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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: PT boat related information found in Popular Science magazines
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While browsing the internet a while back, I came across a series of archived Popular Science magazines and choose to view the issues from the 1940s and 50s. The years chosen was clearly intended to see what PT Boat information I could ascertain, if any. Although I did not fine a much with this particular magazine, I did find some interesting material to post just for fun. I had initially hoped to post the subject matter into existing post that might mention the general subject matter or just might slightly fit in one way or another. But sadly because of the Photobucket debacle, it became less than ideal.

For now there are eight separate subjects, with more coming from three other publication for the same time period.

[b][red]Note: All the material is copyrighted by Popular Science, and I hope they donâ€™t mind the posting for the sake of education.[/red][/b]

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This is Popular Science Issue: December 1939 page 132 . . . .
The single page photo briefly describes the Fast Mosquito Boats, the British Vosper.

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This is Popular Science Issue: September 1940 page 93 . . . .
The single page photo briefly writes about the smallest fighting boat in the navy the PT 3.

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This is Popular Science Issue: February 1941 page 88 & 89 . . . .
The two page photo spread briefly dealing with M.T.B. Ron 1 and the early 70-foot boats, Elco and Scott-Paineâ€™s PT 9.

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Page 2 -

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This is Popular Science Issue: April 1941 page 118 & 119 . . . .
The two page photo spread briefly dealing with â€œThe Navyâ€™s Miracle Motorâ€ the Packard 4M-2500.

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Page 2 -

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This is Popular Science Issue: October 1942 page 74 . . . .
The 1/2 page photo briefly describes construction of the Canadian PBCâ€™s MTBs.

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This is Popular Science Issue: February 1944 page 68 . . . .
The 1/2 page with two photos the â€œBattle Dressâ€ of the two boats shown.

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This is Popular Science Issue: August 1945 page 100 & 101 . . . .
The two page comic book style story by Frank Tinsley, of a couple of downed flying leathernecks and PTs.

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This is Popular Science Issue: September 1953 page 120 . . . .
The single page with two photos describes the Flying Saucer and its speedy rides.

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Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Jul 21, 2022 - 11:46am
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

Thanks Dick, I am always amazed at the amount of articles and or photos dealing with the PT BOATS that one can find in several of the WWII publications

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 21, 2022 - 3:36pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Thanks Dick, I learned several new things.

That some tanks were radial engine powered.

That PT's were called the "sandwich navy" because that's what they ate while underway.

That the broom used to signify a successful trial run and completion of a mission was called a witch's broom.

Does anybody know what PT was used as the base of the Flying Saucer? And if it actually did hit 90mph?

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jul 23, 2022 - 7:45am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Thanks for this series of articles, Dick.

From reading histories of armored vehicles, I understand that the use of radial engines was based on what engines were available that would fit the application. Tanks were getting larger and needed more power, thus the use of aircraft radials and twin Cadillac V8 engines in some of them. Rolls Royce produced versions of the Merlin for tanks and, of course, boats.

I rode on the Flying Saucer with Dad in the 60s and it was most certainly not 90 mph. Whatever the speed, it was exciting. I've since seen several newspaper articles and promotional material that make the 90-mph claim. Showing the articles to Dad, he said there was no way for it to hit that speed even with fresh engines. I forget when the Saucer was retired but during our later annual vacations in Ocean City it looked slower and wasn't as loud during its twice a day run along the shore. Dad said it was running on only two engines or possibly one. The cost of fuel and worn out engines! The wake of the boat always caused large waves at the beach, so we grab our inflatable rafts when we heard it coming and rushed to ride the big waves from "the PT boat". We never used its name. The other fun activity was when we'd go to Hogate's restaurant, usually once during the vacation trip. It was on the harbor right next to Chris' Seafood Restaurant and was a little more formal. If we had to wait for a table, Dad and I would walk to Chris' restaurant and look at the Saucer. That's possibly the only time I didn't mind being on a wait list. Great memories.

Randy McConnell (Randall J. McConnell III)

Posted By: PRJM3 | Posted on: Jul 28, 2022 - 5:52am
Total Posts: 95 | Joined: May 25, 2009 - 2:47pm

Thanks for the history lessons Randy. It sounds like you had some fun times on your Ocean City vacations!

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jul 28, 2022 - 7:34am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

I have more coming, but not from PS or PM, I just about fished out what ever I could find from 1939 to 1946 and a couple of 50â€™s issues. I do have another publication in process.. It involves articles and ads. Probably more in the ad department.

I will include pre-war ads from the PT boat manufactures just to illustrate the run from a civil world to a war-torn world. I has very surprised how the war-ads turned civil when the war seemed to be near its end. It was much sooner than I would have expected.

Dick . . .

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Jul 28, 2022 - 8:52am
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

I don't think any Rolls Royce Merlin variants' were used in any Pt Boats. Only Packard marine engines. Cheers, Dennis

Posted By: Stearman | Posted on: Jul 30, 2022 - 7:58pm
Total Posts: 150 | Joined: Nov 1, 2017 - 9:38pm

Youâ€™re correct Dennis, no American production PTs used RR engines.

I think the confusion comes from the fact that Packard also built R.R. Merlins for Great Britain and Canada.

Dick . . .

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Jul 31, 2022 - 10:35am
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Jul 31, 2022 - 10:35am
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

Youâ€™re correct Dennis, no American production PTs used RR engines.

I think the confusion comes from the fact that Packard also built R.R. Merlins for Great Britain and Canada.

Dick . . .

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Jul 31, 2022 - 10:37am
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm