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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 305 RESTORATION PICS
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=2748

PICTURES OF PT 305 RESTORATION WW2 MUSEUM NEW ORLEANS

More Photos Here:

[url]http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT%20305/?start=all[/url]

Posted By: RANDY SMITH | Posted on: Aug 15, 2012 - 12:57pm
Total Posts: 182 | Joined: Jul 16, 2012 - 7:16pm

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/12.jpg[/image]
4M2500
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/13.jpg[/image]
4M2500
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/4.jpg[/image]
NEW DECK
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/3.jpg[/image]
NEW DECK
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/2.jpg[/image]
NEW DECK
2 PHOTOS OF OUR FIRST ENGINE
3 PHOTOS OF NEW DECK

Posted By: RANDY SMITH | Posted on: Aug 15, 2012 - 2:59pm
Total Posts: 182 | Joined: Jul 16, 2012 - 7:16pm

Wow!! What a beautiful job. Wish I was closer and could help. Good luck. [:-cheers-:]

REB

Posted By: rebsr52339 | Posted on: Aug 15, 2012 - 4:11pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Pain staking work, but well worth the effort. A class group of people no doubt. Same type folks as the group with PT-658. I only wish something like this was going on closer to where I am living, so I could try and be there....................

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Aug 16, 2012 - 1:25am
Total Posts: 3547 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Great craftsmanship!

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Aug 16, 2012 - 6:36am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

OUTSTANDING WORK!!!!! KEEP CHARGING!!!!!!
BRAVO ZULU TO ALL INVOLVED!!!

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Aug 16, 2012 - 6:57am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Hi there.

Looking at the fantastic detail of the wooden deck strips (and bullnose) I got to thinking that those images could be a real inspiration for a modeller to build a 1/72 scale diorama of a boat being restored. Workers could be converted from mny of the 1/72 scale figures available.

I can just see Frank adding this idea to his long list of Stan's To do dioramas.

Cheers

"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!"

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: Aug 17, 2012 - 8:39am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

NEW PIC FROM SATURDAY DECK WORK AND STEERING
[IMAGE]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/photo.jpg[/IMAGE]
MIXING DOLFINITE
[IMAGE]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/photo7.jpg[/IMAGE]
REMOVE DECK
[IMAGE]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/photo1.jpg[/IMAGE]
PUT DOLFINITE ON COTTEN CLOTH
[IMAGE]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/photo3.jpg[/IMAGE]
REPLACE DECK
[IMAGE]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/photo4.jpg[/IMAGE]
THOUSANDS OF BRASS SCREWS THEN 2X THE RIVETS
[IMAGE]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/photo6.jpg[/IMAGE]
[IMAGE]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/photo5.jpg[/IMAGE]
STEERING

Posted By: RANDY SMITH | Posted on: Aug 26, 2012 - 5:25pm
Total Posts: 182 | Joined: Jul 16, 2012 - 7:16pm

FANTASTIC!

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Aug 26, 2012 - 7:49pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

SIMPLY AMAZING work you guys are doing. I am so impressed with the knowledge you have to complete each phase of assembly.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Aug 26, 2012 - 8:24pm
Total Posts: 3547 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Just wondering why the planks aren't flush to each other? Is it so they can expand when wet and not buckle?

Cheers

"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!"

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: Aug 26, 2012 - 11:06pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Yes that it exactly right, those are for expansion. The bottom and sides were primed and painted, then a rabbit was routed on the two sides. The boards were then screwed with a slight gap. The large gap will be filled with a marine sealant flush with the top of the boards. This must be applied to the raw wood for the best adheision. The screw holes and rivet holes are filled with marine putty as per original. Then the deck is sanded and everything primed and painted. The deck boards should be totally encapsulated, but in a marine environment it would be impossible to keep moisture out.

Bob

Posted By: Bob | Posted on: Aug 27, 2012 - 12:35pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Boy she has come miles since I first started on her back in Tillman Island MD. I would love to share whatever photos I have from those days until she went to the group in Texas.

Jim Melanson

Posted By: Jim Melanson | Posted on: Sep 6, 2012 - 9:50am
Total Posts: 17 | Joined: Dec 20, 2006 - 8:16am

Jim,
I would love to see those pictures, please post..

Bob

Posted By: Bob | Posted on: Sep 6, 2012 - 3:42pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT%20305/250255_4595974427099_1621431550_n.jpg[/image]
We just received our bow light. This was made by a local machinist to the same exact specs as the Higgins drawings. This pic also shows some of the first copper rivets. We are getting the procedure figured out. We have made some custom tools to do this and still need to make some more to get around obstacles underneath. So now we only have 31,951 more rivets to go. The deck is about 1/3 done as far as the canvas and Dolphinite, all done as original.

