Let's get this forum up and running with some good posts!!

Any Topic!!!

Cheers

Bob

So, I just bought a search light from a Navy vet who brought it home in 1946, he was stationed at Samar in the P.I. in Nov. 1945, where 121 PT Boats were stripped and burned on the beach. Most were Elco's, the chap can't remember the Boat's number, but the search light is from an 80' mid war Elco of the PT 103 Class. I think the electrical systems were 32 volts, I don't plan to hook it up, but it sure looks great in my Den. The old paint just shouts out WWII Pacific History to me just the way it sits.

Cheers

Bob

Hello again Rev Bob

That searchlight of yours would now be worth a few pennies I'm sure. There was recently, on Ebay, a complete set of Engine manuals for the Packard 4M-2500. I did not see the final selling price but I did notice that they reached £70. They were stated to be in 'as new' condition- but I wonder just how many craft are still powered by these engines- most surviving craft I'm sure would have long been converted to diesel power- for safety reasons as well as Insurance needs etc. On engines in general, I have heard that "Brave Challenger's" owner bought the ex German/Greek Naval vessels "Strahl" and "Pfiel" for engine spares etc, those craft having the Proteus Gas Turbine as main propulsion. Very expensive hobby!!!

Regards 

Hi Ted!!

Well that's where I got my Packard 4m-2500 Manuals, E-bay!! What an Impressive engine, when you look into how those engines where built, it reads like a new 2005 Hemi, and all that was developed in the early 40's. Ted, have you been on the PT 658 site??? They brought back a 78' higgins boat from death's door, and have her powered by three Packards, they had her up to 25 knots, and I read they had Shell or Mobil donating the fuel for the project. I'll find you the link and post it here asap.

I don't know about fuel consumption on gas turbines, but the old packards can burn 120 gallons an hour each at cruising speed, some reports read as much as 525 per hour with all three turning and burning. Hmmmm....let's see 100 octaine aviation fuel at $3.58 a Gallon plus oil, plus spares and up keep......yeh, Millionare's club only need apply!! I think the crew of P-520 did it right with two V12-71 Diesels, two gallons a mile at 12-15 knots.

Here's that link.

http://www.savetheptboatinc.com/ - http://www.savetheptboatinc.com/

Cheers Bob

Hello Bob

Many moons ago I served aboard HMS Gay Dragoon- I still have the cap tally- The fuel consumption was considered to be around 500 galls per hour when flat out, and as you say the cost would be through the roof today. These boats were definately not safe craft to be around. The many precautions that had to be taken reflected their potential to be a floating fire bombs- operating them was extremly hazardous and it was only that most of the crew were very young that they were operational at all I think. I can remember a simple 'blow back' one day, through the carb of the centre engine, which led to a 'Leading Hand' Stoker exiting the engine room, like a scalded cat, and diving over the side. He was 'charged' and we never saw him again-probably 'drafted' elsewhere. At the time we thought that he was just 'chicken', but now I think he was more 'clued up' than the rest of us.(and that was at a time when there were no 'live bullets' flying around) 

I have visited the '658' site Bob and again thanks for letting me know. It seems that maybe the Health & Safety Laws don't have the same impact in the States as they do here- I'm sure that anyone trying to operate high octane fuelled craft here would find it almost impossible to Insure such a craft and, I may be wrong, but most Harbour Masters would not let them land anyway. May be some one could enlighten me

Regards