PT Boat question...

Modeling Subjects Ships
41

Greetings Eric,

I finished the Revell kit last year and I’ve included the posting for my build below. Lots of questions. The 109 was dark green. The evidence I’ve come across suggests Tropical Green which is simply a paint created in the field. The photos I’ve seen indicate that it’s not “Tropical Green” as sold by WEM but rather more like 5-NG (Navy Green) sold by WEM. At the time Kennedy’s boat was sunk the boats were a variety of colors. The two skippers I spoke with from PT-105 are very firm that their boat was dark gray. It was probably Measure 1 which is 5-D and also available from WEM. I’ve found some color photos of these boats in Measure 1. I believe that the 109 was in this measure prior to being painted green. By the time President Kennedy took her she was probably pretty faded from the tropical sun. A color photo of a 77 foot Elco that I have tied up to the 109 boat is in a home brew light gray.

Regarding the WEM photoetch set. In my mind there are some parts that were very helpful to me and others I didn’t like at all. For example I think 1:72 is too large to have flat grab handles and depression rails.

The fun thing about PT’s is that the crews made due with what they could get their hands on. Here’s the link to my build. I thoroughly enjoyed building this model and hope you do as well.

http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/misc/patrol/pt109-72-dw/dw-index.html

Dave

42

Early war PT boats used the Mark 18 Torpedo launchers with the Mark 13 Torpedo, and used the “roll-off” racks with the Mark 13 Torpedos. The flash from the gun powder launched tubes was an issue, but it was not the main issue or the only one. Heres a couple reasons they switch to the roll off racks;

  1. Flash from igniting grease/lubricant gave away position.
  2. Air compressor (primary method)for launcher seldom worked.
  3. All equipment required for the tubes and the launchers add significant weight to the boats(less weight, go faster).
  4. Mark 8 Torpedos had simular issues as the Mark 14. The Mark 13 aircraft launched Torpedo significantly more reliable. Being 22.5 inch in diameter, I’d expect it to be slightly more powerful but I don’t remember that detail.
  5. And the most important reason , expediency. The Tubes needed to be in proper position before launch, difficult to use, etc., etc. The roll off racks would be eiser to load, maintain, and launch.