The PT Boat Forum
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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?cid=101&fct=showf

ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: Visiting Jacksonville
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Hi - I am in Jacksonville FL for a bit - is there any thing remaining of the PT boat buillding industry in Jacksonville? Any PT boaters that live in Jacksonville? Would love to meet up and hear some great PT boat stories!

Posted By: colleen | Posted on: Jan 22, 2008 - 7:33pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Ahoy there Coleen-

I'm a scale modeler of PT boats and I currently reside in Jacksonville in the Mandarin area.

I'm so sorry that I did not get to you sooner, but my computer contracted a very nasty virus called a TROJAN HORSE that took my computer security expert son in law over 24 hours to fix!

Secondly, I just returned home yesterday from a 19 day hitch in a re-hab facility following major knee replacement surgury to my left knee.

I sure hope that you checked out the HUCKINS BOAT WORKS on the Ortega River. There are currently building yachts using the same PT boat design used in producing the Huckins PT during WW II.

My ship model club took a guided tour of the plant and it was wonderful. The lady in charge is the granddaughter of ol' Frank Huckins and is doing a fantastic job of keeping the spirit alive and well. During the tour we were shown the original plans that were drawn up for the original HUCKINS PT. I must say that those plan sets made me drool!

I don't know how long you'll be in Jacksonville, my dear, but next time plan a trip to the Huckins Boat Works! You will not be disappointed, nor will anyone reading this reply!

Frank Ryczek
Modeler/ Friend Ron 10- PT 169 "ZEBRA SNAFU"

HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!

YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY!

Posted By: FRANK | Posted on: Feb 20, 2008 - 12:23pm
Total Posts: 349 | Joined: Oct 7, 2007 - 2:09pm

Hi Frank - thanks for the info and I will try to find the number for the ship yard. I plan to tour the NAS before I leave, which will be in about 2 weeks. I have heard of Madarin - I think it is near where I am - I'm in Orange Park, near Blandings Blvd. Hope your knee is healing quickley!

Cheers!

Posted By: colleen | Posted on: Feb 20, 2008 - 6:27pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Hello Colleen-

Being that you are so close to me in Orange Park, Florida, why not visit my home and I'll give you a back door pass to viewing my Tulagi PT base diorama?

Just head over the Buckman Bridge north to Mandarin which is only 12 minutes drive.

If you want further directions, e-mail me at

shipkit@bellsouth.net

Looking foward to meeting you!

Frank Ryczek, Jr.

Modeler/Friend RON 10 PT -169

HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!

YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY!

Posted By: FRANK | Posted on: Feb 24, 2008 - 11:08am
Total Posts: 349 | Joined: Oct 7, 2007 - 2:09pm