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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: Elco 77 field mods...
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For the Elco 77 footers-- what specific field modifications are known for armament?

> I've seen the roll-off torps on PT-45, and of course the gun boat conversions of PT-59 & 61;

> And I've seen some boats carrying a reduced depth charge load when they started out with 8;

> But I don't recall seeing anything specific for other 77 boats, such as adding the 37mm Mk4 to the foredeck, or perhaps a 40mm aft.



TIA, Pat M


Patrick Matthews
Matthews Model Marine
http://matthewsmodelmarine.wordpress.com/

Posted By: Patrick Matthews | Posted on: Jul 26, 2015 - 8:10am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



Pat;
PT 48 in her final combat configuration(1944 Bau Island photo) had a 37mm M9 on the forecastle, roll off racks with MK 13 torpedoes and SO-A Radar. The 20mm remained on the stern.
I read(Page 167 U.S. Small Combatants by Norman Friedman) that at Rendova(Bau Island) in March 1944, PT 47 conducted rocket tests with 4.5 inch spin stabilized rockets. Two racks (carrying 12 rockets each) were mounted port and starboard around frame 20.

T66_launcher.jpg

It mentions these rockets were used by USMC Beach Jumpers, so I am guessing they took one of these a T66 rocket launchers and cut it in half and rigged up mounts and mounted them on PT 47.


I believe this modification to PT 47 was the same time frame as Ken Prescott mentioned to me. He said he and PT 48 were on "Special Detached Duty" from RON 3(2) and worked exclusively with USMC Beach Jumper Unit 1(Commanded by LTCOL Wallace Nelson, USMC). for training in preparation for invasion of Choiseul Island, which never happened. During this time PT 48 had its torpedo tubes removed and "bicycle" mounts(This is what Ken called them, I think he was talking about the early high tripod mounts) were put down both sides with single .50 cals on them. 4-5 Port and Starboard.

PT66undeway.jpg

PT 66 Underway (Note high tripod mounts forward)
Also large loudspeakers were mounted on the bow for taped invasion noises. they were also given a string of lights and balloons to simulate planes at night and a bunch of other deception gear.

Take care,
TED
P.S. By the way PT 60 was also converted to a Gunboat. This was Lennie Thom and "Nice" Al Webb's boat. Frank has a photo of Thom docking the boat at Lambu Lambu Cove (on page 58) in his book PT Boats Behind The Scenes.



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jul 26, 2015 - 2:23pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Hi Pat,

Elco 77'er PT-63 was fitted with 4 Mk-13 Aerial torpedoes, 37 mm on the bow. A 20mm aft of the 37 on port side in a short version of the Mk-10 mount. This craft was also fitted with SO radar located in front of the twin 50 Mk-17 mounts. A stern 20mm also was fitted to a standard Mk-10 mount.

Other than the gunboats no other 77'ers to my knowledge had a stern 40mm.



Wayne Traxel

Posted By: Wayne Traxel | Posted on: Jul 30, 2015 - 1:12pm
Total Posts: 248 | Joined: Oct 11, 2006 - 5:40am



Thanks guys. The reason I ask: I've been asked to look at a "what if" model, a 77 with a 40mm mount aft, but with a pair of tubes.

Hardest part will be what number to put on it!



Posted By: Pat Matthews | Posted on: Aug 5, 2015 - 7:23am
Total Posts: 89 | Joined: Jan 7, 2012 - 5:41pm



Pat;
PT 66 went the farthest during the war, finally being burned at Samar in 1945. It was the last 77' Elco to be reclassified as a Small Boat, 23 February 1945.
While I can't confirm PT 66 did this, several 77' boats had 37mm mounted forward. So since you are looking at a "what if" boat, this is my suggestion.
Take care,
TED
P.S. PT 62, 63(fire 18 June 1944) and PT 65 of RON 5, lasted for quite awhile too. both 62 and 65 were struck from the Naval Register 20 January 1945 because of obsolescence.



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Aug 5, 2015 - 8:18am
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am