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT%20305/380973_4596024948362_2077427616_n.jpg[/image]

Bob

Posted By: Bob | Posted on: Sep 9, 2012 - 6:21am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

The bow light looks great. I noticed when you posted photos of the application of the dolphinte material, the guys were on hands and knees doing the application. Could this not be applied with long poles attached to rollers to save the knees...........

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Sep 9, 2012 - 9:22am
Total Posts: 3547 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Very nice Bob, the bullnose looks really well done. The quality of your groups work is outstanding.

I'm looking forward to a race between you and Jerry.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Sep 9, 2012 - 11:06am
Total Posts: 2203 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Bob;
Nice work!! Sheing that freshly restored Bullnose, makes me wish I removed PT 308's when I had the chance, however, all I had in my car was a phillips, a regular and a 1/2" wrench, and Yes at the time the bowlight was still present.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Sep 9, 2012 - 2:05pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Hi Bob,
Thanks for posting these exciting photos! It warms my heart to see how much progress your group is able to make in such a short amount of time. You guys are really motivated! Great work on the deck, it sure looks perfect! That would be really cool if someday we could get both the 305 and the 658 back into the only remaining PT Boat Squadron and get underway together. How cool would that be? (Of course, we would outgun you, hah hah!) No seriously keep up the fantastic work! Jerry PT658 Portland

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Sep 9, 2012 - 2:56pm
Total Posts: 1498 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

What a dream that would be to one day see both boats operating together, it could be done, something to think about............

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Sep 9, 2012 - 4:22pm
Total Posts: 3547 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Frank, We tried rolling the dolphinite, but it just didnt work, even thinned out. Instead we found that trowelling it on works best. It goes pretty fast.

Bob

Posted By: Bob | Posted on: Sep 11, 2012 - 4:12am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Thanks Bob, I kind of thought you guys might try that method first, before switching to something else. Glad to hear it is going smoothly for you.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Sep 11, 2012 - 6:45am
Total Posts: 3547 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Bob, you and the gang are doing an outstanding job ! ! ! Bravo Zulu

Posted By: Black Ops | Posted on: Sep 11, 2012 - 1:07pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT%20305/380078_4622970781991_623133495_n.jpg[/image]

Forepeak hatch cutout.

Bob

Posted By: Bob | Posted on: Sep 13, 2012 - 5:36pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

PICS OF ENGINE #2, WE DISASSEMBLED IT LAST WEEK CHECKED THE MAINS AND RODS ALL IN GOOD SHAPE. NEXT IS ALLOT CLEANING AND PAINT.
[IMage]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/105ENG3.jpg[/IMage]
[IMage]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/105ENG2.jpg[/IMage]
[IMage]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/105ENG1.jpg[/IMage]

Posted By: RANDY SMITH | Posted on: Sep 17, 2012 - 5:22pm
Total Posts: 182 | Joined: Jul 16, 2012 - 7:16pm

As a machienist, not a canuk, I could not help but notice the use of all philips head wood screws on this restoration project. Try using Robertson (aka square head) screws, way better meathod unit for tightening, way less striped heads........you will like them a lot better..........you wont look back. Cheers, B.J.

B.J.

Posted By: pappy bj | Posted on: Oct 4, 2012 - 4:28am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Hi Pappy BJ
I noticed that as well, when we redid the deck on PT658 I desired that we use flat head slotted bronze screws just like the original, but we ended up using square head stainless steel screws instead. Mostly because it is very difficult to find a good selection of slotted bronze screws these days. I think the guys preferred using the steel square drives since they are so good and easy to use. Meanwhile, most of the available bronze screws are made in phillips head. Strange. Ultimately, the deck is screwed into the top of the deck beams and then I am pretty sure they will be installing the copper rivets to hold the two layers together. Maybe they used the only bronze screws they could find in that length, since I have no idea where they could obtain square drive bronze screws! Just my 2 cents.

Jerry
PT658 Portland

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Oct 4, 2012 - 9:48am
Total Posts: 1498 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

I worked for a bit with an English wooden boat builder who used slotted screws. He said he prefered them to Phillips or Robertson screws because the wood would swell and creep into the slots and that would help prevent them from backing out when the boat was in use. He also used to allign all the screw heads so that the slots pointed to each other.

Cheers

"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!"

