|
[ Vietnam ]PTF
HISTORYWhile 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 ConditionsAt 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 GoalOf 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.
|
|
|
|
|