, meaning it is drawn as if you were looking aft from the forward cockpit bulkhead. Do you have anything showing this?
Take care,
TED




Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: May 27, 2015 - 6:07am
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



So then where was the placement of the Firing buttons on the 77 Footer, if the photos are of the 70 foot boat, can you then tell me AL where the panel was located?



Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: May 27, 2015 - 6:54am
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am



Frank;
These are the closest photos I can find. Under the throttles.

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT%2045%201944.jpg[/image]
PT 45 Noumea 1944

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT%2048%20cockpit%20port%20side%20view.jpg[/image]
PT 48 Bau Island Rendova 1944

Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: May 28, 2015 - 2:10pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Thanks Ted, good shots..............



Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: May 29, 2015 - 12:49am
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am