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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
PT 495 question
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I just recently purchased Victor Chung's second edition of PT Boats in WWII. In addition to adding to my PT book collection, I wanted to do some research on an interesting boat to do a 1/20th RC version of an 80 foot Elco.
On the lower right corner of page 71 there is a photo of PT 495 that appears to have an unusual weapon, mounted. to the starboard side of the chart house, on the deck. The weapon appears to be an in theatre conglomeration of two .50 caliber HMG's with a 20mm cannon mounted between the two Browning's. There also appears to be a spare 20mm magazine on the chart house roof.
Does any one have any other pictures of this boat or it's unusual weapon?
Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2
Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Jan 4, 2016 - 1:18pm
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm
It was called an Acey-Ducey. 20 mm with a 50 cal browning strapped on each side. It used the same curved ammo boxes as the twin 50 cal turret guns. I will post some photos later today. Several Ron 33 boats had them, 493, 495 and possibly 490 are among those that did. I have seen photos of another boat, 525, also with an Acey-Ducey.
Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Jan 5, 2016 - 5:23am
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am
[image]http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h450/ducati650/PT495/DSCF0025.jpg[/image]
[image]http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h450/ducati650/PT495/DSCF0036.jpg[/image]
From a model of the 495 I built.
Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Jan 5, 2016 - 5:27am
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am
If you have Frank D. Johnson's book, US PT-Boats of WW II, there is a nice photo on the bottom of page 143 that shows MacArthur on the 525 boat and beside him is an Acey-Ducey. you can see in the photo that they used flat and angles steel straps to build a framework on the 20mm to mount the 50 cals and curved ammo boxes.
Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Jan 5, 2016 - 5:59am
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am
Thanks for the info and photos, I thought the weapon on the 495 was a one off deal by the crew. Up close I imagine that was an awesome weapon, however I remember reading an article regarding a similar system in the tail of B-29's, that stated the different trajectories of the two guns was a problem at long range.
Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2
Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Jan 5, 2016 - 11:09am
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm
And your presentation of the 495 is outstanding, what kit is that based upon or is it a scratch build. My 1/20th will be built upon John Drains excellent laser cut keel and rib kit, three brushless outrunners for power.
I apologize to Victor for misspelling his name, the edit function would not work.
Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2
Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Jan 5, 2016 - 1:15pm
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm
I started with the Italeri 1/35th scale kit and scratch built or made molds and cast the pieces I needed to model the 495 as she was in Oct of '44.
The Acey-Ducy provided a lot of firepower but had the nasty habit of rotating quickly to one side or the other of one of the 50s jammed or ran out of ammo. In some applications, poles were mounted to the deck to limit the available travel in the direction of the rest of the crew.
Somewhere there are more photos of MacArthur seated in a folding chair sitting on the deck beside the same Acey-Dusy on the 525 boat.
Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Jan 5, 2016 - 2:55pm
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am
This photo might show some details in a better light.
[image]http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h450/ducati650/PT495/DSCF0024.jpg[/image]
[image]http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h450/ducati650/PT495/DSCF0012-2.jpg[/image]
This is a RON 33 photo album I compiled while doing my 495 research.
[url]http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/ducati650/library/PT%20Squadron%2033[/url]
Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Jan 5, 2016 - 3:06pm
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am