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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: Frank's PT exhibit in Springfield Mass'tts
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I just returned from visiting Frank Andruss' The Mosquito Fleet: World War II PT Boats exhibit (about 45 minutes away from my house) in Springfield Massachusetts. It is in the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum which is part of the Springfield Museums at the Quadrangle. Wow!
There are lots of pictures, posters, and artifacts.
There is a continuous movie that walks you through the entire process of building an Elco PT. It shows exactly how the double layer mahogany planked hull was built-up. (Even my Dad called it plywood). I think the exhibit will still be up through June 29th.
After leaving ... I felt the urge to get into PT boat modeling. Wonderful PT boat models were on display.
[image] http://www.valinet.com/~natsmith/PT/PT_ribs.jpg [/image]

Frank has on exhibit a PT Boat radio for all the radiomen looking on. I took this picture for Pat Rogers, the Radioman on my father's PT-154.
[image] http://www.valinet.com/~natsmith/PT/PT_radio.jpg[/image]

I'll get to those pictures I promised Frank (I went to the museum instead).

natsmith

Posted By: Nathaniel Smith | Posted on: Apr 27, 2008 - 3:07pm
Total Posts: 211 | Joined: Jan 19, 2008 - 6:55am



Nat

I am so happy that you went to the Exhibit. I am in hopes that I have done the PT BOATERS proud. PT 41 was made by Alex Johnson who frequents this site and is a close friend, as well as another close friend, Stanley Pienkowski, who built PT 213, and the Italeri Kit for the Exhibit, as well as the 1940's Varney Kit. Again, thank you so much for taking the time to see the Exhibit..........



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Apr 27, 2008 - 5:09pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



FRANK,
I HOPE I CAN VISIT YOUR MUSEUM SOON.
MY DAD RM2c PT221 WOULD HAVE BEEN THRILLED TO SEE THE RADIO PICTURE SHOWN IN THIS MESSAGE.



Posted By: Rm2c Ron 16 PT 221 | Posted on: Apr 28, 2008 - 7:38am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



NATE,
THANKS FOR POSTING THE PICTURE OF THE RADIO.



Posted By: Rm2c Ron 16 PT 221 | Posted on: Apr 28, 2008 - 7:40am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



RM2/c

I would be honored to have you come to the Exhibit. Please note that it will be on display until the end of June 2008. Museum hours are Tuesday thru Sunday, 11:00am until 4:00pm. Hope you can make it.



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Apr 28, 2008 - 9:17am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am