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: Oct 4, 2012 - 11:45am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

The screws we used are frearson screws. They look like phillips but have a pointed tip. Frearson screws are mainly found as the marine bronze wood screws used in boat building.
I am a cabinet builder and use robertson screws everyday. I am not sure, but I believe that the frearson in silicon bronze may have been the most readily available. Remember, the deck screws are #12's 2 1/2" long, side hull #14 same length and bottom hull #16 same length. These are not screws you can buy at the hardware store. But these are the exact sizes Higgins used.
Try to find a countersink for a #14 woodscrew into hardwood. Cant find it at any hardware store, only on line and even then, hard to find. Then try a #16.
Now lets talk rivets, we tried to find a counterbore to fit, they dont make one. We need an 11/64" shank and a 9/16" bore for the rivet head, no such thing. So we have to do it in a two step method. Thats just drilling the holes. This does not include all the other steps to drive the rivet, set the washer, cut the shank and then form the left over shank material. All of this by the way takes two people, one on each side. And there are only 38,000 rivets, I think that there are 24,000 screws.
This weekend we will have all of the top layer of decking screwed down to the deck ribs with the canvas with dolphinite on both sides in between. We have been experimenting with the rivets, trying to figure out the best procedure. After this weekend we will start an assemby line for the riveting. There is not always an accessible area behind the rivet. This has led to the purchase of offset rivet sets and some custom made tools. Definately not a fun job, but as historically accurate as possible.

Bob

Posted By: Bob | Posted on: Oct 4, 2012 - 5:53pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Hi Bob,
Just a thought have a word to the boys in the metal working area and see if they have any centredrills these are used to start holes in metal on a lath or such to keep the drill that will creat the hole straight, being for metal they will work well in hardwood if driven slowly and are available in various sizes. You will still have to use a two drill system but the centredrill does make life a little easer.

This will work for your screws but I don't know if you need a countresink for the rivet if you require a flat base for them to sit in try Brownells as they have a number of differant types,

D.buck

Posted By: David Buck | Posted on: Oct 5, 2012 - 2:26am
Total Posts: 332 | Joined: May 4, 2008 - 2:59am

The charthouse will be fitted to the deck soon.

--
National WWII Museum
PT-305 Restoration
Phone: 504-528-1944 Extension 375
http://www.nationalww2museum.org/see-hear/collections/artifacts/pt-305.html
Fb: PT-305 "USS Sudden Jerk"

Posted By: Higgins Fan | Posted on: Oct 13, 2012 - 1:41pm
Total Posts: 128 | Joined: Aug 17, 2012 - 7:48pm

Randy

I appreciated the photos of the engine room and restored Packard engine. My father was in RON 22 and he told of sleeping below on a very cold, stormy night patrol. He slept next to the engine to stay warm, and next morning he couldn't hear a thing. His hearing returned after a day or two.

Incidentally, I have snapshots of his from April '45 which were taken at Oran, Algeria. They show loading the boats onto transport ships to take back to the states for refitting. Dad said the crossing was very rough, and he thought they'd capsize, but they made it !

Posted By: Jim McDaniel | Posted on: Oct 19, 2012 - 12:34pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

JIM

IF YOU COULD EMAIL ME randy@rudysmith.com . I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFO ON YOUR DAD, RON 22 OR THE BOATS THAT YOU COULD SHARE WITH US.
THANKS RANDY

Posted By: RANDY SMITH | Posted on: Oct 19, 2012 - 1:08pm
Total Posts: 182 | Joined: Jul 16, 2012 - 7:16pm

Awesome! BTW I found some levelometers today. A great day indeed.

--
National WWII Museum
PT-305 Restoration
Phone: 504-528-1944 Extension 375
http://www.nationalww2museum.org/see-hear/collections/artifacts/pt-305.html
Fb: PT-305 "USS Sudden Jerk"

Posted By: Higgins Fan | Posted on: Oct 19, 2012 - 1:13pm
Total Posts: 128 | Joined: Aug 17, 2012 - 7:48pm

Jim,
What boat was your Dad on? I would love to see those pictures too. E-mail mrfixithd@aol.com

Thanks,

Bob

Posted By: Bob | Posted on: Oct 19, 2012 - 1:45pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Friends of PT-305 has a newsletter coming out soon. It is a work in progress and it is hoped to show photos of the progress.

I have a subscription form for anyone to fill out by going to the following link:

[url]http://nationalww2museum.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=415745d1b76fbd303119c3f9a&id=03f846700d[/url]

--
National WWII Museum
PT-305 Restoration
Phone: 504-528-1944 Extension 375
http://www.nationalww2museum.org/see-hear/collections/artifacts/pt-305.html
Fb: PT-305 "USS Sudden Jerk"

Posted By: Higgins Fan | Posted on: May 23, 2013 - 4:02pm
Total Posts: 128 | Joined: Aug 17, 2012 - 7:48pm

There is a museum sponsored Flickr page of the 305 restoration, and more photos are headed its way.

