Katerina Swanson
Patrol torpedo boats, or PT boats, were used by the United States Navy during World War II. They were small, fast, and inexpensive to build, and were known for their speed and manoeuvrability. PT boats were powered by three 12-cylinder gasoline-fueled engines, with a fuel capacity of 3,000 gallons (11,360 litres) of 100 octane avgas. At a cruising speed of 23 knots, each engine consumed about 66 gallons (250 litres) per hour, or 200 gallons (760 litres) per hour for all three engines. At top speed, fuel consumption increased to 500 gallons (1,890 litres) per hour for all three engines, and at a speed of 41 knots, the boat's full fuel capacity would be depleted in about 6 hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3,000 gallons (11,360 liters) of 100 octane avgas |
| Fuel consumption at cruising speed (23 knots) | 66 gallons (250 liters) per hour per engine (200 gallons or 760 liters per hour for all 3 engines) |
| Fuel consumption at top speed | 166 gallons (628 liters) per hour per engine (500 gallons or 1,890 liters per hour for all 3 engines) |
| Fuel consumption at top design speed (41+ knots) | 3,000 gallons in 6 hours |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
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What You'll Learn
- A PT boat carried 3,000 gallons of 100 octane avgas fuel
- Fuel consumption was high, with 66 gallons used per engine per hour at cruising speed
- At top speed, consumption increased to 166 gallons per engine per hour
- PT boats used a lot of high octane fuel for their size
- The huge engines and the fuel they required made PT boats rarely plane at high speeds
A PT boat carried 3,000 gallons of 100 octane avgas fuel
PT boats, or Patrol Torpedo boats, were used by the United States Navy during World War II. These boats were small, fast, and inexpensive to build, and were valued for their manoeuvrability and speed. However, they were also known for their high fuel consumption, with each boat carrying 3,000 gallons of 100 octane avgas fuel.
The high fuel consumption of PT boats was due to their powerful engines. Each boat was equipped with three 12-cylinder gasoline-fuelled engines, which generated a total of 4,500 horsepower and allowed the boats to reach speeds of up to 41 knots. This made them highly effective in combat situations, but also contributed to their high fuel usage.
The fuel carried by PT boats was 100 octane avgas, which is a high-octane aviation gasoline. This type of fuel was necessary to power the boats' engines and enable them to achieve their high speeds. However, it also contributed to the boats' high operating costs, especially during peacetime when fuel prices were not subsidised by wartime spending.
The fuel consumption of PT boats varied depending on their speed and conditions. At a cruising speed of 23 knots, each engine consumed about 66 gallons of fuel per hour, or 200 gallons per hour for all three engines. However, at top speed, fuel consumption increased significantly, with each engine using up to 166 gallons per hour, or 500 gallons per hour for all three engines. As a result, the boats' fuel capacity of 3,000 gallons would be depleted in just 6 hours if they operated at top speed.
The high fuel consumption and operating costs of PT boats led to their eventual disposal after World War II. The boats were no longer considered cost-effective for the Navy, and hundreds of them were stripped of their equipment and burned or otherwise destroyed. Today, only a handful of PT boats survive, preserved as historical artefacts or undergoing restoration.
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Fuel consumption was high, with 66 gallons used per engine per hour at cruising speed
PT boats, or Patrol Torpedo Boats, were used by the US Navy in World War II. These boats were small, fast, and inexpensive to build, but they consumed a lot of high-octane fuel for their size.
The Elco 80' PT Boat is a good example of the fuel consumption of these vessels. This boat had three 12-cylinder Packard gasoline engines, which generated a total of 4,500 horsepower and allowed the boat to reach speeds of up to 41 knots. However, this speed came at a cost: the fuel consumption was very high.
At a cruising speed of 23 knots, each engine consumed about 66 gallons of fuel per hour, or 200 gallons per hour for all three engines combined. This means that the boat's 3,000-gallon fuel capacity would be depleted in just 15 hours at cruising speed.
If the boat operated at top speed, fuel consumption increased even further. At maximum speed, each engine burned through 166 gallons of fuel per hour, or 500 gallons per hour for all three engines. This means that the boat's fuel supply would be exhausted in just 6 hours if it operated continuously at top speed.
