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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
PT-61 Update, Stan Pienkowski’s current build
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=3820
Currently I’m having Stan Pienkowski build this PT-61 model for me in honor of Lt. Ken Prescott and that I thought I would share with board.
Frankie
Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: May 3, 2015 - 12:00pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am
Looks nice, Frank. Is it 1/32nd scale? Are those torpedo tubes from the Lindberg kit?
Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: May 4, 2015 - 1:50pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am
1:24 scale Drew, not sure about the Torpedoes they were donated and Stan has been upgrading them to look more realistic.
Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: May 4, 2015 - 1:59pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am
Cool.
Those 77' Elcos really have somewhat of a retro, "1930's cabin cruiser" look to them, and knowing the 77's were the first to encounter the Japs around Guadalcanal makes them that much more interesting to me.
The 80' Elcos are my primary love as far as WWII PTs are concerned, but the 77's, particularly the second-series boats, are a close second as far as aesthetics are concerned.
I sure wish Revell had made a 1/72nd scale model kit version of a second-series 77' Elco.
Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: May 5, 2015 - 1:23pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am
Like you, I love the 80 foot Elco, my favorite, but it was the 77 footer that stemmed the tide early on in the War. Here is hoping that Italeri will build a 1:35 77 Footer.
Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: May 5, 2015 - 9:51pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am
She is going to look great in your collection Frank. What color are you going to have Stan spray it and what color did you do that 1/35 scale Higgins boat in ?
Posted By: Roy Forbes | Posted on: May 6, 2015 - 8:44am
Total Posts: 371 | Joined: Sep 5, 2012 - 4:57pm
Ken Prescott said that he had the boat repainted 4 parts Light Grey and 1 part Dark Blue. When Stan paints the model it will appear grey in his workshop, not like the boat in the color photos until you take the boat upstairs in the sunlight.
I do not remember the color for the Higgins. Usually I am there before Stan paints the boat, and he does a test pattern for me to approve the colors. Many times we do not like the color and go with what looks best, and closely matches it. It will be another nice addition to my Exhibit.
Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: May 6, 2015 - 10:13am
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am
Has anyone seen or have a good photo (or all around photos) of the inside of the flying bridge for the Elco 77 foot boats? I am building a 1/20 scale of the 61 boat as a gunboat. The only thing I came across is a photo of the PTC Elco 77 footer.
Lew
http://lewsmodelboats.org/M-PTGB-3-3.htm
Lew
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Dec 14, 2015 - 9:28pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Lew;
Believe it or not there are very few photos of the cabin and cockpit areas.
Some of the photos are PT 61, thanks to my almost 20 year friendship with CAPT. Ken Prescott, Exec and Skipper of PT 61(Exec 6 April-10 Aug 1943, Skipper 11Aug- Sep 1943) and Skipper of PT 48(14 Nov 1943-1 March 1944). Also my correspondence with CDR John M. Searles (Exec PT 15, PT 48. Skipper PT 48, PT 60, PT 59, CO RON 3(2) and RON 31). Here is what I have:
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/KEN%20PRESCOTT%20AND%20JOE%20KERNELL%20PT%2061%20TULAGI%20SPRING%201943.jpg[/image]
Joe Kernell (left) and Ken Prescott(right) in cockpit of PT 61, May 1943
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT61_May_1943_Color_03Captioned_1.jpg[/image]
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT61_May_1943_Color_02_Captioned_1.jpg[/image]
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/LCDR%20Alan%20R%20MONTY%20Montgomery%20and%20LT%20John%20M%20Searles%20ABOARD%20PT%2060%20July%201942%20PANAMA.jpg[/image]
LCDR Alan "Monty" Montgomery(left) and LT, John M. Searles onboard PT 60, Panama 20 July 1942.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/77%20ELCO%20CABIN%20INTERIOR.jpg[/image]
70' ELCO Cabin, when new a 77' cabin looked very similar.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT%2059%202.jpg[/image]
PT 59 Port side cabin May 1945. Secondary helm was removed at sometime out in warzone.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT%2047%20stbd%20side%20cabin.jpg[/image]
PT 47 Starboard side Cabin May 1945.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Dec 15, 2015 - 8:04am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Ted, thanks for posting the photos. I have seen most of them except for the first and fourth ones. My concern is the instruments and switches on the forward bulkhead (near wheel, door to the inside). Not any good views for the Elco 77' PT boat. The nice photo of the Elco 77 PTC shows nothing there but a push button switch between the door (top left) and the window. Looks like one of the old time buzzer switches.