[url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/37935745@N02/sets/72157633389196396/[/url]

--
National WWII Museum
PT-305 Restoration
Phone: 504-528-1944 Extension 375
http://www.nationalww2museum.org/see-hear/collections/artifacts/pt-305.html
Fb: PT-305 "USS Sudden Jerk"

Posted By: Higgins Fan | Posted on: Jun 5, 2013 - 3:39pm
Total Posts: 128 | Joined: Aug 17, 2012 - 7:48pm

JUST AWESOME, GUYS!!

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Jun 5, 2013 - 10:18pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Loving the restoration pics that I keep seeing on facebook. Where is she kept? I'll be down in New Orleans in a couple of weeks and would LOVE to see her for myself! Any chance that that could happen/ I could get some work time in on her?

Thanks a bunch for all that you're doing to keep this PT's legacy alive!

Cameron T. Smith
MIDN 3/C USN

Bletchley

Posted By: Bletchley | Posted on: Jun 15, 2013 - 5:36pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Bletchley;
Welcome Aboard!!! I am sure there is plenty of work for a Midshipman 3/C!!! All you have to do is ask Bob or Randy, I realize the NOLA area might be you hometown, but if you could get some of your classmates(10-15) to come down and help, it would be greatly appreciated and the USNA Class of ? would be recognized. Not only would you and your classmates be learning about your heritage, but you would be restoring the past for future generations to learn about! what year are you in? Are you a Plebe? Who knows if you can work it out you might be able to be on this boat when she gets underway!
Take care,
TED
NR SBU 24/NR SBU 20/SBR 2/SBU 26/SBU-SBT 20

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jun 15, 2013 - 6:37pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

WE ARE AT THE NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM 945 MAGAZINE NEW ORLEANS LA[:-cheers-:]

Posted By: RANDY SMITH | Posted on: Jun 15, 2013 - 9:46pm
Total Posts: 182 | Joined: Jul 16, 2012 - 7:16pm

Ted,

I am now considered a "Youngster" and am a member of the Class of 2016. I will be visiting the museum here in a couple of weeks, and am a newly-minted "Charter Member" of the museum (thanks to a gracious donation by a retired Navy CAPT that I go to church with. Anyway, I am a volunteer modeler at the USNA museum, and am currently working on two PT modeling projects, but could ALWAYS get more information from people who have worked on the vessels and have generally just been around these magnificent craft. (Yes, I guess one could say that I've caught the PT Bug!) Anyway, I will be coming with my father and grandfather, but not any classmates... As for the work, I'd certainly love to screw-in a few of those deck planks or something if you've got the opportunity for me to do so. I'm not positive on the date right now, but I know it will be through the week of 7 - 14 July. Again, I'm not sure just now at what day we'll be in NOLA, but I know we'll be there during that week. As for getting a few classmates or something to help, I know the Academy loves having Mids do summer trainings that are "internships", and I'd bet that they'd be more than willing to have us come-down to do a little restoration work and see what it's like to work in a museum and see our Navy's heritage preserved for the generations to come... I know I would love it! Also, there is always the possibility of bringing a crew down during leave some time to do a few days worth of work...

Thanks for the hasty response. I can't wait to see the Museum in it's full glory! As a WWII history buff, I've always heard about the museum ever since it first opened (I heard about it from my WWII vet Great Uncle, who recently passed-away before I left to come to the Academy), and have always wanted to go there. This is a historical trip that has been years in the planning, so needless to say, I can't wait to go on leave so I can go on this trip with my family!

Very Respectfully,
Cameron T. Smith
MIDN 3/C USN
1st Company Public Affairs Officer
United States Naval Academy Volunteer Modeler

Posted By: Bletchley | Posted on: Jun 16, 2013 - 9:14pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

The museum conducts tours of the 305 at twelve o'clock each day. One signs up for it when purchasing tickets, and the tour takes about 45 minutes.

--
National WWII Museum
PT-305 Restoration
Phone: 504-528-1944 Extension 375
http://www.nationalww2museum.org/see-hear/collections/artifacts/pt-305.html
Fb: PT-305 "USS Sudden Jerk"

Posted By: Higgins Fan | Posted on: Jun 17, 2013 - 6:08am
Total Posts: 128 | Joined: Aug 17, 2012 - 7:48pm

EMAIL ME WHEN YOU ARE COMMING .I WILL IN NEW YORK AND UP TO FALL RIVER MA JULY 14 TO THE 27TH. IF I AM NOT THERE I WILL GET SOMEONE ELSE TO SHOW YOU AROUND.

Posted By: RANDY SMITH | Posted on: Jun 17, 2013 - 6:20am
Total Posts: 182 | Joined: Jul 16, 2012 - 7:16pm

Bletchley;

Well Cameron, there you go, Those previous two posts are your main POC for PT 305. When you can post some photos of your modeling work for the USNA Museum, we can always excellent craftsmanship of our favorite subject: PT BOATS!
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jun 17, 2013 - 6:36am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am