PTF
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PTF
Patrol Torpedo Fast
Displacement: 75 tons
Length: 80.5 feet
Beam: 24.5 feet
Draft: 6.5 feet
Propulsion: 2 Napier Deltic T18-37K turbo-supercharged diesels, 3,100 hp,
2 shafts Speed: 38 kts (1,800 rpm); 44 kts a (2,100 rpm)
Range: 860 miles @ 38 kts, 1,050 miles @ 20 kts on 6,100 gals.
Crew: 2 officer + 18 to 20 enlisted
Weapons: 1 40mm L/60 Bofors, 2 20mm Oerlikon or 2 20mm Mk 16 Mod 5,
1 81mm mortar Mk 2 Mod 1, 1 .50 AN/M-2HB mg.
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Photo: Bill
VanOoyen
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HISTORY
While covert operations throughout Southeast Asia
were nothing new, the personnel of the Maritime Studies Branch and
Maritime Studies Group were clearly the stars of the show from 1964
through 1966. Though this star would be partially eclipsed by the
activities of the Ground and Airborne Studies Groups, the majority of
actions above the 17th parallel were conducted by the U.S. Navy and the
Coastal Security Service.
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.
The most potent of SOG's Maritime resources were
the PTFs, the so called "Nasty" Class motor gunboats built by
Batservice Verft A/S in Mandal, Norway. Designed by Norwegian Naval
Architect Jan H. Linge, the first PTF's were completed in 1957, and
subsequently entered service with the Royal Norwegian Navy, U.S. Navy, and
West German Navy.
The PTF could be configured in one of two ways.
The original configuration was that of a Motor Torpedo Boat, with easy
conversion to a Motor Gun Boat or minelayer with the addition of mine
rails.
Capable of doing 44 knots at 75 tons displacement
(70 tons plus half fuel), the boat 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) .
In all, Batservice Verft A/S built 16 PTF's for
MACV-SOG. Unable to keep up with increased U.S. demands for more of the
craft, the contract was let to Trumpy Boat Works in Annapolis, Maryland.
[ The PTF -- MACV-SOG's Fast Patrol Boat by Charles F. Reske]
Present Conditions
At present there is only one PTF-Nasty restored
for view. That is located at Buffalo & Erie County Navel &
Military Park. ( Check out www.buffalonavalpark.org
) This huge park is home for the guided missile cruiser, USS Little Rock,
CLG-4, the destroyer USS The Sullivans, DD-537, submarine USS Croaker,
SSK-246 and PTF-17.......
Our Goal
Of the 9 remaining boats, we hope to raise the
necessary money to purchase PTF-17 since it is the most complete. It
should be ready to start and run when set into the water for a test run.
The balance of the boats could be used as parts and materials to keep one
or two of the boats operational. Complete information on the PTF is found
at www.ptfnasty.com
Follow the PTF-3
Restoration project by the BSA TROOP 544 in Orange City
Florida.
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