The PTC photo also shows a series of buttons under a protection bar, on the left bulkhead. This is apparent in the third photo, just to the left of Ken's mid-back. You can see it better if you lighten up the photo. There is also a plate with two knobs on it just to the left of the multi-button plate.
I see models with a panel with a group of buttons on the forwward bulkhead. Likewise, I don't see the grouping of switches and knobs on the left bulkhead that are on the PTC that are very possibly on the PTs.
Bottom line is that I am still seeking what the Elco 77' outside bridge bulkhead views should look like. With the really good photos of the interior of these boats looked like one would think there were some of the outside bridge.
Lew
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Dec 15, 2015 - 3:29pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
BTW the photo of the PTC bridge is on: http://pt-king.gdinc.com/PTC's2.html
Lew
Lew
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Dec 15, 2015 - 3:31pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
duplicate deleted
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Dec 15, 2015 - 3:31pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Lew;
Read your bio of PT 61. PT 59, PT 60 and PT 61 did not get shipped to Panama. The ran on there own hulls from Melville, later on 18 May 1942. LCDR Tom Warfield(60),LT Charles Mills(59) LCDR Henry Farrow(61) (LT Henry Robert Montgomery was Exec on 61 at this time he left boat in Miami. Also on board 61 was ENS. Joe Kernel and ENS J. Brent Greene). Original RON 2 boats were shipped to Panama on 16 Dec 1941, from the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Also, PT 61 was not returned to Melville in August 1944. Only PT 38, 39, 40, 47, 48 and 59 were returned to Melville in August 1944.
LT Bayard L. Teigan the last Skipper of PT 61.
PT 61(ELCO HULL # 3347) on 16 February 1944 it was designated a Small Boat No. C- 68731**.
On 18 February 1944, LT Teigan delivered the boat to Commander Naval Base New Georgia and C- 68731(EX PT 61) was transferred to Standard Landing Craft Unit 14. To be used as an ASR boat and VIP Transport hack. Her Nickname at this time was "Sea Biscuit".
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT%2061%20as%20small%20boat%20C687231%201944%2045.jpg[/image]
C- 68731 (EX- PT 61) Late 1944.
Take care,
TED
**In Compliance with COMMTBRONSSOPAC Airmail gram 082257 of 8 February 1944
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Dec 15, 2015 - 7:10pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Ted,
Thanks for reading and corrections to the Gunboats history file. I am in the process of revising it, mostly to add info on the PT59.
I am a little confused as to the fate of 61 as to the final location of 61. I was told it was in a North Carolina NAS. So, it never came back?
Also, I lightened up the Photo of Prescott at the helm and you ca see the outline of the panel on the port bulkhead:
http://lewsmodelboats.org/PTGB-3-images/PT61Cockpit-1-bright.jpg
Lew
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Dec 15, 2015 - 10:30pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
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Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Dec 15, 2015 - 10:30pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Lew;
PT 59 (C-102584) and PT 47(C-102583) were used as ASR boats at NAS Norfolk for awhile. PT 38(C-68730) we recently discovered came back to Melville and looks like it was used for repair training with PT 40(C-73995), PT 48 was repaired also by MTBRTU, but was put back in the water in some sort of capacity, before being re-designated as Small Boat (C-102582) on 14 Oct 1944, the same date as 39, 47, and 59 were redesignated.. PT 39(C-102581) was repaired to 2nd series trunk cabin specs, as it had an engineroom explosion after returning to Melville. It then went via barge and truck to NYC for a War Bond parade/appearance. After the war PT 40, 48, and 59 were sold. PT 39 was destroyed (burned) at Solomon's Island, Maryland, because nobody would buy it, Chip Marshall found BuOrd Documents confirming this. PT 47 was designated for disposal on 21 March 1947. PT 38's final disposition is still a mystery.
