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I'd think that most well-read Packard fans are aware of the fact that Packard built non-magnetic (aluminum, stainless, bronze, etc.) V-8, V-12 and V-16 turbocharged diesel engines between 1952 and 1956 for US Navy use in ocean minesweepers (MSOs) and that these were in service and use as late at the first Persian Gulf war.

Curiousity got the best of me today and I decided to see when the very last of these were finally removed from service and scrapped.

MSO 427 USS Constant - scrapped 2001
MSO 432 USS Dynamic - scrapped 1998
MSO 433 USS Engage - scrapped 2000
MSO 437 USS Enhance - scrapped 2000
MSO 438 USS Esteem - scrapped 2000
MSO 439 USS Excel - scrapped 2000
MSO 440 USS Exploit - scrapped 2000
MSO 441 USS Exultant scrapped 2000
MSO 446 USS Fortify - scrapped 2000
MSO 449 USS Impervious - scrapped 2000

A bit more info can be found atpackardclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=478&p=4782#p4782 and you can use the NavSource link on that site to find more information if you are so inclined.

Neat little bit of Packard history, especially that Packard-powered US Navy vessels were in service until so recently (though Waukesha diesels did replace the original Packard diesels at some point).

Hello OD:

One of those engines resides at the Packard Proving Grounds inside the Lodge Garage. It is NOS, including the wood shipping crate it came in.

I will have to get a photo of it the next time I am out there.

--Roger--

Roger - I've read quite a bit about them but the only photos I've seen are those in the Neal book. I'm sure we'd all appreciate some good photos when you have the opporunity.

I've been trying to find the timeframe when the Waukashau diesels replaced the original Packard powerplants but thus far haven't been able to pin that down. The USS Affray (MSO 511) was the last one built that was equipped with Packard engines and still was running with the Packard powerplants in 1981, but that's the only data I've managed to find thus far.

I wonder what oil filters they used??


(sorry couldn't resist)

To quote a sailor: "We had FOUR of these babies on the Constant, and they were treated like GOLD!"

Kev, it looks like mainstream disc filters, so it will become pretty difficult to check the paper end caps.
Dave, it is the scholarliness of my interests which leads me to the question if you could show us a pic of a rear navy ash tray?



[source:members.cox.net/ic2ddg36/constant2.htm]

Found this video on YouTube, just after the 8 minute mark there is some footage of MSO 433 USS Engage.

Gusha, interesting how photos get around and information changes. That photo you posted from cox.net appears to be the same one that Mr. Neal published in his book, and claims is from his personal collection. However the caption has been altered - the original caption states that it's the 900 hp version of the 1700 (2D-1700) of which only one was ever built.

Mal, thanks for digging up that video - most interesting. Made me remember the loss of the Windjammer Cruises' Fantome in the Caribbean in Hurricane Mitch. A good book on it is around, but Google Fantome is you're curious - sad story.

Dave, the sailor, who believable stated to have served aboard the Constant says in the preamble:

"...Here are more photos of the Constant that I have collected over the years on the Internet. You have probably seen most of them, but I thought it would be nice to put them all on one page. ..."

According to Wikipedia the vessel has "Four Packard ID1700 diesel engines" so either the sailor or Mr. Neal mistooks the engine.

Mal, the style of the training film, its clear pictures and examples and moreover the clarity of both sound and content of explanatory comments reminds me on Flipper.
Even the motion picture technology, steady cinematography, the alternating optimistic and dramatic background music and colors look resp. sound alike.

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dQ_G9mHszBU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Gerd, the 1D-1700 was the production engine, 600 hp and 451 manufactured. The 2D-1700 was a one-off, at 900 hp.

I have found that Wikipedia is notorious for having erroneous information.

(o{I}o)