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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: PT Boat Search Light on Ebay!
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=728

Hello Everyone,

Is this Ebay item the real thing?
The seller seems quite certain of it. Item number: 260232125568

Posted By: SouthWestPacificPT | Posted on: Apr 20, 2008 - 8:43am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Please note that the item is original as I was the one who sold it to the seller several years ago. The man who brought it home had worked on the salvage crew on Base 17. I do not know which boat it came from. A letter from the man was sent to the seller at the time he purchased it. Rest assured this is the real deal. I have another one in my Exhibit....................

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Apr 20, 2008 - 10:33am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Hello Frank!

Thank yoooooou!!!

I think I'll wait to bid on the last day, someone has 24.99 on it already.

Bye Bye for now,
Joy

Posted By: SouthWestPacificPT | Posted on: Apr 20, 2008 - 5:10pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Frank that was great that you put your stamp on the ad- Its funny to see this re-surface, I was out bid the last time.

Posted By: VCR | Posted on: Apr 20, 2008 - 5:35pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

I do not see the shutters in the light which were used for signaling by flashing light. Perhaps that type was not mounted on all boats.

Posted By: QM | Posted on: Apr 20, 2008 - 7:53pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

QM
You are correct Sir, not all of the lights had shutters as PT BOATS did little if any signalling. In fact most never even turned their lights on........

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Apr 20, 2008 - 8:17pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Here's a reference pic with what looks like a blinker system set up:

[image]http://www.pistolpackinmama.net/pb/wp_b13f9d20/images/img1248446e56121cdd9d.jpg[/image]

That's Jim on PT 243, a Higgins in the Phillipines, 1945.

Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net

Posted By: newsnerd99 | Posted on: Apr 21, 2008 - 6:31am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

A blinker system was needed even though it was seldom used. When a challenge was received it was necessary to respond. There was a hand held light in the cockpit that was effective at night. In daylight the stronger beam of the searchlight was sometimes needed.

For those not familiar with the challenge, it was a three letter message which required a three letter response. The signals were changed about every four hours.

I can not be sure from the above picture, but blinker system may be mounted on the rim of the searchlight.

Posted By: QM | Posted on: Apr 21, 2008 - 9:14am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

The above picture shows eight bolts which appear to attach the blinker shutters to the light. The searchlight on ebay shows the eight holes where the bolts would be inserted. The shutters have apparently been removed from the one for sale on ebay. I believe a part of the original has been removed.

Posted By: QM | Posted on: Apr 21, 2008 - 11:36am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Hello QM!!

Thank you, but...that one looks different, the photo posted above says
Higgins boat.

Bye for now
Joy

Posted By: SouthWestPacificPT | Posted on: Apr 21, 2008 - 7:04pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Search lights on Elco boats also were equipped for flashing light signaling. Although I don't know who made the lights, they could have been made by the same company.

I am not trying to say the the light on ebay is not the real item. It is just that a part is missing.

Posted By: QM | Posted on: Apr 22, 2008 - 1:01pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

One should take into consideration that Elco, Higgins, and Huckins used many different suppliers for the boats. Elco for instance used at least 4 different Companies for their lights alone. When Elco needed shipments of parts, they might get some from one Company and some from another. For instance, the guages on the helm or in the engine room were supplied by many Companies, and you might get a Tac that was a Weston or you might get a Tac that was from Universal.

Same thing for the lights. Shutters were not always supplied and some lights had the shutters fixed to the outside of the light, such as the case on PT 374, which had one of those contraptions fitted to the outside of the light. In Victor Chungs book, page 64, PT 373 is a prime example. It shows the light with no shutters.

Also on page 103 of the SAME BOOK YOU WILL SEE THE LIGHT IN QUESTION AS PART OF THE SET UP ON PT 591. I also have several shots of the lights from manufacturer's which show no shutters as part of the light. Now, this is not to say they did not have them, because they did. It is just that some did not, so I believe that nothing is missing off of this light, but shutters could certainly be added if needed.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Apr 22, 2008 - 2:22pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

well the auction ended-I ran it up to $500.00-this was what I was willing to spend.(twice what it went for years ago) Hopefully the item went to a true PT guy.

Posted By: VCR | Posted on: Apr 26, 2008 - 5:23pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Wow! That is a lot of money. Next time look for one with the blinker system attached. I would not be satisfied with anything less.

Posted By: QM | Posted on: Apr 26, 2008 - 6:09pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Considering I was the guy who sold this light several years ago, I too was surprised at the high bid on EBAY. I have the other light that went with that one. I might be willing to part with it. Same as the one on EBAY only I never had a base made for this one. If anyone is interested contact me at mosquitofleet@comcast.net This is the real deal that came from BASE 17. No shutters, so if this bothers you don't contact me..........

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Apr 26, 2008 - 6:30pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Frank-I still need to send you the pictures from our last correspondence! I haven't forgot-my wife actually got me a nice padded envelope for them. PM me at vetconstruction@aol.com. I as always would be very interested in what you have to sell.
As far as the shutters-I'm very realistic and also understand that not every boat was equipped the same way-coming from a military family-growing up in Norfolk-and having served in the USMC myself-the government and its subs, do the best they can and substitute as they see fit.
Shutters or not...I'm always open.
Michael

Posted By: VCR | Posted on: Apr 26, 2008 - 7:26pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Christ-I bowed out at 500 (30 MINUTES TILL IT CLOSED)-I just looked at my e bay messages from the rev-I had no idea it went to 900+, wow that was a lot of money! I see that as a sound investment on the revs part!