Once the 77' PT boats were re-designated as small craft, their PT Boat Log Books were removed from the boats and sent to CNO/Naval Achieves in Washington DC. They are currently in the National Archives, as per Gene Kirkland's website.
I am not sure, but the logical thing would be to give the re-designated boats new log books under the C- designation number, just to maintain vessel documentation for travels, crew changes, courses, maintenance and repairs, etc. But as of this date, no PT Boat researcher has found one of these later "Small Craft" Log Books.
Last info I have is Ex PT 61 went to Green Island. If you have documentation stating PT 61 was a ASR boat in North Carolina I would be interested in seeing it.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Dec 16, 2015 - 8:08am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Ted,
Thanks once more. I had received an email from an author that "he heard..." about the 61 boat going to NC. No documentation.
Lew
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Dec 16, 2015 - 8:48am
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Lew;
Here you go:
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT%2059%20late%201960s.jpg[/image]
EX PT 59 1969-1970 off Sheepshead Bay, NY
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT%2059%20Bronx%20NY%201974.jpeg[/image]
EX PT 59 1974 next to 207th St Railroad Bridge, Harlem River, Bronx, NY
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Dec 16, 2015 - 4:03pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Ted,
When I was a kid (born 1944) in the early-mid 1950's there was a boat in the Basin at Howard Beach sitting in the water as we passed on the way to Rockaway Beach (Long Island, NY). I still remember this boat, which I believe was an ex-PT boat, having a new plywood structure being put on it. I don't know how many ex-PT boats were in the NY area.
Thanks for the photos of the remains of the 59 boat. What a shame about the mix up in numbers.
Lew
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Dec 16, 2015 - 6:41pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
.
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Dec 16, 2015 - 6:42pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Lew;
I too am originally from Long Island(born 1963 in Amityville), I grew up in Massapequa and Lindenhurst. I know the areas that you mentioned quite well.
As for Ex PT Boats in the Howard Beach, Rockaway and East Rockaway, Sheepshead Bay, etc. I know of 3.
Between all of Long Island and New Jersey coast 1947-1970's, I know of about 12 boats.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Dec 16, 2015 - 8:19pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
I was born in 1955 and raised in Brooklyn NY. All my childhood friends and I had PT boat models, the Revell 109 and the smaller Revell Higgins 207 boat. In 1967, I spied a Higgins boat tied up in the Stillwell Avenue Creek near Coney Island Brooklyn as we passed in my Dad's car on the Belt Parkway. Could not believe my eyes.
Well, soon thereafter a recon force of 12 year old PT fanatics on bikes made the ride to the spot. There she was. We met the owner, an old timer in (I would guess) his 70's or 80's. We got the tour. She was PT-309 and he told us she had seen lots of action. He bought her surplus after the war. We were disappointed to learn that he pulled the three big gas guzzling Packards out and put a diesel in. The boat was earning her living as a floating welding shop. The chart house was still in place, but the side bulwarks with the turrets were removed. On her aft deck, a shop structure had been built, no doubt to house the welding shop. I recall a navy style life raft on the stern mounted on a railing across the transom. Her foredeck still had all the ventilators and her ship's wheel was still in place. It sticks in my head from that 12 year old's impression that I was surprised that a fast boat would have a traditional ship's wheel with all the handles on the spokes. It was varnished wood. Her overall color was still Navy Haze gray overall. It also made an impression as to the actual size of a PT boat, a lot bigger than I had visualized in my head.
She was there for many months and we made additional trips. Once, passing on the Belt in Dad's Chevy, I saw her heeled over on her starboard side (she was tied up along a bulkhead wall to port with her starboard deck edge awash. I thought she had sunk, because after that, she was gone. I thought the City of NY had towed her out and junked her. Turns out she was just bottomed out and heeled over by low tide.
Years later, I read of PT-309 being restored for the Nimitz Museum. I contacted them and told them the story of our 1967 PT summer field trips. They were very interested because some years after this, she was made into a party boat running out of Long Island somewhere when they acquired it. Nobody alive knew her past history once she was surplussed. They asked me to send a letter detailing what I knew, and so I sent it to them. They wanted to put it on file as it filled in the boat's history from being surplussed onward until she became a party boat. They were quite surprised that in 1967, she still had her original chart house. They wished they still had it.
