PT-59, 60, & 61 - A Trio of PT Gunboats
 
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Uniforms Worn by the Crew While
in Action
What kind of uniform or
dress did the PT Boat crews wear in the South Pacific
war zone? Certainly not the uniforms and gear that
the Italeria "PT Boat Figures" depict (lower left)
for the East Atlantic or the Alaska Squadrons. The
South Pacific war zone for the most part was tropical,
where the vast majority of PT Boats were located. These
figures (lower right) can be the basis for
making crew figures for the tropical heat. As you
can see in the later photos, there was a lack of
uniforms in many cases. These 1/20 scale figures
are out of production but relatively easy to find.
Be
Below are several photos to show how
the crews were dressed while on station and in
action. As you can see they were often
shirtless, and not many wear hats. Maybe a pit
helmut for the heat, a steel "pot" helmut, or for
the radio man an oversized communications helmut
with earphones (bottom).
