...and 'Hogan's Goat', PT-366     Model of PT-366 with Pacific Theater camouflage shows the boat as it was configured while stationed at PT Base 17, Bobon Point, Samar, Philippines in June 1945. The model was commissioned by Paul N. Becka, Radarman 3rd Class who served during the Philippine Liberation, September - October 1945   Matt Kudla manning the 37mm mount     Placed in service 25 June 1943 and assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron EIGHTEEN (MTBRon 18) under the command of Lt. Comdr. Henry M. S. Swift, USNR   MTBRon 18, assigned to the Southwest Pacific, had action at Dreger Harbor, Aitape, Hollandia, Wakde, and Mios Woendi, in New Guinea; at Manus in the Admiralties; and at Morotai in the Halmaheras.   It also based for a time at Kana Kopa, New Guinea, and in San Pedro Bay in the Philippines, but had no action from these bases. The squadron then was reassigned to Southwest Pacific and was augmented by PT's 362 - 367, 80-foot boats fabricated by Elco and assembled at the Harbor Boat Building Co., Terminal Island, Calif. When completed these boats were identical with the 80-foot Elco model    

I am beginning to hunt for a 1903A4. I have found one that appears to be a CMP July 1999 Lottery/Auction example that has the original CMP letter from 7/19/99. It lists the rifle as a 1903A4 Condition A. It appears to be arsenal refurbished at Anniston as it has an AN stamped on the buttstock. The original RA and boxed FJA cartouches are present but very faint and the scant stock shows sanding around the grip. My question is did the large majority of CMP auctioned/lottery rifles experience similar arsenal refurbishment and service grade like ratings? Or were there also correct/collector grade rifles that came through the DCM/CMP if one is patient enough to find one?

Thanks. I am fortunate to be able to add this to my collection.

Nice wing. I have not seen a Nanco marked badge with closed flukes. I have two Robbins Aviator wing badges that are closed flukes and they are the only other ones I have seen previously. One is vaulted like yours and the other is the only flat Robbins I have ever seen. I’ll post pics later. Your badge is interesting, as it has the fine lines the shield, which indicates an earlier wing. The die is thought to have been reworked in the early 1930 due to wear, which is easy to spot, as it has much heavier horizontal lines in the shield. Cool find! John

...and now for something completely different   Origin and Concept: Also referred to as the "multiple bazooka rocket launcher," the system was engineered to give lightly armed patrol craft a heavy punch. By bundling six 2.36-inch tubes, a gunner could unleash a barrage of shaped-charge rockets in seconds to overwhelm armored targets.   Deployment: Most notably used in the Pacific Theater, these mounts were frequently fitted on the cabin roofs or decks of Elco and Higgins 77-foot and 80-foot PT boats.       A 2.36" sextubal Bazooka rocket launcher mounted abaft the mast of PT-354 at Coco Solo in the Canal Zone, 17 December 1943  Photo from U.S. Small Combatants: An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman   Motor Torpedo Boat PT-354 80' Elco Motor Torpedo Boat: Completed 6 July 1943 and placed in service with Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron TWENTY FIVE (PTRon 25) under the command of LT Daniel S. Bauchman, Jr., USN   PTRon 25, assigned to the Southwest Pacific, had action at Dreger Harbor, Mios Woendi, and Amsterdam Island in New Guinea; Rein Bay and Talasea in New Britain; Mindoro and Ormoc in the Philippines; and Morotai in theHalmaheras. It also based for a time at Kana Kopa, New Guinea, and San Pedro Bay in the Philippines, but had no action from these bases The "Cruncher", ex- "Lip & Tuck", ex-"Liberty Hound" was placed out of service 9 November 1945 navsource.net

John 11:26.   Gone too soon.   Memorial service and celebration of life on 7/24/26.    San Diego Union- Trib.      

Also, if you check the risers on the parachute, you’ll see that they merge higher up. This is a detail that’s usually hard to replicate from the originals where the risers go all the way down to the bottom.

Robin, Thank you!    I like yours with the unit marks on it. Very cool!  Were those engraved for presentation or in the field?   Thanks

A famous and well known photograph... " A PT marksman provides a striking camera study as he draws a bead with his 50 caliber machine gun on his boat off New Guinea." July 1943. 80-G-53871

I have 17 of these NOS USGI Variable Density Goggles Complete Kit 74-G-79-40 New Old Stock Unissued for sale. NEW OLD STOCK.   .Genuine U.S. Military New Old Stock (NOS) Variable Density Goggle Kit. This kit is unissued and retains the original factory wrapping, packing paper, instruction sheet, and original metal storage tin. The spare red plastic visors remain sealed in their original envelopes. Due to age, the plastic visors have become brittle and have cracked/shattered inside the unopened envelopes, which is common with vintage plastic components. The envelopes have never been opened. The goggles themselves remain factory wrapped and untouched. Excellent collector-grade military surplus.