Quote:
Originally Posted by nikimcbee
Do you remember what PT-boat he was a skipper of? Is he still around?
If I recall  , the Elco was more manuverable, but the Higgins was faster. Talking to the vets, it's like chochlate ice cream and vanilla, everybody has their favorites.
Glad to see interest increasing in the project   . |
Sorry Nikimcbee, I don't remember which boat numbers.
He was in the Philippines in 44 and 45. He said his first boat was shot out from under him, and his exec was killed, and 3 crewmen were injured by marauding Japanese planes. It was early in the Philippines campaign, and he was suckered into doing daylight patrols (that's how he said it to me) and was told they wouldn't see any enemy planes.
As for the boat numbers, I really can't remember. I have been trying to recollect them. I even called my ex-girlfriend to see if she had any recollection, but it's been almost 14 years ago now. Last time I saw him was 7 or 8 years ago, and he was real close to 90, so I don't know if he is still with us.
Btw, if you've not seen it, they do have a colorized version of They Were Expendable, which is actually done really well. Aside from the ELCO boats in the film, you will see a Huckin's boat. Rather rare as hey didn't get any big construction contracts like Higgins and ELCO. You can tell the Huckins boats in the film, as the charthouse has a flat front with small windows across the top of it. I think 4 of 'em.
http://www.ptboats.org/20-01-05-ptboat-007.html
Did a google search for pt boat images. Some are really good.
http://www.google.com/search?q=pt+bo...D4av6AHV-IGoBA
Pretty cool site, with both Higgins and ELCO boats.
http://www.ptboats.org/index.html
No sound, but decent color footage of PTs on the Hudson
Battle Stations episode: PT Boats