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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: Torpedo Tube Cover information
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Greetings,
I've just become curious about torpedo tube covers after seeing the attached color photo of PT-61 and possibly PT-109 on it's starboard side. PT-61 appears to have an elongated torpedo tube cover and it appears to be brass that has developed a petena. PT-109 appears to me at least to be polished brass. They are similar in color to the ends of the depth charges on the boat located on the port side of PT-61.

Other pictures I've seen show what appears to be stubby covers usually covered by canvas. In some cases there is no cover at all but just canvas covering the tube.

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about these covers. Were they usually painted? Were the left natural metal? The color photos have really peaked my interest.

Thank you
Dave

[Image]http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n27/David_Waples/PT-61crewJuly1943.jpg[/Image]

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Jan 5, 2008 - 9:16pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

I just was looking thru my photo's and noticed a picture of PT 41 lashed to the deck, on her way to the War Zone. It looks as though she has the torpedo covers you speak of. I can make out several screw type devices that would attached the cover to the front of the tube. It would seem to me that the covers were made to keep out the salt water spray from getting into the tube. As you know the insides of the tube were covered in greese for easier insertion of the torpedo and to ensure smooth release when fired. As the war head sticks out of the tube, it almost looks like the cover would not have fit on the tube with the torpedo in place, maybe I am wrong here.

Also, using this cover would be a pain in the fanny, having to put it on and take it off, which might account for the canvas being wrapped around the opening of the tubes instead. In checking out the photo Wayne put up, I could not see any screw devices around the tube, holding the cover in place, so I will say that it is the actual war head we are seeing. Now, if it is the war head, the question I have is why is it not covered. In looking at some of my photo's, not all of the tubes are covered while the boat is underway, and the majority do not have the tube covers, but rather the canvas. We need the expert advise from a Torpedoman who used these tubes in early Combat.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jan 6, 2008 - 5:59am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am