Mike
Posted By: Michael Vorrasi | Posted on: Dec 22, 2015 - 10:17am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Wow, what a sad end for the 59.
Breaks your heart to see that 1974 photo of her...
Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Dec 26, 2015 - 3:31pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am
Ted,
Where did the information that you have added under the photo of the 59 sunk at the Harlem river come from?
And might you have ever gone looking to see if she is still there or possibly somewhere else?
Dave.
D.buck
Posted By: David Buck | Posted on: Jan 1, 2016 - 9:04pm
Total Posts: 332 | Joined: May 4, 2008 - 2:59am
Does anyone have good information on the armor shield (wind screen) used on the PT-61 (gunboat version)? I have a copy of the "Oct. 43" drawing for the 61 and the top view shows the pilot side set back from the right side. The photo of the 60 boat's bridge (Lt. Thom at the wheel) seems to show the leading edge where the shield meets the cabin's roof as being straight across. Also the curved (drawing) top/side edge is straight on the photo.
It would be great if I could include a sketch or photo of what I mean - anyway of doing this?
Lew
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Jan 5, 2016 - 7:28pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Hi Lew,
When you have a moment could you email me.
Yours,
D.buck
Posted By: David Buck | Posted on: Jan 6, 2016 - 2:05am
Total Posts: 332 | Joined: May 4, 2008 - 2:59am
Hi Drew,
When you have a moment could you email me.
Yours,
D.buck
Posted By: David Buck | Posted on: Jan 6, 2016 - 2:11am
Total Posts: 332 | Joined: May 4, 2008 - 2:59am
Lew;
On the enlarged side of the "windscreen" was the Radar unit(at least it was on PT 59). While it is not a good rule of thumb to have this electrical radar unit/equipment to be in what I consider an exposed(to the elements) location, this is the way they did it. I know this had to be a "mobile" unit with quick disconnects in this location, so it could be moved into the cabin. But this is the location the PT 59 diagrams show it in. there is also another compass on top of this portion
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jan 6, 2016 - 6:42am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
It would seem that all three boats would be quite similar as they were modified during the same month. However, sometimes when I build a group of similar parts I wind up making changes/improvements to the followup parts and re-making the first one or two. Perhaps the 60 & 61 are different from the 59.
About the radar electronics in the 59, if the unit was on the flying bridge perhaps it was covered by pert of the armor shield or maybe even weatherized. Look at the WW2 radios used in the field - they look like the were in a rugged package.
Another thing I am looking for is where is the communications antenna. I read somewhere that the boats had a 20-foot whip antenna. From some of the photos of the gunboats it looks like it is behind the flying bridge but in front of the 50's-tubs slightly offset to the port. Anyone able to pinpoint this and what the mount looks like.
I ask all these questions as I am trying to make the model as accurate as possible.
Many thanks to all for your help. Lew
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Jan 6, 2016 - 1:15pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Lew;
There was a top plate on the enlarged windscreen section.
In the photos below, the 20' whip antenna is mounted on the plate that goes across the back of the cockpit. some boats moved this over time to a mount on the port side of the cabin, but the gunboats seem to have left it where it was always mounted, on the plate(rear splinter shield).
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/Lennie%20Thom%20and%20Al%20Webb%20on%20PT%2060%20oct-nov%201943_1.jpg[/image]
PT 60 Oct-Nov 1943.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT-61Cockpit.jpg[/image]
PT 61 May 1943. Notice radio antenna mounted on plate.
Hope this helps.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jan 7, 2016 - 8:41am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
I posted this on rcgoups (pt) the other day but have not seen any responses. Perhaps I will have better luck here:
Does anyone know how the swinging diagonal support on the back of the SO radar mast moved to the down position on the 59/60/61 gunboats? If the mast was mounted on the hump behind the turrets per the Ross drawing, and the horizontal position support was just aft of the engine room sliding hatch, when the mast is in the folded position the deck attachment plate would end up over/on top of the engine room hatch.
