SwiftVets.com

Hans Burkhardt · Ensign Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Posts: 53 Location: USA

For the umpteenth time I heard more sound bytes from Kerry's 1971 speach on a local radio program this morning. One of Kerry's very specific statements (paraphrased) is that the only anti-personnel weapons that they were issued were 50 callibers. Fast forward to Kerry's "Rambo" picture in full bush gear; he's holding the smallest 50 I've ever seen.

This guys credibility can be killed with a thousand little "exagerations".

Scott · Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 8:39 pm Post subject:

Funny. In addition to their .50 caliber weapons, Swift boats carried an M-60. That's a .30 caliber, not .50 caliber machine gun.

Another "nuance"? Rolling Eyes

_________________
Bye bye, Boston Straggler!

gkdechow · Ensign Joined: 13 Aug 2004 Posts: 67 Location: Kansas City

I hope for Terassa's sake the size of his .50 cal doesn't reflect anything about any of his anatomy

carpro · Admin Joined: 10 May 2004 Posts: 1176 Location: Texas

Kerry, while in Nam, owned the only 50 Cal. M-16 in existence. Wink

_________________
"If he believes his 1971 indictment of his country and his fellow veterans was true, then he couldn't possibly be proud of his Vietnam service."

AF366TFW · Ensign Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 69 Location: Florida

Scott, I bow to your expertise. HOWEVER! The specs for some of the armament on the PCF's are listed as:

Twin .50-caliber Browning machine guns (heavy barrels), installed in a Mark 17/Mod 1 manually operated,
twin-scarf-ring mount. Capable of firing at 450-550 rounds per minute. Equipped with ammo trays with 500
to 600 rounds per gun. The machine guns were located on the boat centerline, in a guntub, mounted on top
of the pilothouse. The maximum range was in excess of 7,000 yards. The effective accuracy decreased
rapidly in excess of 2,000 yards, but effectiveness at 1000 yards and under was excellent. Typical patrol
ammunition load carried was between 20,000 to 25,000 rounds.
81mm Mark 2/Mod 0, trigger fired naval mortar with a .50-caliber Browning machine gun (heavy barrel)
fixed atop it. The machine gun was equipped with an ammunition tray/can containing 100 to 300 rounds.
The combined weapon mounted to a centerline tripod on the fantail with a two way swivel.

Is that incorrect?????
_________________
Aim High! The wife hates cleaning the floor!

Scott · Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2004 1:35 am Post subject:

AF366TFW,

I was referencing John O'Neill's Unfit for Command, p. 84:

AF366TFW · Ensign Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 69 Location: Florida

Ok, Scott, mine is the http://pcf45.com website. All the specs for the PCFs are there. Good reference site.
_________________
Aim High! The wife hates cleaning the floor!

Scott · Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2004 2:29 am Post subject:

From pcf45.com:

AF366TFW · Ensign Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 69 Location: Florida

I'll concur with that on the M-60. The Marines and SF guys were pretty fond of it.
_________________
Aim High! The wife hates cleaning the floor!

Scott · Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2004 2:38 am Post subject:

_________________
Bye bye, Boston Straggler!