F6F Hellcat, SB2C Helldiver, and TBM-1C Avenger aircraft warming up on USS Intrepid's flight deck, 1944

On the flight deck

A Grumman F4F-4 "Wildcat" fighter takes off from USS Yorktown on combat air patrol, on the morning of 4 June 1942. This plane is Number 13 of Fighting Squadron Three, flown by the squadron Executive Officer, Lt(jg) William N. Leonard. Note .50 caliber machine gun at right and mattresses hung on the lifeline for splinter-protection. 

Take off from carrier

Elco (Electric Launch Company) pattern US Navy PT (Patrol Torpedo) boat (as usual) at speed.  The main armament of PT boats consisted of torpedoes and depth charges.  While they did carry guns for defensive purposes, their main defence lay in their speed and manoeuravability.  Armour was nil - the hull construction, like that of the civilian pleasure speed boats upon which their design was based - consisted of a specialised form of plywood.  However, this was found to be very strong, and PT boats proved capable of absorbing a surprising amount of battle damage.

PT boats were widely deployed by the US Navy and Coast Guard, in particular, in the Pacific, but also in the Mediterranean, and out of the south east coast of England.  Best regards, JR. 