[image]http://lewsmodelboats.org/PT-GB-images/Radar-movement.jpg[/image]
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Mar 27, 2016 - 1:32pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Hi Lew,
We have an original Radar Mast on loan from PT Boats Inc mounted aboard the PT658, and the diagonal prop can be disconnected from either end. So I imagine all they did was to disconnect the top of the prop from the sides of the mast and lay it alongside the radar mast somewhere out of the way. Just an educated guess.
Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR
Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Mar 27, 2016 - 2:13pm
Total Posts: 1498 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm
Hey Lew
The radar dome cradle on the 77 Elco's was much taller than the 80 Elco cradle. Look on page 100 & 101 in Victor Chun's second volume of American PT's. There are several pics of ex PT 59 that should answer your questions.
Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2
Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Mar 27, 2016 - 9:21pm
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm
A reply on RC Groups said:
The dome cradle on the 77 footers was much taller than on the 80 Elco's. The domes were in a less than horizontal angle when in the lowered position. If you have access to a copy of Victor Chun's second edition of American PT Boats, check out pages 100 & 101 there are some views that should answer your question quite well.
Unfortunately I don't have a copy of Chun's book nor is there one at the county's multiple city libraries cooperative. I do have some downloaded photos of the 59, 60, & 61 as gunboats, but all with the mast up.
I was going to order this book but the difference in price from the the 1st to the 2nd ed is quite a bit. Hopefully I can find this info or photos somewhere else. Or, maybe someone can give me a verbal description.
Thanks for the help.
Lew
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Mar 28, 2016 - 11:28am
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
I posted the answer you saw on the hobby site. Let me try a brief description. The cradle for the dome appears to have the same semi circular shape as the 80' Elco. The cradle sits on an arch with legs that are taller than the pivot point of the radar legs. If you can envision the dome in your drawing sitting at the same angle, but above horizontal, that would be very close to their attitude in the " down " position
Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2
Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Mar 28, 2016 - 5:43pm
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm
Probably around 70 degrees from vertical, rather than 90.
Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2
Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Mar 28, 2016 - 5:48pm
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm
Lew;
Here are two photos that should help you.
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT%2059%20stbd%20bow.jpg[/image]
C-102584 EX-PT 59 3/23/1945
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Ted%20Walther/PT%2059%20port%20aft%20quarter.jpg[/image]
C-102584 EX-PT 59 3/10/1945.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Mar 28, 2016 - 7:24pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Thanks Ted, Jerry, and Larry!
This will help me quite a bit. Finally have the boat looking good. The next step is the radar and mast assembly, then on to the guns and crew plus a few details. As I work on the model I think about the crew working hard under tough weather conditions at times, yet to see the smiles in so many photos...
Runs great in the water, slightly with that overburdened look that Ken Prescott mentioned in his book.
And about those photos, it is sad to see the 59 rot away in the Harlem River.
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Mar 28, 2016 - 10:26pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
For some reason I had put the PT-59 photos in another folder - I also found this photo of PT-59 under transport. The truck has Philadelphia Navy Yard on it. Hope the driver took the wedge-chocks out before he started.
Interesting is the dates on the photos, dock, trailer, then what appears to be dis-assembly.
[image]http://lewsmodelboats.org/PT-GB-images/elco77-9.jpg[/image]
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Apr 1, 2016 - 10:57am
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Another question. There are three antennas on the 59 gunboat. Looks like the long one is the for the Collins Radio, the horizontal "wheel" for IFF, but what is the one on the starboard side of the chart house? It appears to have six elements with lengths that might be VHF.
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Apr 13, 2016 - 9:18pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Does anyone know the names of the CO, XO, and the crew of the PT-61 (as a gunboat) in late 1943 - early 1944?
Lew
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Jul 28, 2016 - 3:48pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Lew;
I will send you what I have when I get home.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jul 28, 2016 - 6:29pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Lew;
Here are all of them:
PT 61 Skippers and Exec's:
RON 4
ENS. John Clagett 2/19 -5/18/42 CO(Plankowner, accepted and picked up boat at ELCO).
