Patrol Torpedo Boat “Mosquito Fleet”
PT Boat
Top Speed: Fast
Weapon: Vulcan Cannon
Rate of Fire: Very fast
Cargo: Up to six units
Nickname:
The Japanese called them “the mosquito fleet” and “devil boats” during Human’s WW ll. So the named fit the size. These pint-sized warriors buzzed around enemy ships, causing annoyance and surprise. Very hard to target.
Role:
In the tiny world of plastic naval warfare, the PT boat is the N°1 swift and daring defender of the seas. These little vessels patrol the vast Plastic World seas, bathtubs, kitchen sinks, canvas pools and the puddles after a rainstorm.
Design:
Sleek and streamlined, the PT boat is fast and simple practical design, like a bathtub racer on steroids. Its hull slices through the water, leaving a wake of excitement.
Armament:
- Torpedoes: The standard PT boat carries four 3-inch Mark 8 torpedoes—each with a 466-pound TNT warhead. These torpedoes have a range of 16,000 yards (that’s like crossing the living room twice) at a blistering 36 knots (67 km/h).
- Machine Guns: Perched on the deck, you’ll find twin .50 Browning heavy machine guns. They’re ready to fend off plastic seagulls and rival PT boats.
- Bonus Cannon: Some PT boats even sport a 2 mm Oerlikon cannon for that extra punch. It’s like having a water balloon launcher with attitude.
Engines:
Propelled by a trio of Packard 4M-2500 (and later 5M-2500) supercharged, gasoline-fueled, liquid-cooled V-12 marine engines. These engines hum like tiny race cars.
Historical Significance:
- PT boats engaged in daring missions, torpedoing enemy warships, transports, tankers, and even unsuspecting rubber ducks.
- Some PT boats in the human realm were converted into gunboats, taking on armored barges used by the Japanese for inter-island transport.
- In the Philippines, they were affectionately known as “Q-boats.”
- Their legacy lives on—they’re like the James Bonds of the plastic navy, minus the tuxedos and martinis.
- Battle Cry: When the PT boats set sail, their plastic captains shout, “Full speed ahead! And don’t forget the bubble bath!”
Sources for this article:
PT boat – Wikipedia
Motor Torpedo Boat Photo Archive – NavSource
Higgins PT Boat (Patrol Torpedo) – Military Factory