Feb 22, 2014 when many people think of torpedo boats, also known as pt boats they may think of the u. Jun 24, 20 set the pt boat speed equal to the torpedo speed. German navy torpedo boats undertaken against the forces of the soviet union. Motor torpedo boat 109 pt 109 was laid down 4 march 1942 by the elco works naval division of the electric boat company in bayonne, new jersey. Folks, detail specifications for building motor torpedo boats, march 1944, provides the builders specifications for pt 565624. Sep 17, 2014 join motor torpedo boat 102 as we take a guided tour aboard this historic craft and follow her as she makes her way from lowestoft to london and back.
This book examines the design and development of these unique craft. Navys patrol torpedo or pt boat crews became famous. Steer away from the torpedo immediately after launch. It was small, fast, and inexpensive to build, valued for its maneuverability and speed but hampered at the beginning of the war by. Pt patrol, torpedo boats were small, fast, and expendable vessels for short range oceanic scouting, armed with torpedoes and machine guns for cutting enemy supply lines and harassing enemy forces. A pt boat was a motor torpedo boat used by the united states navy in world war ii. The genuine pt boat this is pt728, a 66 12 yearold restored patrol torpedo boat from world war ii. Pt boats were a variety of torpedoarmed fast attack craft used by the united states navy in world war ii to attack larger surface ships. Us navy commenced the development of the patrol torpedo or pt boa. Pt 109 was a pt boat patrol torpedo boat last commanded by lieutenant junior grade john f.
Aiming torpedoes from a pt boat math encounters blog. Patrol torpedo or pt boats captured the publics imagination during wwii due to the daring exploits of their crews. The genuine pt boat this is pt 728, a 66 12 yearold restored patrol torpedo boat from world war ii. Kennedys actions to save his surviving crew after the sinking of the pt 109 made him a war hero, which proved helpful in his political career. The boat was laid down as motor boat submarine chaser ptc14, but was reclassified as pt34 prior to its launch on.
However, the usn held two major designs as their standard pt boat and this included the elco 80footer and the higgins 78foot. These were fast torpedo firing craft developed by the german navy, capable of speeds in excess of fortyfive knots, armed with 20mm cannon and ninety five feet in length, eboats were a very formidable escort for pt boats to contend with. This work, his sixth, is a logical progression of his series of books on minor combatants of world war ii. Built not of plywood, as many believe, but rather of mahogany planks, and powered by a trio of packard marine engines, these vessels operated in every theater, often facing opponents many times their size. The magnificent, original photographs and descriptive reporting of war correspondent hugo burger combine to accurately portray the bold raids of the powerful, german navy torpedo boats undertaken against the forces of the soviet union. Looks at all of the pt boat configurations used by the u. My thanks to many people for their input and especially beaty lay and roy copeland for their input on torpedo s and to all the crews and people involved in all other pt boat websites, books, and the dedicated ex crewmembers for having such a rich selection of photos and memorabilia. My thanks to many people for their input and especially beaty lay and roy copeland for their input on torpedos and to all the crews and people involved in all other ptboat websites, books, and the dedicated ex crewmembers for having such a rich selection of photos and memorabilia. Sep 24, 2012 todays post is written by archivist dr. Pt30 was a pt20class motor torpedo boat of the united states navy american that served. The capitalised term is generally used for the royal navy rn boats and abbreviated to mtb. The us navys fast attack patrol torpedo boats in world war ii david doyle looks at all of the pt boat configurations used by the u. Pt boat elco 80 footclass us navy 1794now pt 109 ltjg john f. This is the story of four motor torpedo boat pt boat officers told in their own voices and from their own experiences, only a short while after the war ended.
Building the pt boats and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Kempner and a temporary crew of five sailors came aboard and unceremoniously took posession of the new. You can now ride on the fastest torpedo boat from world war ii. Hunters in the shallows is the first book to examine the development and role of the small torpedo boat in u. Made famous by kennedys pt109 service in wwii, these boats were high powered 3 packard v12s. From the attack on the confederate ram albermarle in 1864, to pt operations in wwii this great book examines the development and role of the small torpedo. I see slight criticism of some pt boat books on other websites that i think are the best books that i have, so i guess what you may be looking for depends on your interests and whether you are looking for riveting stories or research on the people, the companies, the armament, general world war ii events, or the boats themselves, or indeed in my case mostly just. Kennedy, president of the united states, captain of patrol torpedo boat, pt109, during wwii, south pacific theater, navy. They currently list for sale the world war ii pt728, the only pt boat in existence licensed by the u. Jones this book, published by nimble books, llc was written by the man who is currently the president of pt boats, inc. During world war ii the us navy boats were usually called by their hull classification symbol of pt patrol torpedo, and are covered under pt boat although the class type was still motor torpedo boat. Naval historical center faq usn us navy pt boat lists. The complete history of the building of pt boats for the u. The original preworld war i torpedo boats were designed with displacement hulls.
