Patrol Torpedo Boats, the beloved PTs

The PT boats played major roles in the Pacific theater. This fast little crafts kept the Japanese navy busy while the Americans was building a sizable fleet, armed with twin fifties and torpedoes. Most famous of the lot was PT-41, who whisked Gen. McArthur away from the hands of the Japanese in the Philippines.

Impressive little boats.

 

Wasn't JFK a Captain of one of these, i recall reading some bad press about him in some kind of boat like this?

 

Yep, his was the other famous exploit with a PTboat. PT-109, ironic that it's its sinking that made Kennedy a war hero for saving his crew.

Can you spot Kennedy?



Rightmost fellow, they say...

 

I have also read somewhere or seen?? relating a different story to him been a Hero, i need to seek this out.. :fag:

 

4/9 This evening NBC nightly news ran a piece on the restoration of PT 305 by the WW2 Museum in New Orleans. It was sold as surplus then converted to a tour boat then an oyster boat and finally has been restored and is running and look great. Engines were gotten from a farmer in Illinois who had some for tractor pulls !!, hull completely rebuilt as was the superstructure. Radar mast came from Australia, the torpedo sight off Ebay !

It will be on display at the museum but will take people for rides on Lake Pontchartrain for $350. If that sounds high a 30 minute ride in a 2 seat P-51 is $2000 from the Collins Foundation. Restoration and maintenance run very high.

They found a sailor who served on her at 18 in the ETO, very poignant.

So if any one makes in to NOLA tajke a look.

Gaines

 

As mentioned in this thread:
http://www.ww2f.com/threads/pt-boats-in-the-pacific-an-interesting-read-on-hyperwar.49185/
If you are interested in PT boats you should take a look at:
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/CloseQuarters/