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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
37 mm question.
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=598
The photos of the 169 show a 37 mm on the bow. It does not however have the loop mag. I've never seen a photo of the 37 without the mag and hope somebody knows something about it.
[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-11/65524/DOOBB-118287710-PT-169(01).jpg[/image]
[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-11/65524/KAOEI-54293563-PT-169(02).jpg[/image]
These 2 photos are in Johnson's book pages 106 and 107. Page 105 shows a boat with a 37mm and mount that look a lot like the 169 but it has the loop mag attached.
Ideas?
Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Jan 31, 2008 - 9:18am
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am
I have the technical manual for the M4 37mm cannon and it states that the ammunition was fed on an endless belt which held 30 rounds. It appears that in these pictures of PT 169 the magazine was removed at the time the photos were taken.
Hope this helps,
ALEX
Posted By: Alex Johnson | Posted on: Jan 31, 2008 - 11:44am
Total Posts: 70 | Joined: Mar 2, 2007 - 12:07pm
Alex is correct. The Magazine on the 37MM could be taken off and fed in the breech. The Circular Magazine was a continuous feed for the weapon, but did not have to be attached in order to fire. If memory serves me right, the 37MM was used on the P-39 Airplane, which I think was the Colt MK-4. The 37MM had a slow rate of fire and drooping trajectory, so it did not find favor on the planes. It was however a wonderful weapon on the boats for Barges and small enemy surface craft. I still think that if I could go back in time, I would prefer the twin 50 calibers as my station. They did a ton of damage and I think a weapon of choice for many Crewmembers.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jan 31, 2008 - 1:07pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Thanks guys. That is what I was looking for. I wanted to know if the mag was just not in place or if this was a different cannon that was fed differently. It sounds like I could model it with or without the loop mag and remain correct.
Thanks again,
Ed
Any color information would also be appreciated. In the photos it looks one color. I'm guessing green but that doesn't narrow it down very much. It might be the same green as the color photos posted that show a green 109 boat.
Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Jan 31, 2008 - 1:47pm
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am