Deck guns?

[Lance Dean]

I've written Dan about the Pampanito's deck guns.  In the photos he sent me, it seems there are 2 different deck guns (see the photos below).  I was curious as to if there had been some deck gun swapping going on.

Notice also an attached photo of the deck gun on the Ling.  It looks identical (even in paint scheme) to the deck gun on the Pampanito.  Any ideas or comments?

[JTheotonio]

The turrets are painted different.  Is there any indication of the age of the Pampanito photos?  She was used in the movie Down Periscope and it is possible that they painted the gun all gray then.  Now back to this paint configuration.

Originally when Pampanito was being restored they did not have the proper topside guns, but since found suitable replacements elsewhere.  So maybe that’s the difference in the two photos.  Pampanito was never retro fitted as many WWII boats were and remained pretty much in her WWII configuration. 

[Tom Bowser]

The top photo is the 5", the two lower photos may be the 4 or 6". Not many fleet boats got the 6", reportily the Drum got one for a short time but it is not in the records. The Drum got the 4" in '43 and the five inch in 45.
Tom Bowser

[Lance Dean]

Dan wrote me back.

The images labelled Pampanito1 and Ling are of a 4 inch 50 caliber gun,
which used to be on the Pampanito.

The image labelled Pampanito2 is of a 5 inch 25 caliber gun, which is
currently on the Pampanito.

I believe the 5 inch 25 caliber is the correct gun for the Pampanito, circa
summer 1945.

She also has a twin 20 mm forward of the bridge, and a single 40 mm aft of
the bridge.

I've asked him where the 4 inch 50 caliber gun went to from the Pampanito.

[Lance Dean]

Finally heard from the man, Rich Pekelney:

Folks,

The 4" 50 cal was traded with the Sub Force Museum Groton.  During our 6 war patrols we had a 4" 50 forward, single 20 mm on the cigarette deck, 40 mm aft.  During the summer of 1945 refit, the 4" 50 forward was replaced with a twin twenty, the single twenty with 40 mm, the 40 mm aft stayed and a 5" 25 was placed aft.  The 5" 25 is now forward only because we need to rebuild the foundation aft where our brow currently lands, we also need move the brow.

rich

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[chris]

THERE IS A INSTRUCTION BOOK FOR A 5 IN. GUN MOUNT DATED AUG.22/44
ON E-BAY ITEM #380052057547

[JTheotonio]

yes and I'm bidding on it

[Mark Sarsfield]

If you win the book, would you consider scanning it and turning it into a PDF?

[JTheotonio]

Yes - no problem.

[Mark Sarsfield]

Thanks!   Now, if we can ever just get our hands on one of the 5" guns in San Diego.  We've offered up a 3" sub gun as a trade.

[Paul Farace]

COD was on the gun manual from the gitgo...  we will be making it available to all via the HNSA website.


The 4-in. 50 cal on Pampanito was the deck gun of the TAUTOG!!! The fleet boat with the most sinkings (may not the most tonnage)... it was recovered (traded for) from a private camp ground in Manistee, Michigan by former PAMP manager Russ Booth with the help of SILVERSIDES director Bob Morin. I rode shotgun on the car trip from Muskegon to Manistee... you wouldn't believe how slippery leather seats iare n a Cadillac!
PF

[Lance Dean]

The Terrible T???  The Tambor class Tautog!!  Awesome.  Maybe I'll get to see that gun someday.

[Mark Sarsfield]

I can't find the post where we were talking about this before, but what is the model/type of scope that mounted to the 5" deck guns?  Thanks.