USS Tucumcari (PGH-2)
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| Aurora ship model box art | |
| Career United States | Image:US Naval Jack.svg
<tr valign=top><td>Ordered:</td><td>1966</td></tr> |
|---|---|
| Laid down: | 1968 |
| Launched: | Unknown
<tr valign=top><td>Decommissioned:</td><td>1972</td></tr><tr valign=top><td>In service:</td><td>1968</td></tr><tr valign=top><td>Out of service:</td><td>1972</td></tr> |
| Status: | ran aground on reef in Puerto Rico
<tr valign=top><td>Homeport:</td><td>DaNang, Europe, Atlantic Command</td></tr> |
| General Characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 57 tons (full load, same as PT-109) |
| Length: | 72 feet (80 feet for PT-109) |
| Beam: | 35.3 feet
<tr valign=top><td>Draft:</td><td>4.5 ft</td></tr><tr valign=top><td>Propulsion:</td><td>proteus gas turbine driving water jets</td></tr> |
| Speed: | over 40 knots (similar to PT-109) |
| Complement: | 1 officers, 12 enlisted men (design)
<tr valign=top><td>Armament:</td><td>deck gun forward, machine guns behind bridge</td></tr><tr valign=top><td>Honours and awards:</td><td>basis for Pegasus class and Jetfoil</td></tr> |
USS Tucumcari (PGH-2) was a Boeing-built hydrofoil. It was the basis for the technology used in the Pegasus class patrol boats and the Jetfoil ferries. It used computer-controlled fully submerged foils and waterjet propulsion with one foil at the bow and 2 on the sides. Only one of the class was built, but no follow-ons to the rival Grumman boat were built. It was built at Boeing's Renton facility on Lake Washington, along with later hydrofoils. Boeing's previous design was the USS High Point (PCH-1) which used propellers and an aft mounted single foil and forward sides.
Contents |
[edit] Features
- A Proteus gas turbine engine
- 57-tons
- speed in excess of 40 knots.
- 72 feet long
- beam of 35.3 feet
- draft 4.5 feet (foils retracted) or 13.9 feet (foils extended)
- Crew: one officer and 12 enlisted personnel.
- Contract awarded: 1966
- Delivered 8 Mar 68
- Cost $4M.
- Deployment: To Vietnam along with FLAGSTAFF in Nov 69 for riverine operations out of Danang
- Europe Tour: 1971
- Accident: Nov 72 -- she ran onto a coral reef at Caballo Blanco, Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. Not repaired dut to extensive damage.
[edit] Collectible
- Aurora Model
