M1A1-1944 Posted July 17, 2010 Share #1 Posted July 17, 2010 I posted this in the New Finds/Acquisitions section if you would like to see all the pictures. When do you ever see one these, let alone completely intact. It is made of a balsa wood ring wraped in canvas that was painted navy grey. The canvas has really only two small holes and some of the tie off ropes have broken but only a few. The brass plate has the US Navy inspection stamping. The wood foor is solid but could use a treatment to preserve it, and the netting which suspends the wood floor is intact and strong. I'll find room to display it. I found a WWII pic of a couple stacked on a ship and read an excerpt from a story of a PT boat shipwreck survivor who spoke of "clinging to that balsa life raft". If anyone has a picture of one being used by shipwreck survivors I would really like to see it. Thanks for looking. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Meatcan Posted July 17, 2010 Share #2 Posted July 17, 2010 that is a very cool and unusual find. Nice! That will make a unique display for sure :thumbsup: Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithL Posted September 3, 2010 Share #3 Posted September 3, 2010 Very cool. Thanks for posting. I wouldn't mind seeing pics of how you displayed it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrissteino1 Posted October 14, 2013 Share #4 Posted October 14, 2013 I posted this in the New Finds/Acquisitions section if you would like to see all the pictures. When do you ever see one these, let alone completely intact. It is made of a balsa wood ring wraped in canvas that was painted navy grey. The canvas has really only two small holes and some of the tie off ropes have broken but only a few. The brass plate has the US Navy inspection stamping. The wood foor is solid but could use a treatment to preserve it, and the netting which suspends the wood floor is intact and strong. I'll find room to display it. I found a WWII pic of a couple stacked on a ship and read an excerpt from a story of a PT boat shipwreck survivor who spoke of "clinging to that balsa life raft". If anyone has a picture of one being used by shipwreck survivors I would really like to see it. Thanks for looking. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrissteino1 Posted October 14, 2013 Share #5 Posted October 14, 2013 Thanks, do you have any more on this? where can I see this one or another? I may make 1 or more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GITom1944 Posted October 14, 2013 Share #6 Posted October 14, 2013 Here is a link with some info about Carley floats. http://blog.charlesmccain.com/2010/10/carley-float-killed-more-men-than-it.html The author apparently takes a dim view of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrissteino1 Posted October 14, 2013 Share #7 Posted October 14, 2013 Thanks, Any around for a restoration? Any condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GITom1944 Posted October 16, 2013 Share #8 Posted October 16, 2013 I have no specific leads for you, but you may want to call naval museums such as http://www.ptboats.org/07-0-05-museum.html. Museums sometimes acquire items surplus to their needs that take up storage space. For instance, I've visited the PT Boat museum maybe half a dozen times over the past 25 years. This summer, I noticed they had a bunch of MK17 .50 cal mounts and SO type radar masts stacked beside PT-617 that I had never seen before. The worst that will happen is they'll ignore you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted October 16, 2013 Share #9 Posted October 16, 2013 They also came in a few different sizes and configurations. If you are trying to match one for the look of a specific ship, then you will need to be sure to find the right one. RC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrissteino1 Posted November 1, 2013 Share #10 Posted November 1, 2013 Here is a raft on the USS Slater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now