Re: Packard minesweeper engines

Posted by Steve203 On 2014/8/29 10:58:46

"Thunderbird" designed by George Hacker with twin Allison's.

According to this blurb, "Thunderbird" sounds like the boat I was reading about, though it didn't get the Allisons until decades after the war.

Outfitted originally with twin V-12, 550 hp Kermath engines, the vessel was capable of 60 knots.
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Following the entry of the U.S. into World War II, however, Whittell became afraid that his beloved yacht or its engines might be conscripted into military service, and he hid it away in Lodge's boathouse where it remained throughout the war.
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...the boat was rescued by casino magnate William F. Harrah, who purchased it from Whittell in 1962. ...replaced the original Kermath engines (which when removed had only 83 original hours on them) with two V-12 Allison aircraft engines, each developing 1100 horsepower. http://thunderbirdtahoe.org/yacht-history