Posted By: VCR | Posted on: Apr 26, 2008 - 7:41pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Well,

I did it again!! I seem to be quite the shopper for PT Boat Items when it comes to finding the real deals by accident, I just can't afford what I find!

Thank you all again for your help!

Posted By: SouthWestPacificPT | Posted on: Apr 27, 2008 - 9:51pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Thank you, but the un-invite was not necessary. If I wanted a searchlight, it would have to be epuipped for flashing light signaling just like the ones I used on the boats. Truthfully, I am no longer in the acquisition mode. I have been disposing of my navy collection from WW II. I have given uniforms, pictures and various other items to PT Boats, Inc. I couple of items that my son wanted to keep were given to him. I still have a few items of some value. Anyone covetion these "treasures" need not try to contact me.....

Posted By: QM | Posted on: Apr 28, 2008 - 6:13pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Correction: Anyone coveting these items need not contact me.....

Posted By: QM | Posted on: Apr 28, 2008 - 6:19pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Why the attitude Sir.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Apr 28, 2008 - 7:24pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Why the attitude was precicely what I thought of your post of April 26. This topic should been closed at that time. However, one unnecessary sentence was added, taking a parting shot at the one person who had brought up the subject on the searchlight's use for flashing light signaling. May this topic now rest in peace.

Posted By: QM | Posted on: Apr 30, 2008 - 5:36pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

QM, Sorry you took my post as a parting shot at you. That was not my intention at all. It was just my way of letting those interested in the light know it had no shutters. Funnny, I thought your post was an attempt to undermine my authority on the subject. Guess, we both took things the wrong way. Now, the subject can indeed rest in peace.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Apr 30, 2008 - 7:29pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

A shot cannot be unfired. A picture of a searchlight being used for visual signaling is posted earlier. Full disclosure cannot undermine anyone's authority.

Posted By: QM | Posted on: May 2, 2008 - 5:07pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

QM

It is obvious that you feel the need to continue on with this subject of Shutters on PT BOAT LIGHTS. Or, it could be you feel the need to have the last word on the subject. I will say it again, that I certainly did not mean to offend you in any of my Post's. You felt the need to continue on about not getting a light without shutters, and my thought was NOT ALL BOATS HAD SHUTTERS ON THEIR LIGHTS. I based my comments on conversations with many PT BOAT VETERANS, and many photo of the lights showing them with no shutters what so ever.

Indeed some of the boats had the shutters attached to the lights, but most did not use the lights even during the day. In fact, most boats used Blinker Tubes and Semephore Flags to communicate. Many Quartermasters informed me that during the time they spent on the boats, they never saw the light on. Some Skippers even taped the switch to the light on the control panel so as not to accidently push it on.

It is true that once a shot is fired you can't take it back, but once in a while that shot never reaches it's target.............

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: May 2, 2008 - 5:26pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Hello again!!

You might want to see what the Reverend has up for Auction today!
It's the PT boat Signal Flasher now!! Item number: 260236833241

You fellas have taught me what to look for, I think I can spot them now!

Maybe I can afford this one??

Bye bye for now

Posted By: SouthWestPacificPT | Posted on: May 3, 2008 - 6:52pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Many of us well remember your last "shoot out" with another person on this forum. Fortunately it was lost on the old message board. It seems to me that you always need the last word. I had not been on a boat more than a week when on one of my first trips we were transporting a passenger to the north coast of Mew Britain. As we approached the site of the recent landing we came under fire from shore. The skipper conferred with our passenger, a marine general. The skipper then instructed me to use the blinker system to request a boat to transport the general ashore. The order was acomplished. About one week later we were returning from the south shore of New Britain crossing the Vitiaz Straight to Dreger. It was getting light but not yet sunrise. We were travelling through rain squalls, and I was lying on top of the day room just aft of the cockpit. Everyone suddenly began shouting my name. I looked up and saw a DD of a DE flashing the challenge code. I responded with flashing light. We had crossed the path of a convoy heading North through the straights between New Guniea and New Britain. I seldom used the light after those two early experiences.

I have a beautiful picture of PT 221 from November, 1944. It shows the blinkers on the searchlight. The shutters on ebay look like those on the 221.

Posted By: QM | Posted on: May 5, 2008 - 7:00pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Because of my respect for you as a PT BOAT VETERAN, I shall not keep this going. Your experiences on the boat is certainly something to be proud of. I thank you for doing what you did, so that I can be here today. QM, lets be friends. You have much to offer, and I would love to hear about your time spent on the boats.........

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: May 5, 2008 - 9:07pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Thank you. I was thinking about posting some thoughts about life on the boats and some of the foolish things we did. No war stories. I may be slow in proceeding, and anything posted will probably be in short installments. I don't use the computer very much and it doesn't cooperate some times.

Posted By: QM | Posted on: May 7, 2008 - 1:57pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

QM: Any memories shared would be greatly appreciated by all......

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: May 7, 2008 - 2:35pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

Hello QM!

My Dad was a Motor Mac on two of the Elco's, any good Motor Mac stories?

Thank you for your service

Bye bye for now!

Joy

Posted By: SouthWestPacificPT | Posted on: May 9, 2008 - 6:59pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered