I know this is Navy but check it out PT658

[Acaciavet]

I recived this and its so cool,God bless these ww2 Vets .

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7693407296698216570&ei=3mPQSMCOIKO6gAP&cgsC

[The Tinker]

OUTSTANDING!!!

Thanks for posting Acacia...

BRAVO ZULU to the Vets for their work and restoration of history...

BRAVO ZULU to the Men who Volunteerd for the PT Boats...

 

[rustybayonet]

 

[BuoyJumper]

Here's a great pick of the 658 making 33 knots last year.  I just can't
imagine that kind of engine power and armament on a wood boat.  I
can't believe these things actually held together.

[JYFMIII]

 Definitely took some balls to serve on one  Wooden ships, Iron men
(How about updating the design, Use Kevlar for the hull and modern guns. Make a nice little Patrol Cutter)

[BuoyJumper]

Many people in and out of the military are not aware of the fact that the U.S. NAVY had PT boats in Vietnam.  They were called Patrol Torpedo Fast or PTF Nasty Class because of their speed and armament.  They were also known as GHOST BOATS.  There are a few of these that have been restored and here is more about the PTF NASTY.

After November of 1968 all U.S. forces, MACV-SOG included, were prohibited from operating in North Vietnam -- with the single exception of the Maritime Studies Group. SOG's private Navy continued to conduct kidnapping missions, propaganda operations, and the interdiction of NVN's fishing and shipping industries until the organization was disestablished in 1972.

Naval operations in Southeast Asia had been underway since the 1950's, with the U.S. Navy assisting in the mass exodus from North Vietnam at the time of partition. Clearly, the naval elements were the most experienced and successful American covert war assets in Vietnam. Capable of doing 44 knots at 75 tons displacement (70 tons plus half fuel), the PTF Nasties had a cruising range of approximately 450 miles at maximum cruising speed, 500 miles at 35 knots, and 600 miles at 20 knots. In a long range version of the PTF, the approximate cruising ranges expanded to 800 miles (38 knots), 900 miles (35 knots), and 1100 miles (20 knots) .




Here's a couple of links to learn more about these bad boys:
PTF Nasty Class
Nasty-The Inside Story

[Acaciavet]

Outstading site on the PTF,You da Man Bouy.

[vftb]

Good stuff   

[The Tinker]

I never knew PTs were used in Viet Nam...thought they had gone by the wayside in favour of the Swift...GOOD STUFF...Thanks

[pachesma]

"-- with the single exception of the Maritime Studies Group. SOG's private Navy continued to conduct kidnapping missions, propaganda operations, and the interdiction of NVN's fishing and shipping industries until the organization was disestablished in 1972."

Don't believe everything ya read. It was moved in name, agency and geographical operating area and functioned until at least early 1976 with the same style of mission under the same but worded differently operating parameters-JRC

[pachesma]

heres the link to the "658" homepage:

http://www.savetheptboatinc.com/index.htm

That thing is W-A-Y cool, as are the people that took the time to care enough to restore her.

Asa kid I built alot of plastic models and I think one of the 1st ones I did was the "PT109" and it spent alot of time "show-cased" on the top of a little book stand I had in my bedroom.

Here's another link to battleship cove in Fall River Ma:

http://www.battleshipcove.com/pt617.htm

If your ever in the area, absolutely worth it to try and get there-JRC 

[vftb]

I never knew PTs were used in Viet Nam...thought they had gone by the wayside in favour of the Swift...GOOD STUFF...Thanks

I believe I took the top picture in Buoy's post Tink; I got several tours, and these things were impressive  .  BTW, the crews were nobody to **** with either, the two that I got to board were manned by ROK's along with an "adviser" 

BTW, the story I remember is they were called "Ghost Boats" cause they didn't exist.

[The Tinker]

Great Photos VF...

Now that you mention it... I do recall reading about the GHOST BOATS in one of my books...been a few years though... but I do remember the name...

Thanks

[vftb]

Great Photos VF...

Can't take credit for all of them, just the first one    Actually, at the time we were told we couldn't take pictures of them, but I kinda snuck a couple when nobody was looking