The engines of a pt boat must be kept in good condition regardless of. One hundred sixtytwo fullpage illustrations, selected by frank j. Motor torpedo boat 109 pt109 was laid down 4 march 1942 by the elco works naval division of the electric boat company in bayonne, new jersey. Jun 14, 2019 the american side of the pt boat patrol torpedo wars of world war 2 are primarily remembered through the exploits of the men governing their elco pt systems against the vessels of the mighty japanese navy. Small in size, lightly armed and relatively cheap when compared to other combat vessels, the patrol boats sunk or damaged several japanese warships including a battleship, several cruisers, two submarines and over 15 destroyers. Pt boat high quality content by wikipedia articles pt boats were a variety of motor torpedo boat hull classification symbol pt, for patrol torpedo, a small, fast vessel used by the united states navy in world war ii to attack larger surface ships. When they made the choice for pt service they were assigned to melville. It was small, fast, and inexpensive to build, valued for its maneuverability and speed but hampered at the beginning of the war by ineffective torpedoes, limited armament, and comparatively fragile construction that limited some of the variants to coastal waters. Higgins pt boat patrol torpedo patrol boat motor torpedo boat.
Built by the electric boat company, the motor torpedo boat or pt was a potent, versatile and highly effective weapon. Sailors went through basic training at various locations around the country. A modern torpedo is an underwater ranged weapon launched above or below the water surface, selfpropelled towards a target, and with an explosive warhead designed to detonate either on contact with or in proximity to the target historically, it was called an automotive, automobile, locomotive or fish torpedo. These men were singled out to return to america by general macarthur. Garth connelly is a naval historian who has written books on pt boats, motor torpedo boats, schnellboote and onehundredten foot wooden hull sub chasers. Motor torpedo boat development began in the early 1900s, and the vessels. You can now ride the fastest torpedo boat from world war ii. The training center for all pt sailors was located in melville, rhode island. Pt434, an american built british vosper design 70foot motor torpedo boat shortly after completion at the herreshoff manufacturing company in. Museum grade model boat from from model ship master. Know your pt boat, july 1945, was created very near the end of ww ii to use as an introduction to pt boats for crews in training. The mining of enemy harbors, the providing of a safe escort for german convoys, the sweeping of enemy minefields, and other dangerous duties which require.
The following pitch and diameter information is based on pt historian andy smalls research. Motor torpedo boat 102 mtb 102 historical tour and sea. Ms22 and its crew after the mission vs hms manchester if i can answer for italy and mediterranean, italian pt boat,ms 22, sunk the british cruiser manchester 11. Patrol torpedo boats in world war ii, 19391945 by t. This was the first instance in history when a torpedo craft sank its targets without also sinking. Pt boats in the united states navy 99 of the 531 pt boats that served during world war ii were lost to various. Pt boats torpedo boats are some of the most popular subjects when it comes to boat models. Pt is the us hull classification symbol for patrol torpedo. Sep 23, 2008 cobi small army patrol torpedo boat pt 305.
Join motor torpedo boat 102 as we take a guided tour aboard this historic craft and follow her as she makes her way from lowestoft to london and back. From early examples, to later fast torpedo boats, a very interesting book on the russian navy. Superior hollow hull construction very important, weighing less than 10 lbs a solid hull of this model would be over 20 lbs which feels like a heavy toy rather than an art piece. The excellent 20page, 52step instruction booklet offers two build options. The american side of the pt boat patrol torpedo wars of world war 2 are primarily remembered through the exploits of the men governing their elco pt systems against the vessels of the mighty japanese navy. Pt 215, a higgins 78footer of motor torpedo boat squadron 15 mtbron 15, tied up in blue grotto, capri, italy in mar 1944. The motor torpedo boat t56 was built in 1957 in a dockyard in stockholm. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Specifications, 1942 elco 80 patrol torpedo pt boat manufacturer elco naval division of the electric boat company, bayonne, new jersey. Pt215, a higgins 78footer of motor torpedo boat squadron 15 mtbron 15, tied up in blue grotto, capri, italy in mar 1944.
This need for small, fast, versatile, strongly armed vessels does not wane. Pt boat world presents historical information about the pt boat along with tips and techniques for modelling world war ii naval craft. Ww2 navy eboat schnellboot photo book 1943 patrol pt boat. Pt boats filled an important need in world war ii in shallow waters, complementing the achievements of greater ships in greater seass. After several days of exhaustive trial runs, the electric boat company transferred custody of pt 109 to the united states navy on july 10, 1942. These are pictures of the vessel and other craft from that era. It is a really tight knit little floating community where the oldest was 21. The us navys fast attack patrol torpedo boats in world war ii.
