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Hello Gerd:

That is not a father & son team as the Dutch reported. Rather it is Gar Wood behind the wheel and his throttleman/mechanic Orlin Johnson is beside him.

Many years ago Packards North Texas had an activity at one of the area lakes. This 1/2 replica PT was on display.

David Grubbs maybe you can remember the event. Maybe you will also recognize this other photo from a Salado long ago.

And

For the man who started this thread, a steam engine going through Fort Worth sometime in the 70's or early 80's. could have been for the 1976 events. Our local public television has train travel on tonight.

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Roger, thanks for the correction.

The drawing reveals why a PT-Boat had to be fast - whatever it costs.

- Intended to search for the David vs. Goliath situation, the element of surprise was the only chance.
- To succesfully use a short range torpedo you have to be fast. Very, very fast.
- A wooden hull helps against radar but one hit is enough to sink it. Even a hand gun perforates the planks.

The Packard engines made that this boat was faster than its own torpedos!

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I reckon 7 gallons per mile cruising and 18 gallons per mile WOT.

I have always thought of the PT boats and the Canadian/British MTBs as the fighter planes of the sea. Brave and daring crews taking on targets much larger and deadlier than their boats. A good and exciting summertime read is: Champagne Navy - Canada's Small Boat Raiders of the Second World War by Brian Nolan and Brian Jeffrey Street. The father of a regular poster here was a crew member on one of the MTBs mentioned in the book. Enjoy.

(o{}o)

JW, makes a good point.

On the anniversary of D-Day, we should always remember the sacrifices made by those who fought for us.

I have been following this thread closely on my iPad while I am here in Ireland. My father was a crew member on Royal Canadian Navy MTB 735 during World War 2. There were two types with the larger versions like my dad's ship being powered by 4 Packard marine engines.The book John mentioned is a must read for anyone interested in the exploits of these gallant seamen fighting in the English Channel and the Scheldt Estuary. My father's ship was in the D Day invasion 69 years ago today protecting the troop carriers from the German Navy E boats as they made their way across the channel.

I thought this might be of interest to some of you. These weekend my father, Philip Adair, will be a guest at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum, MAAM, a gathering of War Birds.

I figured since he is also presenting on Packard war engines at the Warren Museum in July, this might be of interest to some.

MAAM

Also of interest may be a P40 N freshly restored in my father's paint scheme:

Lulu Belle

http://youtu.be/m63lZWXepcY" rel="noopener external" title="">Lulu Belle

Lulu Belle

Had to split the thread for some reason

And some interviews from the pilot, Phil Adair

Philip Adair Memorable Mission

http://youtu.be/jDpLfQ9DE_Y" rel="noopener external" title="">Another Mission

About Death Heads

And footage of the original

Actual footage #44 Lulu Belle

Sorry for all of the links, but, some of you guys might know my dad. We were blown away to find out Hanger 11 repainted their P40 into the Burma Banshee paint scheme. It was unveiled last Monday. Dad has flown the P51 Mustang with the Merlin Engines and is invited to speak about them occasionally.

If your in Fredericksburg Texas make sure to visit the Nimitz museum.

www.pacificwarmuseum.org