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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: PT Boat Windshield Circles
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. Occasionally I see circles on windshields, estimated to be 12ā€¯ to 16ā€¯ in diameter and appear to protrude from the surface about an inch. Do you know what their purpose was? They do not appear to be windshield wipers. I have seen these devices on both PTs and crash boats. Please see photos near the top of the gallery. The upload images is giving me trouble tonight.

Regards,
Carlos Ruth

Posted By: chruth | Posted on: Jan 8, 2020 - 5:41pm
Total Posts: 2 | Joined: Jan 8, 2020 - 3:42pm

Carlos ,
They are clear view screens. The discs are spun by a motor and disperse water.

Best Regards,
Stu.

Posted By: Stuart Hurley | Posted on: Jan 8, 2020 - 9:55pm
Total Posts: 255 | Joined: Mar 19, 2013 - 3:32am

Thanks Stu, I thought that they had something to do with rain but didn't know how they operated with no visible wiper on the outside.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jan 10, 2020 - 4:20am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

A view of it from the inside of PT 28:

PT 12:

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jan 10, 2020 - 7:48pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Jeff, an interesting shot, riveted skin on the 70 foot boats. Still hoping for a kit of a 77' boat, they were a great looking design.

Best Regards,
Stu.

Posted By: Stuart Hurley | Posted on: Jan 15, 2020 - 1:01pm
Total Posts: 255 | Joined: Mar 19, 2013 - 3:32am

Stu:

We can only keep our fingers crossed for a 77'er... It's not like we haven't asked. lol

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Jan 15, 2020 - 5:24pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

Yes it was Stu, based on a English design by Hubert Scott-Paine. Some of the world's most beautiful land, sea, and air vehicles have come out of your country. I think Italeri would do well with a 77' Elco offering and make a lot of people very happy.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jan 15, 2020 - 5:32pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

I would love a 77 footer also. Still holding my breath for the Italeri 78 foot Higgens. Needless to say, my face is way beyond blue at this point!

Posted By: Stearman | Posted on: Jan 16, 2020 - 8:12pm
Total Posts: 150 | Joined: Nov 1, 2017 - 9:38pm

[:-laughing-:]

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jan 17, 2020 - 7:29am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Noticed only the Elco and Scott Payne boats had the Clear View. This was only on the 70 and 77 footers. Is this right? And yes a model of the 77 footers would be awesome.

Bill P Reese

Posted By: billpr | Posted on: Jan 27, 2020 - 5:03pm
Total Posts: 83 | Joined: Mar 19, 2017 - 4:34pm

They weren't used on the Elco 80' boats, don't know if any of the other manufacturers of USN PT boats ever used them.

Now that I've said that, I fully expect someone to post a photo of one that a crew cobbled onto an Elco 80 footer.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jan 28, 2020 - 4:52am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

There is a reason there were none used on the Elco 80 footer, it had an open cockpit (like a flying bridge), no enclosed pilothouse to operate from. No need to "see through" the windows.

Former crew member of the Big Blue Sightseer ex-PT 486

Posted By: Gerry McGovern | Posted on: Jan 28, 2020 - 7:41am
Total Posts: 78 | Joined: Oct 7, 2016 - 1:47pm

They were even tried on cars in the 30s but did not catch on!

Best Regards,
Stu.

Posted By: Stuart Hurley | Posted on: Jan 29, 2020 - 2:20am
Total Posts: 255 | Joined: Mar 19, 2013 - 3:32am