Pt-34 Squadron 3

[Harpy]

Ordered the WEM PT-34 and was wondering if anyone knew or would speculate the scheme she wore or at her sinking. It wore the Navy Gray early and was painted Measure 1 during the transport to the Philippines and then it was repainted green. I thought I read they stole the green paint.
I may just go with the early scheme of Gray 5 and Dark 5D for the decks. Also what the bottoms were painted Copperoyd. What color is that, copper?

[alross2]

Can't believe everything you read... When RON 3 was shipped to the Philippines, they were painted what appears to be overall 5-D. My Dad was the quartermaster (boat driver) on the 34 boat. He told me that when the war started, they acquired some green paint and sloshed it on with mops. They also removed the turret domes, as they fogged up when the guns were fired. I have photos of the boats in the 5/5D scheme as delivered and 5D on the tanker being shipped. Can upload a couple if you like. I also drew the plans from which the kit was developed.

Coperoyd (manufacturer's spelling) was a dark brownish red color. I normally use FLOQUIL Oxide Red to simulate it.

Al Ross

[Harpy]

Thanks Al, that was very interesting information. Do you know if they operated in theater under the the 5-D scheme very long before they switched over to the green? Also, any idea if they mounted the two Lewis guns on the front? I have seen a picture of them on the tanker, but only 1 shot. I would love to see the plans too.
I have some family that transplanted to Maine. My mom is in Phillips, my sister Stratton, and her husband's family Bangor. Anyway thanks again for the info.

[alross2]

Thanks Al, that was very interesting information. Do you know if they operated in theater under the the 5-D scheme very long before they switched over to the green? Also, any idea if they mounted the two Lewis guns on the front? I have seen a picture of them on the tanker, but only 1 shot. I would love to see the plans too.

They arrived in September and didn't paint until December. The Lewis guns were retained. In action, Dad manned the starboard Lewis and shot up one of the aircraft that strafed them on 9APR42, the day the 34 was lost.

I'll put up some photos and stuff tonight when I get home (Bangor).

Al

[alross2]

[Rotorhead]

As a lurker...............thanks for posting those Al.

Regards
Steve

[alross2]

[Harpy]

Al,

Thank you so much for posting these I had never seen the second transport picture. Think I'll do the 5D scheme. They look pretty glossy, but I wonder if they are wet from rain. Was the emblem on the side of the 41 boat a unit emblem that all the boats would have carried? Again thanks a lot -HUGE- help.

[alross2]

They look pretty glossy, but I wonder if they are wet from rain. Was the emblem on the side of the 41 boat a unit emblem that all the boats would have carried?

Yup, they were wet. I've seen color movies of the 70' boats in the same scheme and the paint did have a slight sheen to it. The emblem is the standard PT emblem of a mosquito carrying a torpedo. It was developed by Disney. I can scan one in if you need it.

Hi Steve.

Al

[Harpy]

Al, that would be great. That was the last piece to the puzzle.

[davidwaples]

They sure are pretty Al! Thanks for sharing. I would love to see this in a larger scale one of these days.
Dave

[Russ2146]

Al,

Its me, the cargo guy, again.

It just struck me, in the pictures of the 34 boat on deck, that was being transported on a tanker, which has a lot of hose and pipes on deck. The steel legs of the transport frame raise the assembly above the deck. In contrast, you have the 109 boat photos, which I believe have the wood transport cradle on the deck of a cargo ship (If I recall correctly), which does not have the piping and hoses to contend with, so the deck cargo can be blocked and braced normally.

So, possibly, the selection of transport was based on the type of ship to be used to transport it.

Just a thought.

[alross2]