ENS. James E. Miller 2/19 -5/18/42 EXEC (Plankowner)
LCDR Henry Farrow 5/18 - 6/15/42 CO
LT. Henry Robert Montgomery 5/18 - 5/24/42 EXEC
ENS Joseph C. Kernell 5/18 -6/24/42 CO
ENS James Brent Greene 5/18 -6/24/42 EXEC
While attached to RON 4 PT 61 was a training boat, so Skippers and Exec's and crews would rotate every other day, underway.
RON 2 transferred with crew to on May 7, 1942
RON 3(2) transferred with crew to on July 27, 1942
LT. Hugh M. Robinson 6/24 - 11/42 CO
ENS Joseph C. Kernell 6/24 - 11/42 EXEC
ENS Joseph C. Kernell 11/42- 2/18/42 CO
CMM Arthur Stuffert COB(Chief of the Boat)/EXEC 11/42-2/1/43
ENS. John F. "Jake" Kearny 2/1 - 2/18/43 EXEC
LT Allan H. Harris 2/17 - 3/29/43 CO
LT. Richard D. Mahan 2/17 - 3/29/43 EXEC
LT Richard D. Mahan 3/29 - 4/10/43 CO
LT Harold D. Ashman 4/6 - 4/10/43 EXEC
LTjg Joseph C. Kernell 4/26 - 8/10/ 43 CO
ENS Kenneth W. Prescott 4/26 - 8/10/43 EXEC
ENS V. Purton 5/16-5/19/43 3rd Officer
ENS Kenneth W. Prescott 8/10 - 9/1/43 CO
ENS William Clement Fisher 8/10 - 9/1/43 EXEC
ENS Joseph G. Atkinson 9/1/43 - 1/26/44 CO
ENS Kenneth W. Prescott 9/1 - 9/3/43 (sent to sickbay in Sept., Malaria left boat).
ENS William Clement Fisher 9/1/43 3rd Officer/ 9/3/43-1/26/44 EXEC
LTjg Bayard L. Teigan 1/24- 2/24/44 CO (signed and turned over 61 boat to Standard Landing Craft Unit 14, Commander Naval Base, New Georgia)
ENS Isaac J. Mitchell 1/26/ - 2/24/44 EXEC
Hope this helps, all info is from PT 61 Logbook pages.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jul 28, 2016 - 8:41pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Thanks Ted for the list. My 1/20 scale operating PT-61 (gunboat) is finally nearing completion. I am working on the Bofors (scratch building both) and have the 3D printed 50's for the tubs. Will try to cast those to make the side 50's.
Also working on the figures. Got the CO, XO, and radio man done and still need to make the crew. Using 1/20 scale Tamiya racing crew figures well modified. Thought having the names would be cool.
Runs nic, but a little heavy in the water. I suspect the real 61 did that according to Ken's book.
Lew
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Jul 28, 2016 - 9:59pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Lew;
Do you need names for gunboat crew also?
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jul 29, 2016 - 6:01am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Ted,
That would be great too. When the model is completed I would like to list the names of the entire crew there as well as on a sign next to the model when I display it.
Lew
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Jul 29, 2016 - 9:49am
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Lew;
These are crewmembers during the time the boat was a gunboat. As per the logbook modifications were complete at 1425 on 4 Oct 1943, but she had a number of engine issues and did not go north until 0835 27 Oct 1943 to Lever Harbor, traveling with PT 154, 156, 159, 161, and 162.
PT 61 Atkinson to Teigan Crew: reported/detached
CMOMM HENRY “HANK” B. BLAKE
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jul 29, 2016 - 3:35pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Ted,
Do you or anyone else know what color the PT-61 (and I guess 59 & 60) were painted as gunboats? I heard of a mist green or something like that. I would like to match that color, perhaps to the Fed standard 595 or SAE color chart.
Lew
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Aug 11, 2016 - 9:55pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Uh, oh.
Will
Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Aug 11, 2016 - 10:39pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Lew;
I hope you received my entire crew list, as I now see it doesn't appear above. if not PM me and I will email it directly to you. All the Gunboats were painted Navy Green NG-5(http://www.steelnavy.com/images/chips/USNchip2.jpg)
I personally use Model Master Dark Green FS 34079as base coat mixed with Medium Green FS 34102 to lighten it up a little and weather from there.