The high fuel consumption of PT boats was a significant factor in their disposal after World War II. The US Navy preferred cheaper vessels that did not require as much fuel, especially during peacetime.
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At top speed, consumption increased to 166 gallons per engine per hour
PT boats, or Patrol Torpedo boats, were small, fast, and inexpensive vessels used by the US Navy in World War II. They were valued for their speed and manoeuvrability, but their fuel consumption was high, and they became costly to operate.
The Elco 80-foot PT boats, the largest of the three types of PT boats, had three 12-cylinder Packard gasoline engines, generating a total of 4500 horsepower. At a cruising speed of 23 knots, each engine consumed about 66 gallons per hour, or 200 gallons per hour for all three engines.
However, at top speed, fuel consumption increased significantly. Each engine burned through 166 gallons per hour, resulting in a total fuel consumption of 500 gallons per hour for all three engines. This meant that at their top design speed of 41 knots, the PT boats would deplete their 3000-gallon fuel capacity in approximately six hours.
The high fuel consumption of PT boats was a concern, and it contributed to their disposal after World War II. The boats required a significant amount of fuel to operate, and with the end of the war, they became too expensive for a peacetime Navy.
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PT boats used a lot of high octane fuel for their size
PT boats, or Patrol Torpedo boats, were small, fast, and inexpensive to build. They were used by the United States Navy during World War II. These boats were valued for their speed and manoeuvrability, but they had some drawbacks, including limited armament and fragile construction.
PT boats used a lot of high-octane fuel for their size. A PT boat carried 3,000 gallons (11,360 litres) of 100-octane avgas. At a cruising speed of 23 knots, each engine consumed about 66 gallons (250 litres) per hour, or 200 gallons (760 litres) per hour for all three engines. At top speed, this increased to 500 gallons (1,890 litres) per hour for all three engines. As a result, the 3,000-gallon fuel capacity would be depleted in about six hours if the boat operated at its maximum speed of 41 knots.
The high fuel consumption of PT boats was a concern, and it was one reason why the US Navy rejected stepped hull designs proposed by Elco and Higgins, which would have further increased fuel consumption. The fuel consumption also contributed to the decision to dispose of most PT boats after the war, as they were too expensive to operate for a peacetime Navy.
The large engines and the fuel they required also meant that PT boats rarely achieved their intended speed, even on smooth water. Despite this, PT boats played an important role during World War II, particularly in the Solomon Islands campaign and in disrupting Japanese resupply activities.
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The huge engines and the fuel they required made PT boats rarely plane at high speeds
PT boats, or Patrol Torpedo boats, were used by the United States Navy during World War II. They were small, fast, and inexpensive to build, and were known for their speed and manoeuvrability. The Elco 80-footers were the fastest of the PT boats, with a designed speed of 41 knots.
The huge engines of the PT boats were a significant factor in their performance. The boats were powered by three 12-cylinder gasoline-fueled engines, which were a modified design of the 3A-2500 V-12 liquid-cooled aircraft engine. These engines were built by the Packard Motor Car Company and generated a total of 4,500 horsepower.
However, the large engines also required a substantial amount of fuel. A PT boat carried 3,000 gallons (11,360 litres) of 100 octane avgas. At a cruising speed of 23 knots, each engine consumed about 66 gallons (250 litres) per hour, or 200 gallons (760 litres) per hour for all three engines combined. At top speed, fuel consumption increased significantly, with each engine consuming 166 gallons (628 litres) per hour, or a total of 500 gallons (1,890 litres) per hour for all three engines.
Due to the high fuel consumption of the engines, PT boats rarely achieved their designed speed of 41 knots. At this speed, the 3,000 gallons of fuel would be depleted in about 6 hours. Wartime conditions such as hull fouling and engine wear also impacted the boats' top speed, and maintenance was often required to maintain optimal performance.
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Frequently asked questions
A PT boat carried 3,000 gallons (11,360 liters) of 100 octane avgas.
A normal patrol would last a maximum of 12 hours.
The consumption rate was about 66 gallons (250 liters) per hour for one engine and 200 gallons (760 liters) per hour for all three engines.
At top speed, the consumption rate increased to 166 gallons (628 liters) per hour per engine or 500 gallons (1,890 liters) per hour for all three engines.
At the top speed, the 3,000 gallons of fuel would be used in about 6 hours.