Sep 23, 2010 a short summery with adventures from this summer with the swedish motor torpedo boat t56. The seventh 40ton motor torpedo boat mtb built there, she was launched on 20 june, delivered to the navy on 10 july 1942, and fitted out in the new york naval shipyard at brooklyn. They were the all that was left of a squadron that sailed for the philippines. Folks, know your pt boat, july 1945, was created very near the end of ww ii to use as an introduction to pt boats for crews in training. His actions to save his surviving crew after the sinking of pt 109 made him a war hero. Fortythree pt squadrons, each with 12 boats were formed during world war ii by the u. That is fine, but hardly complete, for there was another unit of torpedo boats in the philippines.
A newlyminted graduate of the navys new motor torpedo boat training center named ensign jack j. Below is a sampling of books if you want to learn more about the patrol torpedo boats from world war two. My thanks to many people for their input and especially beaty lay and roy copeland for their input on torpedo s and to all the crews and people involved in all other ptboat websites, books, and the dedicated ex crewmembers for having such a rich selection of photos and memorabilia. A pt boat short for patrol torpedo boat was a motor torpedo boat used by the united states navy in world war ii. Motor torpedo boat elco 80ftclass fast attack crafts. On this day in 1943, a japanese destroyer rams an american pt patrol torpedo boat, no. Navys motor torpedo boat squadron three, whose story was told in the book and later a movie, they were expendable.
Garth connelly is now available for purchase on paperback. Kennedy later president of the united states in the pacific theater during world war ii. A pt boat short for patrol torpedo boat was a torpedoarmed fast attack craft used by the united states navy in world war ii. The incident may have also contributed to kennedys long. The pt boat squadrons were nicknamed the mosquito fleet. Numerous details about pt boats appear in the manual that provide insight to both the technology and the life aboard pt boats. His research shows that elco 80 boats were equipped with 28 diameter propellers until pt. The term torpedo was originally employed for a variety. Motor torpedo boat development began in the early 1900s and the vessels were first put into active service during world war i. May 06, 2019 ms22 and its crew after the mission vs hms manchester if i can answer for italy and mediterranean, italian pt boat,ms 22, sunk the british cruiser manchester 11. This book is about a pt boat in the pacific during wwii. From a packard engine 4m2500 manual, specifications and performance propellers manufacturer. As a former pt boat captain, he was naturally interested in the german counterpart so he made a point of carefully inspecting an eboat at bremen.
This is a resource site by jeff davidson for the building details of an elco 80 world war ii motor torpedo boat mtb patrol torpedo pt boat with leanings towards a 109 to 8 boat operating in the pacific theater. Hunters in the shallows examines the development of the small torpedo boat in u. On 26 may 1877, during the romanian war of independence, the romanian spar torpedo boat randunica attacked and sank the ottoman river monitor seyfi. Mtbstc motor torpedo boat squadrons training center by charles b. The dimensional images found here are to help modelers create an accurate tribute to the boats and the men who sometimes gave. Patrol torpedo boat pt34 was a pt20class motor torpedo boat of the united states navy, built by the electric launch company of bayonne, new jersey. Ww2 navy eboat schnellboot photo book 1943 patrol pt boat kriegsmarine finland. Navy during world war ii through rare archival photos, augmented by images of the few remaining vessels of the type. Pt 434, an american built british vosper design 70foot motor torpedo boat shortly after completion at the herreshoff manufacturing company in bristol, rhode island, united states, mar 1944. Ptboats torpedo boats are some of the most popular subjects when it comes to boat models. Thanks to the 1963 movie pt 109, adapted from the 1961 book pt 109.
At the end of the book he quoted a poem by signalman andrew cleeland. Pt 728, world war ii patrol torpedo boat, for sale in. However, it was not until the late 1930s that the us navy commenced the development of their patrol torpedo or pt boat program. A short summery with adventures from this summer with the swedish motor torpedo boat t56. This booklet was created months before the end of a deadly, bitterly fought war with imperial japan. I chose the latter with red oxide below the waterline tempered with a bit. Kelly, a navy pt boat commander whose exploits in world war ii were chronicled in the bestselling book they were expendable and the film of the same name, died of pneumonia monday. When one thinks about president kennedys naval career in world war ii, what most often comes to mind is his command of motor torpedo boat pt109. The 84 officers and enlisted men of the pt boat squadron went to war against the japanese pacific forces. Kennedy, future united states president, in the pacific theater during world war ii. Ive seen so many variations on this all over the place, in books, on the web, at battleship cove here in ma where they have a higgins and an elco chilling in a garage for all to see, and im trying to figure out what my options are. The organization of the motor torpedo boat squadron is similar to that of an aircraft. Apr 01, 2012 they currently list for sale the world war ii pt 728, the only pt boat in existence licensed by the u.
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