Hope this helps.
Take care,
TED
P.S. that "mist green" was actually a "homemade" mixture of green and blue gray, that Joe Kernell and Ken Prescott crew whipped up after bumming paint from the army. Ken said the boat when finished would actually change color depending on the sunlight. So, in 1943, they unknowingly did their own experiment with color shifting paint(known today as Chameleon Paint in the Tuner car world). Wayne Traxel painted his remote control PT 48 this color, as per Ken's mixture formula, and he did say the model appeared to change color in different amounts of sunlight
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Aug 12, 2016 - 6:18am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Ted,
I did not get the email on the enlisted crew. I checked all, including my junk mail. My email on the forum is correct but you can also try: info@lewsmodlboats.org
Thanks for the color information. I guess I might not be too far off with my green. I didn't think it was a light green. It is hard to tell with B&W photos but the boats do look dark in contrast.
Well, back to scratch building the 40's.
Thanks,
Lew
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Aug 12, 2016 - 11:59am
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
[image]http://lewsmodelboats.org/PT-GB-images/Lzpt61-08-12-2016A.JPG[/image]
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Aug 12, 2016 - 12:19pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Lew;
That looks really good.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Aug 12, 2016 - 5:51pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
[b]PT 61 ATKINSON -TEIGAN CREW:[/b]
CMOMM Henry “Hank” B. Blake - 8/26/43
MOMM 2/C Harold N. Gerard - 4/26/43-2/24/44
GM2/C John C. Palmer - 4/26/43
GM3/C Curtis J. Pursch - 4/26/43 - 2/9/44
F 1/C R. E. Sherer - 4/28/43
RM 3/C Ralph H. Strebig - 4/26/43
F 1/C C.P. Wysocki - 5/31/43 - 2/9/44
QM3/C G. Soteropoulos - 6/28/43
TM 1/C Grover T. Scarborourgh - 7/21/43 – 9/2/43
MOMM 1/C Sheldon P. Hurley - 9/9/43
RM1/C L.L. Langley - 9/9/43 – 12/1/43
GM 1/C Daniel B. Shea - 9/9/43- 12/1/43
GM 3/C E.L. Sanko - 9/9/43 – 12/1/43
MOMM 2/C Lloyd Stromert - 9/9/43 – 12/1/43
TM 2/C Eric F. Samauelchek - 9/9/43-2/20/44
S 1/C H. E. Hiles - 9/13/43 - 2/9/44
MOMM 1/C William Johnston (Pt 109 Jfk Crew - 9/15/43
SC 2/C J H Dunlap - 9/9/43
SF 1/C W. R. Fannin - 10/11/43-2/9/44
S 2/C Joseph D. Collins - 12/1/43 – 2/9/44
S 2/C J. P. Collins - 12/1/43 – 2/9/44
RM 3/C N.L. Evans - 12/1/43 – 2/21/44
SC 3/C N.J. Lauria - 2/9/44
RM 2/C R.E. Kammer - 1/28/44
S 1/C Richard E. Widdows - 2/10/44 – 2/24/44
GM 3/C John R. Day - 1/6/44 – 1/25/44
GM 2/C Robert H. Downing - 1/6/44 – 1/25/44
GM 3/C John Ford - 1/6/44 – 1/25/44
S 2/C Jack S. Marshall - 1/6/44 – 1/25/44
QM 2/C R.B. Sullivan - 2/24/44
MOMM 1/C J.P. Buchheit - 1/22/44
MOMM 2/C V.J. Casey - 2/23/44
MOMM 2/C G. E. Walter - 2/23/44
GM2/C E.A. Maier - 2/9/44
[b]PT 61 SKIPPERS AND EXECS:[/b]
(From Earlier post on Page 5)
RON 4
ENS. John Clagett 2/19 -5/18/42 CO(Plankowner, accepted and picked up boat at ELCO).
