Though few PTs sank major Japanese ships, they enjoyed more success in other operations, including reconnaissance and search and rescue. The boats often harassed and broke up Japanese barge traffic, earning the nickname “devil boats” among the enemy.

What does PT in PT boat stand for?

Patrol, Torpedo
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.

Did a PT boat ever sink a ship?

Though few PTs sank major Japanese ships, they enjoyed more success in other operations, including reconnaissance and search and rescue. The boats often harassed and broke up Japanese barge traffic, earning the nickname “devil boats” among the enemy.

How fast could a PT boat go?

41 knots
Patrol torpedo boat PT-109

History
United States
Installed power 4,500 horsepower (3,400 kW)
Propulsion 3 × 12-cylinder Packard W-14 M2500 gasoline engines 3 × shafts
Speed 41 knots (76 km/h; 47 mph) maximum (trials)

How much fuel did a PT boat carry?

3,000 gal
PT-class Motor Torpedo Boat

Country United States
Bunkerage 3,000 gal aviation fuel
Speed 39 knots
Crew 14
Armament 1x20mm Oerlikon cannon at stern, 2×12.7mm twin M2 or 2×7.6mm Lewis machine guns on rotating turrets, 2x or 4x21in torpedo tubes, Mark 8 torpedoes

Are any of the PT-109 crew still alive?

Gerard Zinser, the last surviving crewman from the sinking of John F. Kennedy’s PT 109 in the South Pacific in World War II, died on Aug. 21 at a hospital in Orange Park, Fla. He was 82.

What happened PT-109?

On August 1, 1943, a Japanese destroyer rams an American PT (patrol torpedo) boat, No. 109, slicing it in two. The destruction is so massive other American PT boats in the area assume the crew is dead. Two crewmen were, in fact, killed, but 11 survived, including Lt.

What are the different types of PT boats?

In the later years of the war the U.S. Navy standardized the design and construction of the PT boat. Two basic and distinctly different types of PT Boats were built for combat with the predominant PT, the 80-foot long “Elco” boat, and the slightly smaller 78-foot long “Higgins” boat.

Where are PT boats made?

Eventually Elco (Elco Motor Yachts) with a factory located in Bayonne, New Jersey and Higgins Industries in New Orleans, Louisiana were the dominant two builders with Elco producing the largest number. In the later years of the war the U.S. Navy standardized the design and construction of the PT boat.

How old are PT boats?

When World War II began, the small craft that came to be known as the PT boat was less than 40 years old. The origins of the PT boat can be traced back to the American Civil War.

How big is the RC PT boat?

Finished, the RC PT boat will measure about 30 inches long and eight inches wide (760 by 200mm) and weigh about three pounds (1.5kg). The PC PT boat plan is intended for a single Mabuchi RS-540 RC motor, or similar for simplicity and good economy. I see no reason a brushless motor could not be used if you’d want to. 1:24 Semi Scale PT Boat Plan