ENS. James E. Miller 2/19 -5/18/42 EXEC (Plankowner)
LCDR Henry Farrow 5/18 - 6/15/42 CO
LT. Henry Robert Montgomery 5/18 - 5/24/42 EXEC
ENS Joseph C. Kernell 5/18 -6/24/42 CO
ENS James Brent Greene 5/18 -6/24/42 EXEC
While attached to RON 4 PT 61 was a training boat, so Skippers and Exec's and crews would rotate every other day, underway.
RON 2 transferred with crew to on May 7, 1942
RON 3(2) transferred with crew to on July 27, 1942
LT. Hugh M. Robinson 6/24 - 11/42 CO
ENS Joseph C. Kernell 6/24 - 11/42 EXEC
ENS Joseph C. Kernell 11/42- 2/18/42 CO
CMM Arthur Stuffert COB(Chief of the Boat)/EXEC 11/42-2/1/43
ENS. John F. "Jake" Kearny 2/1 - 2/18/43 EXEC
LT Allan H. Harris 2/17 - 3/29/43 CO
LT. Richard D. Mahan 2/17 - 3/29/43 EXEC
LT Richard D. Mahan 3/29 - 4/10/43 CO
LT Harold D. Ashman 4/6 - 4/10/43 EXEC
LTjg Joseph C. Kernell 4/26 - 8/10/ 43 CO
ENS Kenneth W. Prescott 4/26 - 8/10/43 EXEC
ENS V. Purton 5/16-5/19/43 3rd Officer
ENS Kenneth W. Prescott 8/10 - 9/1/43 CO
ENS William Clement Fisher 8/10 - 9/1/43 EXEC
ENS Joseph G. Atkinson 9/1/43 - 1/26/44 CO
ENS Kenneth W. Prescott 9/1 - 9/3/43 (sent to sickbay in Sept., Malaria left boat).
ENS William Clement Fisher 9/1/43 3rd Officer/ 9/3/43-1/26/44 EXEC
LTjg Bayard L. Teigan 1/24- 2/24/44 CO (signed and turned over 61 boat to Standard Landing Craft Unit 14, Commander Naval Base, New Georgia)
ENS Isaac J. Mitchell 1/26/ - 2/24/44 EXEC
Hope this helps, all info is from PT 61 Logbook pages.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Aug 13, 2016 - 9:14am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Ted,
Once again, a big thanks for the info!
Did the PT-61 (as a gunboat) have any notable action? I have a few of the squadron reports where the 61 is listed but no specific details. Only that it went out on patrols.
What I am looking for is a specific date that I can attach to the boat's plaque identifying what mission the boat is on as well as the crew names.
Lew
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Aug 13, 2016 - 3:51pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Lew;
I currently have only 70 pages of PT 61's logbooks(like PT 48, there is probably 8 books). I will send you something when I receive it.
Joe Atkinson only wrote what was needed.
Examples"
Oct 27, 1943:
1750: Underway on patrol in company PT's 161, 160. Officer in command onboard PT 160.
2035: On station for patrol.(the rest of the page is blank, because nothing significant happened. then next page he is back at base.).
Nov. 15. 1943:
1830: Underway on patrol in company with PT 103, PT 65, and LCI 23.
Dec 23, 1943:
1800: Underway on patrol in company with PT 60.
2035: On station.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Aug 13, 2016 - 6:21pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Do any of you know if the added guns (50 cal's and 40mm's) were painted the same color as the gunboats 59, 60, & 61?
Were the Army 40mm's painted or left O.D.?
Lew
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Nov 2, 2016 - 8:11pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Do any of you know if the added guns (50 cal's and 40mm's) were painted the same color as the gunboats 59, 60, & 61?
Were the Army 40mm's painted or left O.D.?
Lew
Lew Zee
Posted By: Lew Zee | Posted on: Nov 2, 2016 - 8:12pm
Total Posts: 141 | Joined: Dec 12, 2013 - 12:04pm
Lew;
It is a safe bet to say they were, since it was SOP to put all three in drydock for hull inspection, this would have been the perfect time to have them repair any hull issues and repaint them. It must be mentioned PT 59 prior to this had that funky WW 1 style partial camo prior to this. All this would have been taken care of during the period they were alongside USS Argonne for conversion.BTW everything in the Black and white photos appears to be a uniform color.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Nov 3, 2016 - 5:01am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am